title: Efficacy of 65% permethrin applied to dogs as a spot-on against Phlebotomus perniciosus.
abstract: Leishmania infantum is a protozoan parasite causing leishmaniosis, a visceral disease transmitted by the bites of sand flies. As the main reservoir of the parasite, dogs are the principal targets of control measures against this disease, which affects both humans and dogs. Several studies have revealed the usefulness of topical insecticide treatment (collars, spot-ons and sprays) in reducing the incidence and prevalence of L. infantum. The present study was designed to test the efficacy of 65% permethrin applied to dogs as a spot-on against the sand fly vector Phlebotomus perniciosus. The duration of the desired effects was also estimated to help design an optimal treatment regimen. Twelve dogs assigned to treatment (n=6) and control (n=6) groups were exposed to sand flies once a week over a seven-week period. Repellent and insecticidal efficacies were estimated and compared amongst the groups. Our findings indicate satisfactory repellent, or anti-feeding, effects lasting 3 weeks and short-term insecticidal effects lasting 2 weeks after initial application. Accordingly, we recommend the use of this product every 2-3 weeks during the active phlebotomine sand fly period to protect dogs against the bites of P. perniciosus.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. rmolina@isciii.es
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Espinosa-Góngora
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gálvez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Descalzo
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dado
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miró
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018314:Leishmania infantum; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D026023:Permethrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D026023:Permethrin