Therapeutic trial of doxycyclin plus ivermectin for the treatment of Brugia malayi naturally infected cats

Khowawisetsut, Ladawan; Sarasombath, Patsharaporn Techasintana; Thammapalo, Suwich; Loymek, Sumart; Korbarsa, Therayot; Nochote, Hathai; Phuakrod, Achinya; Choochote, Wej; Wongkamchai, Sirichit

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.08.009

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The effects of antibiotics against other filarial worms including Brugia species, Onchocerca species, Wuchereria bancrofti and Litomosoides sigmodontis have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo [2, 10–12] . In some studies, timing in the administration of tetracyclines appeared to cause different effects against the developmental stages of the worm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and side effects of doxycycline versus minocycline in the three-dose melarsomine canine adulticidal heartworm treatment protocol

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe American Heartworm Society currently recommends the use of a monthly macrocyclic lactone, a 28-day course of 10 mg/kg doxycycline BID, and the 3-dose protocol of melarsomine dihydrochloride for the treatment of canine heartworm disease. Doxycycline is necessary for the reduction of the bacterium Wolbachia, found in all heartworm life-stages. Previous price increases and decreasing availability prompted us to evaluate alternative tetracycline antibiotics, i.e. minocycline, for the reduction of Wolbachia during canine heartworm treatment.MethodsThirty-two heartworm-positive dogs were randomized to receive 10 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg of either doxycycline or minocycline for 28 days BID, for a total of 8 dogs per experimental group. All dogs received 6 months of Heartgard Plus® (ivermectin/pyrantel) and the 3-dose protocol of 2.5 mg/kg melarsomine dihydrochloride. Blood samples were collected prior to the initiation of treatment, every 7 days throughout tetracycline treatment, and then monthly thereafter until the dog tested negative for the presence of heartworm antigen. DNA was isolated from circulating microfilarial samples and qPCR was performed on each sample.ResultsA greater number of dogs in the 10 mg/kg doxycycline and minocycline treated groups experienced gastrointestinal side effects as compared to the 5 mg/kg doxycycline and minocycline treated groups. All eight dogs in the 10 mg/kg doxycycline-treated group tested negative for the presence of Wolbachia DNA by 28 days post-tetracycline treatment. A total of two dogs in both the 5 mg/kg doxycycline- and 10 mg/kg minocycline-treated groups and three dogs in the 5 mg/kg minocycline-treated group remained positive for the presence of Wolbachia DNA by the end of tetracycline treatment.ConclusionsNo lung pathology was assessed in this clinical trial, therefore the clinical effect of the remaining Wolbachia DNA in the 10 mg/kg minocycline-, 5 mg/kg doxycycline- and 5 mg/kg minocycline-treated groups cannot be determined. Owner compliance in the proper administration of these tetracyclines may be impacted by the increased severe gastrointestinal side effects reported for the 10 mg/kg doxycycline- and minocycline-treated groups. We recommend that veterinarians prescribe the recommended 10 mg/kg doxycycline for canine heartworm treatment and reduce the dosage to 5 mg/kg in cases of severe gastrointestinal side effects in order to improve owner compliance in administration of medications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and side effects of doxycycline versus minocycline in the three-dose melarsomine canine adulticidal heartworm treatment protocol

et al. 2018

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“…and Brugia spp. [13,15]. Wolbachia infection identified in our study may be acquired from D. immitis and other nematode species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Wolbachia infection identified in our study may be acquired from D. immitis and other nematode species. Moreover, a study recently reported B. malayi and Wolbachia endosymbiont infection in cats residing in Thailand [15]. It is possible that B. malayi may be a contributing factor to the result of cats being negative for D. immitis but positive for Wolbachia infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia infections in pet and semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand

et al. 2022

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Background and Aim: Although cats are not natural hosts for heartworm infections (Dirofilaria immitis), evidence suggests that feline heartworm disease can be detrimental because of a severe inflammatory response. Recent studies have found that infection with bacteria of the genus Wolbachia is the principal cause of acute inflammatory filaria disease; nonetheless, the prevalence of cats naturally infected with heartworms and Wolbachia remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and current distribution of feline heartworm disease and its association with Wolbachia infection in pet and semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 260 cats (130 pet cats and 130 semi-domesticated cats) were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were placed into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes for hematological analysis and DNA extraction. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to analyze samples for the presence of D. immitis and Wolbachia infections. Results: The prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of D. immitis infection in pet, semi-domesticated, and all cats were 3.9% (1.3-8.8%), 27.7% (20.2-36.2%), and 19.6% (15.0-25.0%), respectively. The prevalence (95% CI) of Wolbachia infection in pet, semi-domesticated, and all cats were 18.5% (12.2-26.2%), 31.5% (23.7-40.3%), and 25.0% (19.9-30.7%), respectively. The prevalence of D. immitis and Wolbachia infections in semi-domesticated cats was significantly higher than in pet cats (p=0.002 and p=0.022, respectively). There was a significant association between D. immitis and Wolbachia infections (p<0.001). There was also a significant association between D. immitis infection and the presence of eosinophilia (p<0.045). Conclusion: From the PCR analysis, it can be concluded that semi-domesticated cats were at higher risk for D. immitis infection than pet cats. There was a significant association between positive D. immitis infection and positive Wolbachia infection. Combinations of anthelmintic and antimicrobial therapy should be considered in heartworm-positive cats.

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“…domestic dogs and cats) should be considered as one of the comprehensive strategies to archive the target of the GPELF. The use of doxycycline alone or in combination with ivermectin for treatment of B. malayi infection in cats has given a good eradication effect to both microfilariae and adult worms ( Khowawisetsut et al., 2017 ). Recently, guidelines for the diagnosis, preventions and treatments of parasitic diseases in companion dogs and cats in the tropics have been prepared by the Tropical Council of Companion Animal Parasites ( Dantas-Torres et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Managing Zoonotic Vbpmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine and feline vector-borne diseases of zoonotic concern in Southeast Asia

Nguyen

Dantas‐Torres

Otranto

2021

Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases

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Therapeutic trial of doxycyclin plus ivermectin for the treatment of Brugia malayi naturally infected cats

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

Efficacy and side effects of doxycycline versus minocycline in the three-dose melarsomine canine adulticidal heartworm treatment protocol

Efficacy and side effects of doxycycline versus minocycline in the three-dose melarsomine canine adulticidal heartworm treatment protocol

Molecular prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia infections in pet and semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand

Canine and feline vector-borne diseases of zoonotic concern in Southeast Asia

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