Amorphous calcium carbonate as a novel potential treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs: a pilot clinical study.

Background: Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is a potential new treatment for canine osteoarthritis (OA) with novel mechanisms based on local pH modulation and targeting bone remodeling, inflammation, and pain. The aim of this pilot exploratory clinical study was to obtain initial data on the potential efficacy and safety of ACC in OA dogs and to determine if further investigation was appropriate using similar assessment methods. Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study, 41 client-owned dogs were allocated in a 2:1 ratio to ACC: placebo given orally for 56 days. Efficacy assessments included improvements in pain and mobility using owner questionnaires [Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), Client Specific Outcome Measure (CSOM), and Veterinary Orthopedic Scores (VOS)]. Safety in the study population was monitored by veterinary examinations, clinical pathology, and adverse events. Results: Fifty-three dogs were screened, of which 41 enrolled and served for the safety assessment. Thirty-six dogs were found evaluable for initial efficacy assessment. Three dogs given placebo (21.4%) and one given ACC (4.5%) were removed before day 56 due to owner-perceived pain and were considered treatment failures. There were no serious adverse events or clinically significant treatment-related effects in the study. Overall, ACC was found safe in the small study population. On day 56, proportionally more ACC than placebo dogs were treatment successes based on CBPI (45.5% vs. 21.4%) and CSOM (63.6% vs. 30.8%, respectively); however, these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.15 and 0.06, respectively). On day 56, within the ACC group but not the placebo group, the CBPI, CSOM, and VOS assessments were lower compared to day 0 and day 14 (p < 0.05). Limitations: The relatively small number of dogs limited the statistical power of the pilot study in evaluating the efficacy and safety of ACC. Conclusion: Study results support the conduct of larger, appropriately powered studies using similar assessments to confirm whether ACC may be a safe and effective treatment for OA in dogs.

Diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense is not caused by reduced transport capacity but associated with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential.

Trypanosoma congolense is a principal agent causing livestock trypanosomiasis in Africa, costing developing economies billions of dollars and undermining food security. Only the diamidine diminazene and the phenanthridine isometamidium are regularly used, and resistance is widespread but poorly understood. We induced stable diminazene resistance in T. congolense strain IL3000 in vitro. There was no cross-resistance with the phenanthridine drugs, melaminophenyl arsenicals, oxaborole trypanocides, or with diamidine trypanocides, except the close analogs DB829 and DB75. Fluorescence microscopy showed that accumulation of DB75 was inhibited by folate. Uptake of [3 H]-diminazene was slow with low affinity and partly but reciprocally inhibited by folate and by competing diamidines. Expression of T. congolense folate transporters in diminazene-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei significantly sensitized the cells to diminazene and DB829, but not to oxaborole AN7973. However, [3 H]-diminazene transport studies, whole-genome sequencing, and RNA-seq found no major changes in diminazene uptake, folate transporter sequence, or expression. Instead, all resistant clones displayed a moderate reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential Ψm. We conclude that diminazene uptake in T. congolense proceed via multiple low affinity mechanisms including folate transporters; while resistance is associated with a reduction in Ψm it is unclear whether this is the primary cause of the resistance.

Finding synergies for the 3Rs - Repeated Dose Toxicity testing: Report from an EPAA Partners' Forum.

The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) convened a Partners' Forum on repeated dose toxicity (RDT) testing to identify synergies between industrial sectors and stakeholders along with opportunities to progress these in existing research frameworks. Although RTD testing is not performed across all industrial sectors, the OECD accepted tests can provide a rich source of information and play a pivotal role for safety decisions relating to the use of chemicals. Currently there are no validated alternatives to repeated dose testing and a direct one-to-one replacement is not appropriate. However, there are many projects and initiatives at the international level which aim to implement various aspects of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs) in RDT testing. Improved definition of use, through better problem formulation, aligned to harmonisation of regulations is a key area, as is the more rapid implementation of alternatives into the legislative framework. Existing test designs can be optimised to reduce animal use and increase information content. Greater use of exposure-led decisions and improvements in dose selection will be beneficial. In addition, EPAA facilitates sharing of case studies demonstrating the use of Next Generation Risk Assessment applying various New Approach Methodologies to assess RDT.

Identification of a 4-fluorobenzyl l-valinate amide benzoxaborole (AN11736) as a potential development candidate for the treatment of Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT).

