title: Comparative speed of kill of oral treatments with Simparica™ (sarolaner) and Bravecto®(fluralaner) against induced infestations of Rhipicephalus sanguineus on dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most widely distributed tick species infesting dogs worldwide, which may cause discomfort to the host and transmit diseases. Acaricides with a rapid and sustained speed of kill are thus important to prevent infestation and to reduce the risk of disease transmission. In this study, the speed of kill of a monthly administered Simparica™ (sarolaner) treatment against induced infestations with R. sanguineus on dogs was evaluated and compared with a single dose of Bravecto®(fluralaner) for 95 days after the initial treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four dogs were randomly allocated to treatment and were treated with either placebo or sarolaner (at 2 to 4 mg/kg) on Days 0, 30 and 60 or with fluralaner (at 25 to 56 mg/kg) once on Day 0. Tick counts were performed in situ 8 and 12 h and with removal of the ticks 24 h after treatment and subsequent re-infestations on Days 14, 28, 44, 56, 74, 90 and 95. Acaricidal efficacy was determined at each time point relative to the placebo group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both products significantly reduced live ticks within 8 h after treatment against an existing infestation with R. sanguineus, and killed all ticks on all dogs within 24 h. After re-infestation, sarolaner provided ≥98.5 % reduction within 24 h on all days except Days 74 and 95 (P < 0.0001), compared to fluralaner which provided ≥95.5 % reduction until Day 44. Geometric mean live tick counts for sarolaner were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.0415) at 24 h than those for fluralaner on all days, except on Days 0, 14 and 28 (P ≥ 0.0678). There were no treatment-related adverse reactions observed during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When dosed at monthly intervals for 3 consecutive months, Simparica™ has a faster and more consistent speed of kill against R. sanguineus than a single oral dose of Bravecto® for which efficacy decreased after Day 44.
authors.affiliation: Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, B-1930, Zaventem, Belgium. csilla.becskei@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: Csilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becskei
authors.affiliation: Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, B-1930, Zaventem, Belgium. thomas.geurden@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Geurden
authors.affiliation: ClinVet International (pty) Ltd, Uitsigweg, Bainsvlei, 9338, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa. julian.liebenberg@clinvet.com.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liebenberg
authors.affiliation: Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, B-1930, Zaventem, Belgium. otto.cuppens@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cuppens
authors.affiliation: Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA. sean.mahabir@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mahabir
authors.affiliation: Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA. robert.six@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Six
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018884:Ixodes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011897:Random Allocation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D007555:Isoxazoles; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010919:Placebos; C000589002:afoxolaner