Investigations into the prevention of prenatal and lactogenic Toxocara canis infections in puppies by application of moxidectin to the pregnant dog

Aim of the investigation was to examine whether two administrations of moxidectin to pregnant dogs could prevent pre-natal and lactogenic infections of puppies with reactivated Toxocara canis larvae. Four pregnant beagles, infected experimentally with 20 000 embryonated eggs of T. canis, were treated subcutaneously with 1 mg moxidectin per kg body weight on days 40 and 55 of pregnancy (5-13 days before parturition). One further dam and its puppies served as untreated control. Two applications of moxidectin completely prevented pre-natal and lactogenic infections in the puppies. Neither intestinal stages nor somatic larvae were found in the dams or their corresponding puppies. All puppies and dams of the treatment group remained coproscopically negative until 42 days after parturition. The administration of moxidectin did not show any side effects in the dams. None of the puppies of the treated dams showed any pathological abnormalities. In the untreated dam one adult and 26 somatic larvae of T. canis were detected at necropsy. All puppies of the untreated dam showed a patent T. canis infection from day 28 post-natum (p.n.); 296 pre-adult and adult stages of T. canis were spontaneously eliminated and 51 intestinal stages and five somatic larvae of T. canis were recovered at necropsy. In contrast to the puppies of the treated dams all negative control puppies showed blood eosinophilia after parturition and elevated liver enzyme levels.     

Fenbendazole for treatment of Paragonimus kellicotti infection in dogs.

The effect of fenbendazole therapy was studied in 9 dogs with pulmonary paragonimiasis induced by inoculation of metacercariae (25/dog) of Paragonimus kellicotti. At 42 to 47 days after 6 dogs were inoculated, they were given fenbendazole in 2 divided doses totaling 50 mg (4 dogs) or 100 mg (2 dogs)/kg of body weight each day for 10 to 14 days. Three dogs were not treated. The passage of Paragonimus eggs in the feces ceased after 3 days at the high dosage and after 3 to 8 days at the low dosage. All dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on day 14. Live flukes were not recovered from the lungs of any treated dog, but 15, 19, and 23 live flukes were recovered from the untreated dogs.     

Zoonotic risk of Toxocara canis infection through consumption of pig or poultry viscera

The potential zoonotic risk of Toxocara canis infections from consumption of swine or poultry viscera containing larvae was assessed using a pig model. Two groups of six pigs were fed either fresh swine viscera (group FS) or poultry viscera (FP) containing around 3500 Toxocara larvae. Another two groups of six pigs were fed swine viscera (PS) or poultry viscera (PP) preserved at 4 degrees C for 1 week. All pigs were necropsied 14 days after the exposure. Liver white spots were counted and T. canis specific IgG antibodies were measured by ELISA. Larval burdens were assessed in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, brain, tongue, and eyes. All recipient pigs exhibited several white spots on the liver surface and detectable antibody levels. Larvae were recovered predominantly from the lungs, but also from the mesenteric lymph nodes and the liver, a few larvae were found in the brain and tongue of the pigs. Two larvae were found in the eyes of two pigs in group FS. Mean percentages of total larval recoveries in groups FS, FP, PS, and PP were 75.3, 63.6, 42.6, and 18.8%, respectively. Significantly higher numbers of larvae were recovered from pigs given swine viscera than pigs given poultry viscera. The preservation at 4 degrees C for 1 week caused a significant reduction in the larval infectivity overall, nevertheless, the recoveries remained substantial. The fact that larvae migrating in swine or poultry organs and tissues have high infectivity in pigs even after preservation at 4 degrees C for 1 week, suggests that human infection with T. canis might easily occur following consumption of raw or undercooked dishes, either fresh or refrigerated, prepared from swine or poultry organs and tissues harbouring T. canis larvae.     