Novel l-valinate amide benzoxaboroles and analogues were designed and synthesized for a structure-activity-relationship (SAR) investigation to optimize the growth inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense) and Trypanosoma vivax (T. vivax) parasites. The study identified 4-fluorobenzyl (1-hydroxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydrobenzo[c][1,2]oxaborole-6-carbonyl)-l-valinate (5, AN11736), which showed IC50 values of 0.15 nM against T. congolense and 1.3 nM against T. vivax, and demonstrated 100% efficacy with a single dose of 10 mg/kg against both T. congolense and T. vivax in mouse models of infection (IP dosing) and in the target animal, cattle, dosed intramuscularly. AN11736 has been advanced to early development studies.

The animal trypanosomiases and their chemotherapy: a review.

Pathogenic animal trypanosomes affecting livestock have represented a major constraint to agricultural development in Africa for centuries, and their negative economic impact is increasing in South America and Asia. Chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis represent the main means of control. However, research into new trypanocides has remained inadequate for decades, leading to a situation where the few compounds available are losing efficacy due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current options available for the treatment and prophylaxis of the animal trypanosomiases, with a special focus on the problem of resistance. The key issues surrounding the main economically important animal trypanosome species and the diseases they cause are also presented. As new investment becomes available to develop improved tools to control the animal trypanosomiases, we stress that efforts should be directed towards a better understanding of the biology of the relevant parasite species and strains, to identify new drug targets and interrogate resistance mechanisms.

Anamnestic responses in pigs to the Taenia solium TSOL18 vaccine and implications for control strategies.

Specific antibody responses were assessed in pigs immunized with the Taenia solium vaccine TSOL18. Anti-TSOL18 responses were compared 2 weeks after secondary immunization, where the interval between primary and secondary immunization was 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 weeks. All animals responded to the vaccine and there was no diminution in antibody responses in animals receiving their second injection after an interval up to 20 weeks. Pigs receiving vaccinations at an interval of 12 weeks developed significantly increased antibody responses compared with animals receiving immunizations 4 weeks apart (P = 0.046). The ability to deliver TSOL18 vaccination effectively where the revaccination schedule can be delayed for up to 12-16 weeks in pigs increases the options available for designing T. solium control interventions that incorporate TSOL18 vaccination.

Can acute dermal systemic toxicity tests be replaced with oral tests? A comparison of route-specific systemic toxicity and hazard classifications under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Acute systemic toxicity data (LD50 values) and hazard classifications derived in the rat following oral administration and dermal application have been analysed to examine whether or not orally-derived hazard classification or LD50 values can be used to determine dermal hazard classification. Comparing the oral and dermal classifications for 335 substances derived from oral and dermal LD50 values respectively revealed 17% concordance, and indicated that 7% of substances would be classified less severely while 76% would be classified more severely if oral classifications were applied directly to the dermal route. In contrast, applying the oral LD50 values within the dermal classification criteria to determine the dermal classification reduced the concordance to 15% and the relative 'under-classification' to 1%, but increased the relative 'over-classification' to 84%. Both under- and over-classification are undesirable, and mitigation strategies are discussed. Finally, no substance with an oral LD50 of >2000mg/kg was classified for acute systemic toxicity by the dermal route, suggesting that dermal testing for acute systemic toxicity of such substances adds nothing to the hazard characterisation and should be removed from routine regulatory data requirements.

Efficacy of maropitant for treatment and prevention of emesis caused by intravenous infusion of cisplatin in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of maropitant, a novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, to treat and prevent emesis caused by IV infusion of a chemotherapeutic dose of cisplatin (70 mg/m(2)) in dogs. ANIMALS: 64 healthy 6-month-old Beagles (32 males and 32 females). PROCEDURES: To evaluate the effect of maropitant on ongoing emesis, 24 dogs were randomized to 2 treatment groups (12 dogs each). Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or maropitant (1 mg/kg) was administered once by SC injection immediately following the first emetic event after cisplatin infusion. Dogs were assessed for emesis for 6 hours after initiation of cisplatin infusion. To evaluate the use of maropitant for the prevention of emesis, 40 dogs were randomized to 4 treatment groups (10 dogs each). Placebo or maropitant (1, 2, or 3 mg/kg) was administered PO as a tablet. Cisplatin infusion was initiated at 19 hours after treatment, and dogs were assessed for emesis for 6 hours. RESULTS: No treatment-related adverse events were observed in either study. For the treatment of ongoing emesis, significantly fewer emetic events were observed for maropitant-treated dogs, compared with placebo-treated dogs (mean, 5.2 vs 15.8), and the mean time to cessation of emesis was significantly shorter (0.65 vs 1.65 hours). In the prevention of emesis, maropitant-treated dogs had significantly fewer emetic events (means, 2.7, 1.1, and 0.5 for maropitant at 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg, respectively), compared with placebo-treated dogs (mean, 20.3). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that maropitant is safe and effective in the treatment and prevention of cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs.

