title: Full season efficacy of moxidectin microsphere sustained release formulation for the prevention of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs.
abstract: The authors report the efficacy of an injectable, moxidectin sustained release (SR) formulation for the prevention of canine heartworm infection in endemic areas in northern and central Italy. Three field trials were carried out on a total of 324 dogs. Two hundred forty-three dogs were treated with moxidectin SR 6 months apart and 81 dogs (positive controls) with moxidectin tablets given monthly for 5 consecutive months during the risk season each year throughout the study. Results of testing for microfilariae and circulating adult female antigens were negative for all the experimentally treated dogs at the 6, 7, 11 and 19 months after the last injection. No adverse reactions to moxidectin SR were observed but a moderate pain at palpation and swelling (5-6 cm) at the injection site after the first treatment. In the study areas, prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection calculated by testing dogs which had no preventive treatment in the previous transmission season ranged from 33 to 63%. This study confirms the efficacy and safety of injectable, moxidectin SR formulation in the prevention of heartworm infection in dogs and demonstrates that the prophylactic efficacy lasts for the full season and strongly suggests that the product gives 1-year protection.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Patologia Veterinaria, Igiene e Salute Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy. claudio.genchi@unimi.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genchi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardini
authors.forename: Laura H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venco
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casiraghi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genchi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agostini
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D007558:Italy; D018942:Macrolides; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000469:parasitology; D008863:Microspheres
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018942:Macrolides; C027837:moxidectin