Laboratory evaluations of the immediate and sustained effectiveness of lotilaner (Credelio™) against three common species of ticks affecting dogs in Europe

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a continuing need for novel approaches to tick control in dogs. One such approach lies in the ability of lotilaner (Credelio™), an isoxazoline with a rapid onset of action, to provide sustained efficacy against ticks. Two studies were undertaken to confirm lotilaner’s efficacy, at the minimum dose rate of 20 mg/kg, against the three most common tick species in Europe.MethodsIn each of two studies, 16 Beagle dogs, at least 6 months old, were ranked and blocked by tick counts from infestations placed approximately 1 week before treatment. Within blocks, dogs were randomized to receive either lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets at as close as possible to, but not less than the minimum dose rate of 20 mg/kg, or to be sham-treated controls. Study 1 assessed lotilaner efficacy against concurrent infestations with 50 (± 6) Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 70 (± 6) Ixodes ricinus; Study 2 infestations were with 50 (± 2) Dermacentor reticulatus. Infestations were performed on Day -2 with counts on Day 2, 48 (± 2) hours post-treatment. Post-treatment infestations were performed on Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and ticks were counted 48 (±2) hours post-infestations. Efficacy was determined by the percent reduction in mean live tick counts.ResultsControl group infestations for each tick species were adequate for assessing lotilaner efficacy at all assessment times. On Day 2 no live ticks were found on any lotilaner-treated dog. For subsequent counts, in Study 1 lotilaner was 100% effective in eliminating live I. ricinus and R. sanguineus on all but two occasions for each tick; on each of those occasions efficacy was sustained at greater than 98.0%. In Study 2, except for a single unattached live tick found on Day 16, efficacy against D. reticulatus was 100% at every post-treatment assessment.ConclusionThe high and sustained efficacy against the three common species of ticks in Europe, R. sanguineus, I. ricinus and D. reticulatus, demonstrates that lotilaner can be a valuable tool in the treatment of canine tick infestations. Lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets were well tolerated and effectiveness was sustained through at least 35 days.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2477-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. See Additional file 1 for the French translation of the Abstract.

Management Options for Ixodes ricinus-Associated Pathogens: A Review of Prevention Strategies

“…but not Ixodes ricinus [97] and a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in canines [98]. Additionally, various acaricides can be applied directly on animal skin, though most require multiple applications over the course of a tick season [99,100].…”

Laboratory evaluation of the efficacy of lotilaner (Credelio™) against Amblyomma cajennense (sensu lato) infestations of dogs

“…One study demonstrated efficacy of 70% against existing infestations with I. ricinus within four hours post-treatment [ 17 ]. A report of a series of studies involving experimental infestations with commonly occurring European ticks showed that lotilaner efficacy remained at least 95% through 35 days post-treatment and a field study across three European countries subsequently confirmed lotilaner effectiveness against field challenge [ 18 , 23 ]. Similar efficacy was reported following induced infestations of commonly occurring ticks in North America [ 24 ].…”

“…Following oral administration under fed conditions, peak lotilaner concentrations are reached within two hours, with a corresponding rapid onset of activity against fleas and ticks [ 15 – 17 ]. Lotilaner efficacy has been demonstrated against a number of tick species including, but not limited to, Rhipicephalus sanguineus ( sensu lato ), Dermacentor reticulatus , Dermacentor variabilis , Ixodes scapularis , Ixodes ricinus and Amblyomma americanum [ 18 , 19 ]. With a half-life of 30 days, lotilaner has been shown to provide at least a month of activity against infesting ticks [ 15 , 17 – 19 ].…”

Efficacy of a novel chewable tablet containing sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel (Simparica Trio™) against four common tick species infesting dogs in Europe

“…Efficacy results for the combination product in the current studies are comparable to those for similarly designed laboratory studies that evaluated the efficacy of single active isoxazoline parasiticides against the same tick species. In published studies, against existing infestations of D. reticulatus, I. ricinus or R. sanguineus, a single oral dose of afoxolaner [11,12] or lotilaner [13] provided ≥ 96.0% reduction in geometric mean tick counts relative to placebo 48 hours after treatment, and Table 3 Arithmetic mean live Ixodes hexagonus counts for dogs dosed once orally with sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel and efficacy relative to placebo (Study 3)…”