Danofloxacin (Advocin) reduces the spread of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia to healthy in-contact cattle.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (MmmSC), is one of the most important diseases of cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa. The live T1/44 vaccine is normally used for its control but produces only transient protection and gives rise to adverse reactions. The present study evaluated the efficacy of danofloxacin (2.5% Advocintrade mark, Pfizer Ltd.) for the treatment of naturally infected cattle and in the prevention of CBPP transmission to in-contact cattle. Adult cattle, taken from a natural outbreak, were placed into two groups of 10 animals and kept on a research farm in paddocks 50m apart. One group was treated with 2.5mg/kg danofloxacin on days 0, 1 and 2; the other group were saline treated. On day 2, 10 CBPP-free, seronegative cattle were placed in contact with each of the two groups. All cattle were monitored for 3.5 months. No differences were seen in clinical improvement of the CBPP-affected cattle treated with danofloxacin compared with the untreated CBPP-affected cattle with approximately half of each group being withdrawn because of CBPP or showing CBPP lesions at post mortem examination. Clinical scores of the two groups were also similar. However cattle kept in contact with the danofloxacin-treated CBPP-affected animals showed significantly fewer lesions, less mortality and fewer animals were seropositive (P<0.02) and had reduced clinical scores (P<0.001) compared to cattle kept in contact with untreated CBPP-affected cattle. MmmSC was also isolated from fewer contact controls kept with the treated group. These findings could have important implications for the control of CBPP in Africa.

Minimum inhibitory concentrations of tulathromycin against respiratory bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical cases in European cattle and swine and variability arising from changes in in vitro methodology.

The in vitro activity of tulathromycin was evaluated against common bovine and porcine respiratory pathogens collected from outbreaks of clinical disease across eight European countries from 1998 to 2001. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for one isolate of each bacterial species from each outbreak were determined using a broth microdilution technique. The lowest concentrations inhibiting the growth of 90% of isolates (MIC90) for tulathromycin were 2 microg/ml for Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica, 1 microg/ml for Pasteurella multocida (bovine), and 2 microg/ml for Pasteurella multocida (porcine) and ranged from 0.5 to 4 microg/ml for Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) and from 4 to 16 microg/ml for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Isolates were retested in the presence of serum. The activity of tulathromycin against fastidious organisms was affected by culture conditions, and MICs were reduced in the presence of serum.

Efficacy of tulathromycin in the treatment and prevention of natural outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease in European cattle.

The efficacy of tulathromycin in the treatment (phase 1) and prevention (phase 2) of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was evaluated on commercial farms in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In phase 1, commingled cattle with clinical BRD were treated with tulathromycin (n = 128) or florfenicol (n = 125) on day 0. Similar percentages of animals showed sustained clinical improvement at day 14 (tulathromycin 83.3% versus florfenicol 81.0%) and had not relapsed by day 60 (tulathromycin 63.3% versus florfenicol 58.4%). In phase 2, healthy in-contact cattle were treated with tulathromycin (n = 492), tilmicosin (n = 494), or saline (n = 265) on day 0. Significantly more (P = .0001) tulathromycin-treated cattle remained healthy to day 14 (92.4%) than tilmicosin-treated (83.7%) or saline-treated (63.7%) cattle, and this was maintained through day 60 (tulathromycin 85.4% versus tilmicosin 75.1% and saline 56.2%). Tulathromycin was highly effective in the treatment and prevention of BRD.

Efficacy of tulathromycin in the treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated with induced Mycoplasma bovis infections in young dairy calves.

The efficacy of tulathromycin in the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) due to Mycoplasma bovis was determined following experimental infection. Two highly pathogenic strains of M. bovis (with minimum inhibitory concentration values for tulathromycin of 1 and >64 microg/ml) were inoculated into 145 calves. Four days after inoculation, calves with clinical BRD were treated subcutaneously with saline or tulathromycin (2.5 mg/kg). Compared with saline, BRD-related withdrawals, peak rectal temperatures, and lung lesion scores were significantly lower for tulathromycin-treated calves (P < .01). Tulathromycin was highly effective in the treatment of BRD due to M. bovis in calves regardless of the minimum inhibitory concentration of the challenge strain (1 or >64 microg/ml).

