1
|
Bisterfeld K, Raulf MK, Springer A, Lang J, Lierz M, Strube C, Siebert U. Ectoparasites of the European wildcat ( Felis silvestris) in Germany. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 25:100977. [PMID: 39297145 PMCID: PMC11407961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the impact of parasites on wildlife populations is an important aspect of conservation management. However, research on ectoparasites in wildlife can be difficult, as examinations of live animals which are not habituated to human handling are often impossible. The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a strictly protected wildlife species whose population has been recovering in Germany in recent decades. Several studies from different European countries have investigated the parasitological status of European wildcat populations. However, most of these studies assessed endoparasite infections, whereas ectoparasite infestations have often been neglected. To fill this knowledge gap for wildcats in Germany, 131 dead found specimens were examined for ectoparasites by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the fur and the ear canals. Infestation with ectoparasites was present in 84.0% (110/131) of the wildcats. Ticks showed the highest prevalence with 72.5% (95/131) of wildcats infested, with 49.6% (65/131) infested with Ixodes ricinus and 36.6% (48/131) with Ixodes hexagonus/canisuga. A total of 27.5% (36/131) of the wildcats were positive for at least one flea species. Of the nine different flea species identified by morphology and/or molecular analyses, Ceratophyllidae were most common (16.8% [22/131]), with Ceratophyllus sciurorum confirmed on 12.2% (16/131) and Nosopsyllus fasciatus on 1.5% (2/131) animals, followed by Pulex irritans (5.3% [7/131]), Spilopsyllus cuniculi (3.8% [5/131]), Chaetopsylla spp. (3.1% [4/131]) (2/131 Chaetopsylla trichosa and 1/131 Chaetopsylla globiceps), Ctenocephalides felis (1.5% [2/131]), Archaeopsylla erinacei (1.5% [2/131]) and Ctenophthalmus baeticus (0.8% [1/131]). Further, 23.7% (31/131) of the wildcats harboured mites, identified as Trombicula autumnalis in 12.2% (16/131) and Otodectes cynotis in 4.8% (6/124) of cases. The only louse species detected was Felicola hercynianus with a prevalence of 2.3% (3/131). Infestation intensities ranged from 1 to 86 ticks, 1-49 fleas, 1-1896 mites, and 1-92 F. hercynianus per wildcat. This study demonstrates that a variety of ectoparasites infests wildcats in Germany, but they do not seem to have a serious impact on the general health of wildcats, as judged by the hosts' mostly good or very good nutritional condition. In addition, the potential risk to domestic cats (Felis catus) and humans posed by the wildcats' ectoparasites, appears to be low but present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Bisterfeld
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Johannes Lang
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 114, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 114, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Blazejak K, Cvejić D, Hellmann K, Ringeisen H, Hamburg H, Petry G, Knoppe TN, Mencke N. Field efficacy and safety of Felpreva® (tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel) spot-on for the treatment of natural ear mite infestations ( Otodectes cynotis) and notoedric mange ( Notoedres cati) in cats. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 4:100146. [PMID: 37954512 PMCID: PMC10637875 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The miticide efficacy of a single treatment with Felpreva® (tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel) spot-on solution for cats was evaluated in two European field studies. One study was conducted in cats naturally infested with Otodectes cynotis. The other study was conducted in cats naturally infested with Notoedres cati. In both studies, the presence of viable mites was confirmed prior to treatment (Day -1/Day 0) and re-evaluated on Day 14 (O. cynotis study) and on Day 28 (both studies). Efficacy was calculated based on the number of viable mites found after treatment. In the O. cynotis study, the primary criterion was the percentage of mite-free cats after treatment with Felpreva® compared to a sarolaner/selamectin combination (Stronghold® Plus, Zoetis) as a positive control. In the N. cati study, the primary criterion was the difference between arithmetic mean mite counts of cats treated with Felpreva® and cats treated with a placebo formulation (solketal). Secondary criteria in both studies were changes in clinical lesion scores after treatment. In both studies, all Felpreva®-treated cats were mite-free (100% parasitological cure) on Day 28, 4 weeks after treatment. Signs of mange on Day 28 were clinically improved in all O. cynotis-infested cats (100%) and clinically cured in all N. cati-infested cats (100%). There were no records of any adverse events or application site reactions in Felpreva®-treated cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Blazejak
- Vetoquinol S.A., 37 rue de la Victoire, 75009, Paris, France
| | - Dejan Cvejić
- Klifovet GmbH, Geyerspergerstr. 27, 80689, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Hellmann
- Klifovet GmbH, Geyerspergerstr. 27, 80689, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Ringeisen
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Hannah Hamburg
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Gabriele Petry
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Mencke
