World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guidelines for studies evaluating the efficacy of parasiticides in reducing the risk of vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats

Otranto, D; Dantas-Torres, F; Fourie, JJ; Lorusso, V; Varloud, M; Gradoni, L; Drake, J; Geurden, T; Kaminsky, R; Heckeroth, AR; Schunack, B; Pollmeier, M; Beugnet, F; Holdsworth, P

Abstract

These guidelines are intended to provide an in-depth review of current knowledge and assist the planning and implementation of studies for evaluating the efficacy of parasiticides in reducing transmission of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) to dogs and cats. At present, the prevention of VBP transmission in companion animals is generally achieved through the administration of products that can repel or rapidly kill arthropods, thus preventing or interrupting feeding before transmission occurs. The present guidelines complement existing guidelines, which focus on efficacy assessment of parasiticides for the treatment, prevention and control of flea and tick infestations, but also give guidance for studies focused on other vectors (i.e. mosquitoes and phlebotomine sand flies). The efficacy of parasiticides in reducing VBP transmission can be evaluated through laboratory or field studies. As such, the present guidelines provide recommendations for these studies, representing a tool for researchers, pharmaceutical companies and authorities involved in the research, development and registration of products with claims for reducing VBP transmission in dogs and cats, respecting the overall principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement). Gaps in our current understanding of VBP transmission times are herein highlighted and the need for further basic research on related topics is briefly discussed.

Citation

Otranto, D., Dantas-Torres, F., Fourie, J., Lorusso, V., Varloud, M., Gradoni, L., …Holdsworth, P. (2021). World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guidelines for studies evaluating the efficacy of parasiticides in reducing the risk of vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats. Veterinary Parasitology, 290, 109369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109369

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 24, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 11, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 11, 2021
• Journal: Veterinary Parasitology
• Print ISSN: 0304-4017
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 290
• Pages: 109369
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109369
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109369
• Related Public URLs: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/product/cws_home/503321/description
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: AM ** Embargo end date: 31-12-9999 ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for AM version of this article: This article is under embargo with an end date yet to be finalised. **Journal IDs: issn 03044017 **History: issue date 24-01-2021; accepted 19-01-2021