Evaluation of tulathromycin for the treatment of pneumonia following experimental infection of swine with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Tulathromycin was evaluated in the treatment of pneumonia in weaned pigs inoculated intranasally with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Five days postchallenge, the pigs were randomized to treatment with a single IM administration of saline, a single IM administration of tulathromycin (2.5 mg/kg; day 0), or three IM administrations of enrofloxacin (5.0 mg/kg; days 0, 1, 2). Pigs were necropsied on day 12 or 13. Unchallenged controls remained healthy with no lung pathology. Compared with saline, coughing, mean lung lesion score, and proportional lung weight were significantly reduced and weight gain was significantly greater for tulathromycin-treated pigs (P < .05). Compared with enrofloxacin, there were no significant differences in proportional lung weight or weight gains, but coughing and lung lesion scores were greater for tulathromycin-treated pigs (P < .05). Tulathromycin was effective in the treatment of pneumonia following experimental infection with M. hyopneumoniae.

Evaluation of the therapeutic activity of tulathromycin against swine respiratory disease on farms in Europe.

The clinical efficacy of tulathromycin in the treatment of natural outbreaks of swine respiratory disease (SRD) was evaluated at five European sites. Pigs (1 to 6 months of age) exhibiting clinical signs of SRD were treated intramuscularly with tulathromycin (n = 247) at 2.5 mg/kg on day 0 versus either tiamulin (n = 102) at 15 mg/kg on days 0, 1, and 2 (Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) or florfenicol (n = 20) at 15 mg/kg on days 0 and 2 (France). Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections were the most frequently diagnosed pathogens. For both tulathromycin-treated animals and those treated with tiamulin or florfenicol, there were significant (P = .0001) reductions in mean rectal temperature and the severity of abnormal clinical signs on days 2 and 10 compared with day 0. There were no significant differences (P > .05) between treatments in average daily weight gain. Tulathromycin was found to be safe and highly effective in the treatment of natural outbreaks of SRD.

Efficacy of selamectin in the treatment and control of clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats experimentally infested with fleas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment with selamectin would reduce clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in dogs and cats housed in flea-infested environments. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 22 dogs and 17 cats confirmed to have FAD. PROCEDURE: Animals were housed in carpeted pens capable of supporting the flea life cycle and infested with 100 fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on days -13 and -2 and on alternate weeks with 10 to 20 fleas. On day 0, 11 dogs and 8 cats were treated with selamectin (6 mg/kg [2.7 mg/lb]). Dogs were retreated on day 30; cats were retreated on days 30 and 60. All animals were examined periodically for clinical signs of FAD. Flea counts were conducted at weekly intervals. RESULTS: Throughout the study, geometric mean flea counts exceeded 100 for control animals and were < or = 11 for selamectin-treated animals. Selamectin-treated cats had significant improvements in the severity of miliary lesions and scaling or crusting on days 42 and 84, compared with conditions on day -8, and in severity of excoriation on day 42. In contrast, control cats did not have any significant improvements in any of the clinical signs of FAD. Selamectin-treated dogs had significant improvements in all clinical signs on days 28 and 61, but in control dogs, severity of clinical signs of FAD was not significantly different from baseline severity at any time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that topical administration of selamectin, even without the use of supplementary environmental control measures and with minimal therapeutic intervention, can reduce the severity of clinical signs of FAD in dogs and cats.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of danofloxacin administered by two dosing regimens in calves infected with Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of danofloxacin in calves with induced Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica pneumonia were evaluated. Calves received either saline as an intravenous (IV) bolus or danofloxacin (0.738 mg/kg of body weight) administered as either a single IV bolus or a 36-h continuous IV infusion. Blood samples and bronchial secretions were collected before and at predetermined times over 48 h following the start of treatment. Calves were assessed clinically throughout, and lung consolidation was assessed at necropsy. Bronchial secretions and lung tissue were cultured for M. haemolytica. Bolus administration of danofloxacin produced a high maximum drug concentration-to-MIC ratio (C(max):MIC) of 14.5 and a time period of 9.1 h when plasma danofloxacin concentrations exceeded the MIC (T>MIC). Following danofloxacin infusion, the C(max):MIC was low (2.3), with a long T>MIC (33.3 h). The area under the curve-to-MIC ratios were 43.3 and 49.1 for the bolus and infusion administrations, respectively. The single bolus of danofloxacin was more effective than the same dose administered by continuous infusion, as indicated by a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of animals with M. haemolytica in bronchial secretions after treatment and lower rectal temperatures in the 24 h after the start of treatment. Thus, danofloxacin exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity in cattle with respiratory disease caused by M. haemolytica.