A review of the off-label use of selamectin (Stronghold®/Revolution®) in dogs and cats

Since its introduction approximately seven years ago, selamectin (Stronghold®/Revolution®, Pfizer Inc.) has been used off-label to treat a number of ecto- and endoparasite conditions in dogs and cats. It has been used as a successful prophylactic against Dirofilaria repens and as a treatment for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats. It has also been used to treat notoedric mange, infestation with the nasal mite Pneumonyssoides caninum, Cheyletiella spp. and Neotrombicula autumnalis infestations and larval Cordylobia anthropophaga infection. However, to date attempts to treat generalised canine demodicosis have not been successful. In all cases, treatment was apparently well tolerated by the host

The benefits of the PCR-its/filter paper in the diagnosis of parasites and chemoresistant trypanosomes

The most reliable diagnosis method of animal trypanosomoses often used is the microscopic examination for motile trypanosomes. However, the sensitivity of this method remains relatively lower than the classic PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). This latter, besides of its high cost, requires some conditions which sometimes are difficult to apply on the field (conservation of samples at +4°C or -20°C). In this study, buffy coat (BCT) specimens were dotted on the filter paper and conserved during 12 months(September 2004 - October 2005) at ambient temperature until their treatment with Chelex® 5%. Samples were tested using unique “pantrypanosomique” PCR with ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) primers. This PCR using polyspecific primers indicated parasitological prevalences of 1.2 to 6.2 times higher than those recorded by the microscopic analysis of the buffy coat on the same samples. Beside the mixed infectionswhich could be detected by one PCR reaction, this method could also distinguish Trypanosoma congolense savanna type from Trypanosoma congolense forest type. The gain of sensitivity and the easy conservationof samples in this method could be used for the detection of the  chemoresistance in low parasitological prevalence areas

Enquete sero-epidemiologique sur la tuberculose, la brucellose, la toxoplasmose, la rhinotracheite infectiuse et les salmonelles abortives chez les animaux bresiliens introduits au Bukinafaso

A survey on tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis, toxoplasmosis and abortive salmonellosis has been carried out in Brazilian breeds (Gyr and Gyrolando) introduced in Burkina Faso. The study has concerned two livestock system : The modern system with two herds located in Koubri and Loumbila (rearing station of the Centre National d’Elevage et d’Amélioration Génétique (CNEAG). The traditional system with the agro-pastoral zone’s herd of Kikideni, eastern Burkina Faso. Animals (n = 273) have been tested for the presence of tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotrachetis (IBR), toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis.Results have shown a prevalence of 16.42%, 7.32%, 3%, 77.73%, and 76.04%of for brucellosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis and abortive salmonellosis respectively. Results have also revealed a high seroprevalence rate for abortive diseases which are not routinely diagnosed in Burkina Faso such as toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis and the presence of multiple abortive infections within the same animal. This survey suggested systematic control of abortive diseases which could improve animal productivity