Patent Toxocara canis infections in previously exposed and in helminth-free dogs after infection with low numbers of embryonated eggs

The outcome of Toxocara canis infections in the canine host depends on the migratory pathway of parasite larvae (somatic or tracheal) which is considered to be related to the host's age and its immune status. However, field studies attest high prevalences of patent T. canis infections in adult animals. The controlled induction of patent infections with low doses of embryonated eggs was investigated in 18 beagles in a 7-month study until their 16th life month. The animals were assigned to three groups, each consisting of three vertically infected dogs (with a short patent infection as pups before anthelmintic treatment) and three helminth-free dogs. At study days 10 and 40, the animals of groups 1 and 3 were given each 100 embryonated T. canis eggs. In each case, group 1 was treated 10 days post-infection with Milbemax, while dogs of group 3 remained untreated. Control group 2 was not experimentally infected but treated as group 1. Two weeks after first egg administration, a sharp increase of specific antibody reactions in ELISA and increased eosinophilic counts indicated larval invasion in all infected dogs. 42-56 days following first infection, patent infections were detected coproscopically in all animals of group 3, but in none of the uninfected dogs (group 2) or the infected and treated dogs (group 1). Following a 3-month observation period, all animals of the three groups were treated with piperazine citrate to eliminate intestinal infections and all were administered 100 embryonated eggs. Subsequently, patent infections developed in animals of all groups: in one of the infected and treated animals of group 1, in five of the so far not infected control group 2 and in four of the dogs with previous patent infections (group 3). Susceptibility to patent infections was not significantly altered in T. canis-free dogs compared to dogs with previous patent infection (vertically acquired or experimentally induced). However, dogs of group 1 treated with Milbemax after repeated egg administration developed a significantly increased resistance to patent infections as compared to control dogs (group 2). Observed prepatency periods were between 40 and 56 days and did not differ in the three groups. Even in urban areas, facing high infection pressure with Toxocara eggs maintained by a high dog and fox population, dogs of all ages are at risk to develop patent T. canis infections.     

Anthelmintic effect of levamisole hydrochloride or ivermectin on tissue toxocariasis of mice

Paranatal transmission of Toxocara canis infection could be prevented in pups if an effective drug were administered to pregnant bitches. This drug also could eliminate the larvae in dogs that have been experimentally infected repeatedly to produce protective immunity. For these reasons, we assayed the effect of 2 doses of levamisole hydrochloride or ivermectin on T canis larvae. Mice (5 groups) were infected with 1,000 infective T canis larvae and then treated with 2 different dosages of levamisole hydrochloride (6 mg/kg or 12 mg/kg, given subcutaneously), 2 different dosages of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg or 0.4 mg/kg, given IM) or 0.15M NaCl (given subcutaneously) once a day from days 15 to 28 of infection. On day 33 of infection, the parasites in liver, lungs, brain, and carcass were obtained and compared between groups. The smaller dosage of levamisole hydrochloride (6 mg/kg) significantly decreased only carcass parasitism to 17% of that in the controls, but did not affect significantly the total parasite load. The larger dosage of levamisole hydrochloride (12 mg/kg) decreased the infection in all organs, but particularly in carcass and brain; total parasitism was only 36% of that in the controls. The smaller dosage of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of larvae in the lungs to 550% of that in the controls, but it did not significantly affect the total parasite load. The larger dosage of ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg) significantly decreased only brain parasitism, but liver and total parasitism were decreased to 40% and 57%, respectively, compared with that in the controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prenatal and transmammary infections of Toxocara canis in dogs: effect of benzimidazole-carbamate anthelmintics on various developmental stages of the parasite

