Efficiency of fluralaner pour-on in different strategic control protocols against Rhipicephalus microplus on Brangus cattle in a tropical area

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of higher winter temperatures in Brazilian areas with tropical and highland climates may result in a fifth peak of tick populations during winter in addition to the four generations previously described. Therefore, a strategic control protocol was developed with treatments in two seasons with the objective of controlling the generations of ticks that occur in spring/summer and those that occur in autumn/winter.

METHODS

The study was conducted in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from the beginning of the rainy season, November 2020, to October 2021. In a randomized block design, 36 calves were distributed into three groups: (i) negative control; (ii) traditional strategic control in one season (SC1S), at the beginning of the rainy season; and (iii) strategic control in two seasons (SC2S), at the beginning and end of the rainy season. The SC1S strategic control group was treated on day 0, November 2020, and twice more with intervals of 42 days. The SC2S group received three more treatments beginning on day 182, May 2021, with intervals of 42 days. All treatments consisted of 5% fluralaner (Exzolt® 5%) delivered via a pour-on dose of 1 mL/20 kg body weight. Counts of semi-engorged female ticks were performed on day 3 and every 14 days thereafter, and the animals were weighed at the same time.

RESULTS

Fluralaner showed a mean efficacy of more than 95% up to day 294. The two treated groups showed a decrease (P < 0.05) in the average number of ticks on day 3. In the SC2S group, the means were close or equal to zero throughout the study, while in the SC1S group, the means did not differ (P > 0.05) from those of the control group from day 231 onward. The final mean weight gain of each group was 76.40 kg, 98.63 kg, and 115.38 kg for the control, SC1S, and SC2S groups, respectively, differing (P < 0.05) from each other.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, three applications of fluralaner, with one application every 42 days from the beginning of the rainy season in the middle spring, resulted in effective tick control for 224 days. When three additional treatments were given in autumn/winter with intervals of 42 days between applications, tick counts were reduced throughout the year. This strategic control approach may be indicated in years with climatic conditions that allow that population peaks are expected to occur in the autumn/winter period.

Giant cutaneous cyst in a dog infected by Cercopithifilaria bainae

Cercopithifilaria bainae is the most prevalent species of filarioids within the genus. This parasite localizes in the skin, sometimes causing erythematous dermatitis. Herein, the authors describe a case of giant cutaneous cyst in a dog infected by Cercopithifilaria bainae. A 9-year-old male mixed-breed dog presented to a veterinary facility in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (Midwest Brazil) with a mass in the lumbosacral region. On clinical examination, the mass was observed to be approximately 15 cm in diameter with a floating consistency and conspicuous presence of viscous fluid; the lesion, however, was non-ulcerated and non-adherent. Cytological examination revealed the presence of moderate lymphocyte cellularity and foamy macrophages, erythrophagocytosis and the presence of numerous microfilariae. After morphological and molecular analysis of the 12S ribosomal RNA gene, the microfilariae were identified as C. bainae, exhibiting 99-100% identity with DNA sequences available from Genbank. Surgery was recommended and after resection of the giant cyst, the dog was treated with ivermectin for two weeks and the clinical condition was completely resolved. Based on the presence of microfilariae in the cyst fluid the role of this filarioid in the determinism of the lesion has been discussed.

Combination of quercetin and ivermectin: In vitro and in vivo effects against Haemonchus contortus

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of quercetin combined with ivermectin (IVM) on Haemonchus contortus larvae and adults with different resistance profiles and demonstrate the in vivo anthelmintic action of this combination when used in sheep naturally infected. The effect of combination was evaluated based on the analysis of the mean effective concentration (EC50) obtained for larvae using the larval migration inhibition test and for adults using the motility test on females. The tests with larvae and adults were conducted using isolates with different degrees of susceptibility to IVM (sensitive, intermediate and highly resistant). The in vivo effect was evaluated based on the reduction in the egg count (FEC) and reduction in the count of adult helminths recovered after parasitological necropsy. Using the combination of quercetin with IVM, it was observed that in larvae, quercetin did not significantly reduce the EC50 for IVM in the sensitive and highly resistant isolates, but led to a significant reduction in the EC50 for IVM in the intermediate isolate. In adults, quercetin did not significantly reduce the EC50 for IVM in any of the isolates. No significant effect of the combination was found regarding the reduction in FEC or total count of parasites. The results of the in vitro and in vivo tests performed in the present study on quercetin activity underscore the importance of evaluating resistance-reversing agents among different stages of parasite development as well as among isolates with different resistance profiles. The action of quercetin combined with IVM on the motility of H. contortus larvae and adults was influenced by the degree of resistance and development stage of the parasite. The combination was effective only on intermediate resistant larvae. No action of the combination against adults was found. Moreover, this combination, when administered through the intra-abomasal route, was not effective at reducing the FEC and parasite load of naturally infected sheep.