- Vetoquinol S.A., 37 rue de la Victoire, 75009, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Blazejak K, Viljoen A, Zwiegers R, Klopper R, Ringeisen H, Petry G, Young DR, Shane D, Spruill J, Tessman RK, Settje T, Knoppe TN, Mencke N. Efficacy of Felpreva®, a new spot-on formulation containing tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel, applied as a single application to cats artificially infested with ear mites ( Otodectes cynotis). CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 4:100131. [PMID: 37554314 PMCID: PMC10404537 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of Felpreva® (Vetoquinol), a new spot-on application containing the novel acaricide and insecticide tigolaner in combination with emodepside and praziquantel, was evaluated in cats artificially infested with ear mites (Otodectes cynotis). A total of three pivotal dose confirmation studies were conducted, two of them designed as non-interference studies. Cats were artificially infested with O. cynotis mites and randomly allocated into groups of 8 cats based on pre-treatment mite counts. Cats were treated once on Day 0, either with Felpreva® (14.5 mg/kg tigolaner, 3 mg/kg emodepside and 12 mg/kg praziquantel) or with placebo. Studies with a non-interference design included two additional groups of cats, treated with Profender® spot-on solution (Vetoquinol) (3 mg/kg emodepside and 12 mg/kg praziquantel) and tigolaner as a mono product (14.5 mg/kg tigolaner). Efficacy was evaluated on Day 28/Day 30 based on total live mite counts after ear flushing. Efficacy was claimed when: (i) at least six control cats per group were adequately infested with mites; (ii) calculated efficacy was ≥ 90% based on geometric mean mite counts; and (iii) the difference in mite counts between Felpreva®-treated cats and control cats was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). In two of the three studies, Felpreva®-treated cats were mite-free (100% efficacy) on Day 28/Day 30 and almost full efficacy (99.6%) was seen in the third study. The difference in mite counts between Felpreva®-treated cats and control cats was significant (P < 0.0001) in all three studies. All control cats were adequately infested in all three studies. The efficacy of Felpreva® against ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infection in cats was confirmed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alta Viljoen
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 11186, 9321 Universitas, South Africa
| | - Reinier Zwiegers
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 11186, 9321 Universitas, South Africa
| | - Roland Klopper
- Clindata International (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 11186, 9321 Universitas, South Africa
| | - Hannah Ringeisen
- Elanco Animal Health Company, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Gabriele Petry
- Elanco Animal Health Company, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - David R. Young
- Young Veterinary Research Services, 3000 Spengler Way, Turlock, CA 95380, USA
| | - Douglas Shane
- Young Veterinary Research Services, 3000 Spengler Way, Turlock, CA 95380, USA
| | - Jennifer Spruill
- Young Veterinary Research Services, 3000 Spengler Way, Turlock, CA 95380, USA
| | - Ronald K. Tessman
- Elanco Animal Health, 2500 Innovation Way, Greenfield, IN 46140, USA
| | - Terry Settje
- Elanco Animal Health, 2500 Innovation Way, Greenfield, IN 46140, USA
| | | | - Norbert Mencke
- Vetoquinol S.A., 37 Rue de la Victoire, 75009 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He R, Zhang Q, Gu X, Xie Y, Xu J, Peng X, Yang G. Transcriptome Analysis of Otodectes cynotis in Different Developmental Stages. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:687387. [PMID: 35444625 PMCID: PMC9014205 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.687387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mite Otodectes cynotis is distributed worldwide and parasitism the ear canals of cats and dogs, causing otitis externa. Molecular biology of O. cynotis is poorly understood, with only a few genes being deposited in public databases. In the present study, we aimed to perform transcriptome analysis of O. cynotis using SMRT and Illumina sequencing of RNA from different development stages. SMRT-Seq of O. cynotis demonstrated 5,431 final transcripts, including 406 long non-coding RNAs and 2,698 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 1,357 up-regulated genes and 1,341 down-regulated genes between adult mites and nymph/larva. A total of 397 putative allergen genes were detected, 231 of which were DEGs. Among them, 77 were homologous of known mite allergens. The expression level of allergen genes hints at the pathogenicity of mites in different life stages, and the protein interaction network analysis could identify possible key genes in the pathogenic mechanism. Intriguingly, Gene Ontology analysis showed that most of the (DEGs) were associated with the terms hydrolase activity and proteolysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis identified drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 signal pathway as one of the top pathways. SMRT-Seq of the full-length transcriptome of O. cynotis was performed first, and a valuable resource was acquired through the combination analysis with the Illumina sequencing data. The results of our analyses provide new information for further research into Otodectes cynotis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ran He
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuerong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|