Fenbendazole and albendazole, given at a dose rate of 150 mg/kg for 3 days, produced a 90 per cent reduction in the numbers of second stage larvae of Toxocara canis present in the tissues of dogs although no reduction in the number of larvae found in the brains of infected dogs occurred with this treatment. The results suggest that a course of 3 day therapy with these anthelmintics should prevent prenatal infections in puppies. However, if infection is acquired by bitches during late pregnancy or early lactation, the transmammary route of infection becomes important. Therefore, anthelmintic treatment of the bitch prior to pregnancy will not prevent transmission of infection to her puppies should the bitch acquire a new infection of T. canis during pregnancy or early lactation. Alternatively, infection with T. canis can be controlled through the treatment of neonatal puppies for migrating larvae of T. canis. Treatment of newborn puppies with fenbendazole, albendazole or oxfendazole at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 2–3 days produced a 91–99 per cent reduction in the number of adult parasites found. In addition, a single dose of fenbendazole, given at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg, eliminated 93–96 per cent of adult T. canis from the intestines of 4–5-week-old puppies. These latter treatments would need to be repeated to eliminate completely the infection from puppies.     

Transmission of Ehrlichia canis to dogs by ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

Two strains of Rhipicephalus sanguineus acquired Ehrlichia canis by feeding as either larvae or nymphs on acutely infected dogs and, in subsequent instars, transmitted the agent to normal dogs. Three strains of R sanguineus transmitted E canis as adults after their larval and nymphal stages fed on infected dogs. More than 400 adult female ticks were fed on infected dogs as larvae or nymphs or both, but none transmitted E canis transovarially.     

The effect of radiation on the viability and migratory ability of second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis in mice

Larval counts were made on mice 2 days after oral inoculation with X-ray (0-320 Krad) or of gamma ray (0-6 Mrad) irradiated eggs containing second-stage Toxocara canis larvae. The majority of the larvae irradiated with 0-40 Krad were recovered from the liver and lungs, while most of the larvae irradiated with 80 or 160 Krad remained in the digestive tract, mainly in the stomach and the proximal half of the small intestine. Only a small number of the 320 Krad irradiated larvae was recovered from the mice. No significant difference was observed in the viability of irradiated larvae incubated in vitro up to 13 days after irradiation. However, a substantial percentage of the 160 and 320 Krad-irradiated larvae hatched during that period. Very few larvae were recovered from the digestive tract of mice inoculated with eggs irradiated with 0.5 Mrad, and only one and four larvae were recovered from the liver and lungs of a mouse. No visceral larval migration was observed in mice inoculated with 1 Mrad-irradiated eggs. The minimum lethal radiation dose for second-stage T. canis larvae in eggs is proposed to be 1 Mrad.     

Efficacy of fenbendazole granules and pyrantel pamoate suspension against Toxocara canis in greyhounds housed in contaminated runs.

The efficacy of fenbendazole granules against Toxocara canis in naturally infected greyhounds housed in contaminated environments was evaluated. Eight pens, each containing three to seven greyhounds, 3-12 months of age, were randomly allotted into two treatment groups. Greyhounds in Group 1 were treated with fenbendazole granules mixed in their feed at 50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days once a month for 4 months. Greyhounds in Group 2 were treated with pyrantel pamoate suspension at 5.0 mg/kg per os once a month for 4 months. Quantitative fecal examinations were performed on days 0, 10 and then on the first day of each monthly treatment. Greyhounds administered fenbendazole had fecal egg count reductions (FECRs) of 95.8 and 99.8% at 10 and 31 days following initial treatment, respectively. Greyhounds administered pyrantel pamoate had FECRs of 85.8 and 88.3% at 10 and 31 days after the first treatment, respectively. T. canis fecal egg counts conducted from Day 31 through Day 128 were significant lower in those greyhounds administered fenbendazole as compared to greyhounds administered pyrantel pamoate. Fenbendazole produced FECRs in greyhounds from Day 31 through Day 128 by 96.8-99.8%. Pyrantel pamoate reduced fecal egg counts during the same time period 71.4-98.3%.     

