Efficacy of Droncit Spot-on (praziquantel) 4% w/v against immature and mature Echinococcus multilocularis in cats.
The causative agent of alveolar hydatidosis in humans, the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is extending its geographical range in Europe and has been found in domestic cats in some areas. A dermally applied cestocidal treatment for domestic cats has been developed and the efficacy of this treatment is reported. Thirty purpose-bred cats were experimentally infected each with 10000 protoscoleces of Echinococcus multilocularis. Ten days later one group of ten cats was treated with Droncit(R) Spot-on (Praziquantel) 4% w/v dermally in one place on the dorsal aspect of the neck at a dose of 8 mg/kg. Eleven days later (21 days p.i.) a second group of ten cats was also treated with Droncit(R) Spot-on the same way. One group of ten cats was left untreated as controls. Twenty three days after infection the cats were examined for the presence of E. multilocularis tapeworms. No E. multilocularis were recovered from any of the cats in either of the treated groups. Echinococcus multilocularis were recovered from eight of the ten cats left untreated as controls. The worm burdens in the untreated cats were 0, 0, 5, 15, 75, 110, 220, 815, 2635, and 3045 worms per cat. The worms ranged in development from the three to four segment stage. Many of the E. multilocularis with four segments contained unshelled eggs in the terminal segment. This study indicates that Droncit(R) Spot-on (Praziquantel) 4% w/v applied dermally at 8 mg/kg is highly effective in removing E. multilocularis from the small intestine of cats infected with immature and mature (prepatent) infections of E. multilocularis. In the cats with the mature infections all tapeworms were absent from the small intestine within 2 days of treatment.
Australian Hydatid control and Epidemiology Program, 12 Mildura Street, ACT 2609, Fyshwick, Australia. djenkins@effect.net.au
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Jenkins
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Romig
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel