Comparative efficacy of a new spot-on combination product containing selamectin and sarolaner (Stronghold®Plus) versus fluralaner (Bravecto®) against induced infestations with Ixodes ricinus ticks on cats

Abstract

BackgroundTicks are increasingly reported on cats worldwide, with Ixodes ricinus being a relevant species across Europe and in near by areas of North Africa and the Middle East. Yet there are few acaracidal products with proven efficacy approved for use in cats. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new spot-on formulation containing selamectin and sarolaner with a topical application of fluralaner (Bravecto®) against Ixodes ricinus ticks on cats. To that end, twenty-four (24) cats were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups. The cats in the control group remained untreated. Cats in group 2 were treated with selamectin/sarolaner (Stronghold®Plus; Zoetis) at the minimum recommended dose of 1.0 mg/kg sarolaner and 6.0 mg/kg selamectin on Days 0, 30 and 60. The cats in group 3 received a fluralaner treatment (Bravecto®spot-on solution for cats, MSD) at the minimum recommended dose of 40.0 mg/kg on Day 0. Cats were infested with 50 (± 4) viable, adult, unfed I. ricinus ticks on Days 26, 54, 82 and 89 and ticks were removed for counting 48 h (± 2 h) later.ResultsThree monthly treatments with selamectin/sarolaner provided high and consistent efficacy against I. ricinus for the entire duration of the study period. In contrast, the efficacy of fluralaner declined in the second month after treatment and was below the efficacy threshold of 90% on Days 56, 84 and 91. The percentage efficacy against I. ricinus was numerically higher in the selemectin/sarolaner treated group than in the fluralaner-treated group on Days 56, 84 and 91. Furthermore, greasiness and spiking of the hair, as well as white deposits were frequently observed in the fluralaner-treated cats.ConclusionThe results of the present study confirm the high and consistent efficacy of a new spot-on combination product containing selamectin and sarolaner against I. ricinus in cats, and indicate a decline in fluralaner efficacy during the 91 day period after treatment.

The molecular targets of ivermectin and lotilaner in the human louse Pediculus humanus humanus: New prospects for the treatment of pediculosis

“…Since ivermectin and lotilaner are efficient at killing human lice, it is tempting to suggest that a combination of both drugs may have a considerable potential, resulting in an additive or a synergistic effect allowing the control of emerging ivermectin resistant lice and delay or overcome resistance. Such a therapeutic option was recently achieved with the release of fluralaner combined with moxidectin [ 84 , 85 ], afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime [ 86 ] and sarolaner combined either with selamectin [ 87 , 88 ] or moxidectin and pyrantel on the veterinary market for small animals [ 89 ]. Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that further investigations on the efficacy of lotilaner alone or in combination with ivermectin for general use as pediculicides would be particularly pertinent and justified.…”

Safety and efficacy of a new spot-on formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner in the treatment and control of naturally occurring flea infestations in cats presented as veterinary patients in Australia

“…Ctenocephalides felis has been reported to develop resistance to some of the older classes of ectoparasiticides [1], but the lack of or reduced efficacy of flea products reported in the field is generally most likely due to poor owner compliance, high environmental flea burden, poor understanding of flea biology or different susceptibility of fleas [3,10,13,35]. Inclusion of sarolaner in the new spot-on formulation will complement the pulicidal activity of selamectin as well as provide effective control Table 2 Flea counts, ranges of counts and arithmetic mean (AM) efficacy at each time point for primary cats treated with selamectin (6-12 mg/kg) plus sarolaner (1-2 mg/kg) in two clinical field studies in Australia against ticks [22][23][24]. The new spot-on formulation was also demonstrated to have rapid speed of kill following administration thus killing the fleas before they can lay eggs [20,21], and was effective in reducing the environmental flea burden [36] thereby reducing the risk of spreading vector-borne diseases caused by R. felis and Bartonella spp.…”

“…This is currently marketed in the USA and Europe as Revolution ® Plus or Stronghold ® Plus (Zoetis, New Jersey, USA), respectively. The new spot-on formulation has demonstrated efficacy against heartworm [19], fleas [20,21], various tick species in Europe [22][23][24] and the USA [25,26], intestinal hookworms and roundworms [27,28], and ear mites [29].…”

Distinct molecular targets for macrocyclic lactone and isoxazoline insecticides in the human louse: new prospects for the treatment of pediculosis

“…Since ivermectin and lotilaner are efficient at targeting distinct receptors, it is tempting to suggest that a combination of both drugs may have a considerable potential, resulting in an additive or a synergistic effect allowing the control of emerging ivermectin resistant lice and delay or overcome resistance. Such a therapeutic option was recently achieved with the release of fluralaner combined with moxidectin [82, 83] and sarolaner combined with selamectin on the veterinary market for small animals [84, 85]. Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that further investigations on the efficacy of lotilaner alone or in combination with ivermectin for general use as pediculicides would be particularly pertinent and justified.…”