Experimental infection with Toxocara cati in BALB/c mice, migratory behaviour and pathological changes

Experimental inoculations of 1000 Toxocara cati larval eggs were carried out in 18 BALB/c mice. The T. cati eggs used for inoculation were collected from the faeces of naturally infected cats. Euthanasia was performed on two mice on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 21 and 28 post-inoculation (p.i.). Tissue samples were taken for digestion and histopathology. Larvae were recovered from all infected mice and the average of all larvae recovered was 28.3% (95%; CI: 14.1-42.4). Maximum number was obtained from liver on days 1 and 2 p.i.; from the lung on day 2 p.i. and from the brain on day 28 p.i. In muscle, the recovery was high as from day 3 p.i., with the maximum obtained on day 28 p.i. Superficial foci of congestion and haemorrhage were macroscopically observed in the lungs between days 2 and 5 p.i. and in the brain between days 3 and 6 p.i. Microscopic lesions were observed in the liver between days 2 and 14 p.i., with periportal and subcapsule inflammatory infiltrates. In the lungs, haemorrhages and inflammatory infiltrates can be observed in the alveolar parenchyma, close to bronchioles and large blood vessels. In the brain, congestive areas without inflammatory reactions were seen. In muscle, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and degenerated muscle can be observed surrounding a parasite larva. These same lesions were observed in myocardium and pericardium. The kidneys were congested with inflammatory infiltrates. The inflammatory cells present in all the tissues studied were lymphocytes, neutrophils and a few eosinophils. Formation of granulomas or signs of larva encapsulation were not observed. The migratory pattern of T. cati larvae in BALB/c mice and its tendency to become concentrated in the muscle reinforce the importance of the mouse as a paratenic host for the parasite's cycle in the environment.     

Susceptibility of fourth-stage Ascaris suum larvae to fenbendazole and to host response in the pig

Fenbendazole given at the rate of 2.5 g/kg of feed for 3 days had 100% efficacy against 4th-stage Ascaris suum larvae in 8 pigs. Eight control pigs had a total of 108 A suum. In 6 pigs infected 3 times with 3rd-stage A suum larvae and treated with fenbendazole after the larvae molted to the 4th stage, the challenge exposure-derived population was decreased by 64%. Similar sequential infections in 6 pigs similarly infected, but not treated with fenbendazole, decreased the challenge exposure-derived population by 98%; however, developing and/or adult worms from the vaccinating infections were present.     

四种剂型阿维菌素对肉用犬疥螨病的疗效试验

四种剂型阿维菌素 (粉剂、片剂、注射剂、浇注剂 )以 0 .2 mg/kg剂量治疗肉用犬疥螨病 ,间隔 7天重复用药 1次 ,治愈率均为 1 0 0 %,且安全无副作用。     

硝唑尼特治疗犬贾第虫病的研究

选择试验犬8只,将其随机分为4个小组,每组2只.连续6 d对8只试验犬分剐进行粪检,确定无贾第虫感染后,用体外纯培养的犬贾第虫滋养体接种试验犬,然后每天采集试验犬新鲜粪便40 g,用硫酸锌漂浮法进行粪检,当检测犬贾第虫感染呈阳性时,分别用1、2、4 mg/kg体质量剂量的硝唑尼特时1、2、3组试验犬进行灌服治疗,第4组试验犬不用药作为对照.用药后,每天以同样的方法检测贾第虫包囊,并计数.结果表明,以2、4 mg/kg体质量给药的试验犬1 d后粪检结果转为阴性,以1 mg/kg体质量给药的试验犬4 d后粪检结果转为阴性.结果表明以2、4 mg/kg体质量剂量的硝唑尼特对犬贾第虫痛有很好的疗效.     

Infection of Japanese quail with Toxocara canis larvae and establishment of patent infection in pups

Migration and distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in the tissues of Japanese quail, infected orally with 5 X 10(3) infective eggs, and the establishment of patent infection from the quails to the definitive host, were studied. Larval yield at necropsy from various tissues and organs of quail varied from 4.72 to 7.54% of the infective eggs inoculated within the period 1-60 days post-infection (PI). The total number of larvae recovered on different days showed a gradual increase. The percent inoculum recovered at necropsy was highest on Day 60. Most of the larvae were found in the liver throughout the period and only a few migrated to other tissues, such as lung, heart, muscle and brain. The establishment of patent infections in the definitive host was studied by feeding the 15-day infected livers of Japanese quail (400 larvae) to Toxocara-free pups. Eggs first appeared in the faeces 38 days post-infection, the mean worm burden at necropsy was 87 and the percentage of infection established was 21.75%. Thus the role of Japanese quail as a paratenic host of T. canis is established.     

The effect of free and polyethylene glycol-liposome-entrapped albendazole on larval mobility and number in Toxocara canis infected mice

As part of our exploratory drug research on the larva migrans that causes roundworm in dogs and cats, this study was carried out to clarify the effect of free and liposome-entrapped (LE) albendazole in Toxocara canis infected mice. In infected mice, evaluation of mobility and number of larva were examined in detail in the brain, skeletal muscle and liver. Larva mobility was evaluated by using the relative mobility (RM) value. Albendazole was LE as one of the drug delivery systems (DDSs). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added to the liposome in order to avoid evoking a response by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). By using the albendazole PEG-LE delivery system, it was possible to target the larvae in the mouse brain and liver resulting in a decrease in the number of larvae. In the skeletal muscle of the infected mice, the intraperitoneal dosages of PEG-LE albendazole did not cause a complete decrease in the number of larvae, even though free albendazole did cause the number to decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to take into consideration the migrating stage of the larvae before the initiation of any drug administration.     

Efficacy and safety of imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on solution and fenbendazole in the treatment of dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866)

A randomized, blinded, controlled multicentre field trial study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% spot-on solution and fenbendazole in treating dogs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Dogs were randomly treated either with a single dose of 0.1 ml/kg bodyweight of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% spot-on solution or with 25 mg/kg bodyweight fenbendazole per os for 20 days. The study period was 42 days with dogs being examined on days 0, 7 and 42. The primary efficacy parameter was the presence of L1 larvae in faecal samples evaluated by a Baermann test from three consecutive days. Thoracic radiographs performed on each visit were being taken as a paraclinical parameter to support the results of the Baermann test. Twenty-seven dogs in the imidacloprid/moxidectin group and 23 dogs in the fenbendazole group completed the study according to protocol. The efficacies of the two treatment protocols were 85.2% (imidacloprid/moxidectin) and 91.3% (fenbendazole) with no significant difference between treatment groups. On radiographic evaluation pulmonary parenchyma showed similar improvement in each group. No serious adverse effects to treatment were recorded: most of the minor adverse effects were gastrointestinal such as diarrhea (nine dogs), vomitus (eight dogs) and salivation (three dogs). In general, these adverse effects were of short duration (1-2 days) within the first few days after treatment start and required little or no treatment. This prospective study demonstrates that both treatment protocols used are efficacious under field conditions, that treatment of mildly to moderately infected dogs with either of these protocols is safe and yields an excellent prognosis for recovering from the infection.     

A Trichinella murrelli infection in a domestic dog in the United States

Trichinella murrelli infection was diagnosed in a naturally infected Beagle bitch from VA, USA, where encapsulated larvae were found in histological sections of several skeletal muscles. A laboratory reared dog fed infected muscles resulted in viable muscle larvae that were subsequently infective to Swiss-Webster mice. Multiplex PCR using larvae from the experimentally infected dog demonstrated two distinct bands migrating at 127 bp and 316 bp which together are diagnostic for T. murrelli; the isolate was assigned the ISS code: ISS1608 by the International Trichinella Reference Centre. This is the first report of T. murrelli infection in a companion animal.     

