A field trial evaluation of the prophylactic efficacy of amitraz-impregnated collars against canine babesiosis (Babesia canis rossi) in South Africa.
South African canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi is a common clinical disease in dogs in South Africa and remains a significant cause of domestic dog mortality. To determine whether tick-repellent, 9% amitraz-impregnated tick collars (Preventic-Virbac) could prevent tick-borne exposure to B. canis rossi, 50 dogs were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (20 dogs), polymerase chain reaction (PCR)--and reverse line blot (RLB)-negative for B. canis rossi, were fitted with amitraz collars and blood samples collected monthly, over a 6-month period, and analysed for B. canis rossi. Group 2 (30 dogs) included 5 dogs selected on a month-by-month basis from a population of dogs from the same geographical area as the group 1 dogs, but with no history of previous tick control, which were blood-sampled together with the treatment group and analysed for B. canis rossi by PCR and RLB, to serve as the control group. Eight of the 30 control dogs (26.6%) were PCR/RLB positive for B. canis rossi, indicating high pathogen exposure during the trial period. All twenty of the treatment group dogs remained negative for B. canis rossi throughout the 6 months of the trial. These results suggest that the use of amitraz-impregnated collars had a significant effect on reducing infection with B. canis rossi.
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Vetdiagnostix-Veterinary Pathology Services, P.O. Box 13624, Cascades, 3202, South Africa. vetdiagnostix@futurenet.co.za
Hill
J M
JM
Matjila
P T
PT
Rème
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D001403:Babesia / Q000254:growth & development; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018884:Ixodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D013019:South Africa; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods*; D014052:Toluidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007306:Insecticides; D014052:Toluidines; C014983:amitraz