The investigation of Toxocara canis eggs in coats of different dog breeds as a potential transmission route in human toxocariasis

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis eggs on the coats of dogs (a potential etiological factor for human toxocariasis) and to see if there were mainly a dog breed and coat type effects for the presence of eggs on the coat. Hair samples were collected from the different breeds of 51 domestic pet dogs and examined for the presence of T. canis eggs. A total of 62 T. canis eggs (all viable) were found in 21.56% of the dogs. Forty-nine (79.03%) of the eggs recovered were unembryonated, 8 (12.90%) were embryonating, and 5 (8.06%) were embryonated. The maximum densities of the embryonating and embryonated eggs were 93 and 8.45 eggs per gram (epg) of hair, respectively. The number of eggs recovered was much higher than those previously reported for soil samples. Although the statistical analysis for all dogs in this study showed that there were no breed (P>0.4), coat type (P>0.8), sex (P>0.1), age group (P>0.1) and hair length (P>0.3) effects for the presence of T. canis eggs per gram of hair, the majority of dogs (82%) with T. canis eggs in their coats were breeds that had double coats with thick undercoats suggesting that the coat characteristic may play a role for providing a suitable environment for the development of T. canis eggs. Also 82% of infected dogs were under 1 year of age indicating that the age of dog is a very important risk factor. The present study indicates that direct contact with T. canis infected dogs may be a potential etiological factor for human toxocariasis.     

Failure of imidocarb dipropionate to clear experimentally induced Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs

The recommended treatment for canine ehrlichiosis is tetracycline or its analog doxycycline, although recent reports have documented ineffective clearing of Erchlichia canis after doxycycline administration. Imidocarb dipropionate is used as an alternative treatment to tetracycline or is used in conjunction with doxycycline. The effectiveness of imidocarb dipropionate in clearing Ehrlichia species from the blood and tissues of dogs with E. canis infection has not been thoroughly evaluated. Fifteen dogs were experimentally infected with E. canis. Ten dogs were treated with imidocarb dipropionate (6.6 mg/kg, IM, 2 injections given 2 weeks apart). Five infected control dogs were not treated. Blood samples from all 15 dogs were E. canis DNA positive by PCR assay by 3 weeks after inoculation (PI), and E. canis antibodies were detected by IFA assay by 1 week PI. Blood platelet counts in all dogs were below the reference interval by 4 weeks PI. E. canis DNA was detected in bone marrow and splenic aspirates by PCR assay 4 weeks PI but not before infection. Bone marrow aspirates were E. canis DNA positive by PCR assay in 14/15 dogs, and splenic aspirates were E. canis DNA positive by PCR assay in 13/15 dogs. Blood samples from all treated and control dogs remained positive for E. canis DNA by PCR assay, and platelet counts remained below preinoculation values 13 weeks PI (6 weeks after 2nd treatment). As administered in this study, imidocarb dipropionate did not clear experimental E. canis infection in dogs.     

Doxycycline clearance of experimentally induced chronic Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs

BACKGROUND: Ineffective clearance of Ehrlichia canis after doxycycline administration has been reported despite the fact that the recommended treatment for canine ehrlichiosis is doxycycline. The effectiveness of doxycycline in clearing E canis infection from the blood and tissues of dogs requires additional evaluation. HYPOTHESIS: Doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h), administered for 4 weeks, will eliminate E canis infection from the blood and tissues of experimentally infected dogs. ANIMALS: Fifteen Walker hound-mixed breed dogs were inoculated subcutaneously with E canis-infected canine histiocytic cells 4 months before doxycycline treatment. METHODS: Four dogs were treated with doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h for 3 weeks), 5 dogs were treated with doxycycline at the same dosage for 4 weeks, and 5 control dogs were not treated. Dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg i.v.) was given after treatment to precipitate recrudescence of any remaining E canis organisms. Platelet counts, anti-E canis immunofluorescent antibodies, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of E canis deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood and tissues were evaluated. RESULTS: E canis DNA was not detected in the blood and tissues of doxycycline-treated dogs after treatment. Platelet counts were within reference intervals, and E canis antibodies decreased. Spontaneous clearance of E canis infection occurred in 2 of 5 control dogs. Three control dogs had E canis DNA detected in blood and tissues, platelet counts remained low or within the reference interval, and E canis antibodies remained high. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: As administered in this study, doxycycline cleared E canis from the blood and tissues of experimentally infected dogs.