LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection) efficacy against Hypoderma lineatum in an endemic area in southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Despite intensive control measures including governmental campaigns using highly-efficacious systemic insecticides, there is evidence for persisting or recurring bovine Hypoderma species populations in parts of Europe, the USA and Canada. The present study evaluated the efficacy of LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection) against the infestation of cattle with Hypoderma lineatum, which is considered to be the predominant bovine warble fly in southern Europe and in North America. METHODS: Thirty-six local breed cattle sourced in an endemic area in southern Italy and confirmed positive for Hypoderma exposure by ELISA were randomly assigned to three groups of 12 animals each. Cattle of one group served as control and received saline injectable solution, whereas those in the two other groups received LONGRANGE® by subcutaneous injection. LONGRANGE® was administered once, either when Hypoderma larvae were expected to be first-instars (L1) or after warbles development, with Hypoderma larvae moulting to the second-(L2) and third-(L3) instars. Cattle were checked at intervals for warbles and Hypoderma larvae were collected, examined for their viability and morphologically identified. The detection of Hypoderma on cattle was terminated when warbles were no longer emerging. RESULTS: All intact larvae collected were identified as H. lineatum. No live larvae were collected from any animal treated with LONGRANGE® while live specimens were sampled from nine of the 12 control cattle (1 to 9 larvae per animal) (P = 0.0001 at α = 0.05). LONGRANGE® treatment was well accepted and no adverse events related to treatment or other health problems were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the continued 'preventive' (efficacy against migrating L1) and 'therapeutic' (efficacy against L2 and L3 in warbles) efficacy of LONGRANGE® against H. lineatum infestation of cattle under contemporary field conditions.

Hypodermosis in cattle translocated to Tamil Nadu from Punjab.

Fifteen apparently healthy Kandari cross-bred cattle aged about 4 years were purchased from Rurki, Patiala district of Punjab by a private dairy farmer in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Four animals showed eruptions on the lateral thoracic and dorsal abdominal regions of the body after 15-day period of quarantine. Manual palpation of the eruptions resulted in the emergence of larval stages of dipteran flies, identified by their morphology as Hypoderma from these animals. Molecular identification based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-1 (COX-1) gene confirmed it to be Hypoderma lineatum. Treatment with oral ivermectin did not have any curative effects, with exacerbation of disease being noticed, as more than 500 eruptions subsequently emerged in each animal, which had to be culled. Consequences of long distance migration of host on parasite epidemiology are discussed. Awareness must be created among livestock farmers to prevent their economic loss while purchasing cattle from different parts of the country.

Treatment and control of bovine hypodermosis with ivermectin long-acting injection (IVOMEC® GOLD).

BACKGROUND: The studies reported here were conducted to assess the efficacy of ivermectin long-acting injection (IVM LAI; IVOMEC® GOLD, Merial; 3.15 % w/v ivermectin) for the treatment and control of natural infestations of cattle by Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum, which are the most economically important oestrid flies of cattle in the northern hemisphere. METHODS: Cattle selected from herds with a history of Hypoderma infestation were grouped into blocks of three (Italy, 33 cattle; Germany, 30 cattle) or two (USA, 16 cattle) animals each, on the basis of positivity at the pre-treatment anti-Hypoderma antibody titres. Within each block, animals were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment regimens: saline (control); IVM LAI, administered at the predicted time of occurrence of first-instar larvae (Italy, Germany, USA); IVM LAI, administered at the predicted time of occurrence of second- and/or third-instar larvae (Italy, Germany). All treatments were administered by subcutaneous injection in correspondence of the area anterior to the shoulder at 1 ml/50 kg body weight, which corresponds to 630 mcg IVM/kg for IVM LAI. RESULTS: No Hypoderma larvae emerged from animals treated with IVM LAI, whereas live H. lineatum (Italy) or H. bovis (Germany, USA) larvae were collected from saline-treated animals (P < 0.01). No adverse reactions to treatments were in any of the animals enrolled in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study demonstrate that ivermectin in a long-acting formulation is 100 % efficacious in the treatment of cattle naturally infested by H. bovis and H. lineatum larvae at all stages of development. IVM LAI can, therefore, be used as 'prophylactic' treatment for Hypoderma spp. infestations in absence of external evidence of their presence and thus prior to skin and carcass damage, and as 'therapeutic' treatment, when warbles are already present.

Paciente con miasis vulvovaginal posterior a vulvectomía simple / Patient with Vulvo Vaginal Mycosis after Single Vulvectomy

Las miasis son infestaciones en vertebrados vivos causados por las larvas de diversas especies de moscas (dípteros).El objetivo del trabajo es presentar la evolución de este caso por ser una enfermedad muy rara en Cuba. Se presenta una paciente femenina, piel blanca,de 70 años de edad y antecedentes de hipertensión arterial crónica.Hace nueve meses le fue diagnosticado un proceso neoformativo de vulva,motivo por el cual fue intervenida quirúrgicamente hace 39 días en otro centro hospitalario.Ahora acude al cuerpo de guardia por constatarse aumento de volumen en la zona quirúrgica,prurito intenso y secreciones fétidas.Por este motivo fue ingresada para estudio y tratamiento en sala.Se le diagnosticó miasis vulvovaginal.Tuvo una evolución satisfactoria en sala gracias a las curas locales y el tratamiento con antibióticos(AU)

The myiasis are infestations in living vertebrates caused by the larvae of several species of flies (Diptera). The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of this case as a very rare disease in Cuba. A case is presented of a female patient, white skin, 70 years old having a history of chronic hypertension. Nine months earlier, she had been diagnosed with vulvar neoformative process, for which she underwent surgery -39 days before this consultation in another hospital. She went to the emergency room due to an increased volume in the surgical area, severe itching, and fetid secretions. She was admitted in hospital for study and treatment. She was diagnosed vulvovaginal miasis. She had a satisfactory evolution thanks to local cures and treatment with antibiotics(AU)

[The first case of Hypoderma tarandi-associated human myiasis in Greenland]. / Første tilfælde af Hypoderma tarandi-associeret myiasis på Grønland.

We present the first case of human myiasis in Greenland caused by the warble fly Hypoderma tarandi. Noticing a persisting, migrating, stinging facial sensation, a female patient eventually extirpated a larva from her upper eyelid, and the larva was confirmed to species level using DNA-based methods. A high prevalence of H. tarandi in reindeer, the main reservoir host, and increasing populations of musk ox may imply an increased risk of zoonotic transmission. Although diagnosis is challenging, rapid intervention is crucial to reduce the risk of ophthalmomyiasis.

The efficacy of eprinomectin extended-release injection against Hypoderma spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) in cattle.

The efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation was determined in cattle harboring naturally acquired infestations of first- or second- and third-stage larvae of Hypoderma spp. in three studies conducted according to the same protocol in the USA (two studies) and Germany (one study). Thirty cattle sourced from herds with a history of Hypoderma infestation were included in each study. Cattle were formed into replicates of three animals each on the basis of pre-treatment anti-Hypoderma antibody titers. Within replicates each animal was randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: ERI vehicle (control) at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight, administered once on Day 0; Eprinomectin 5% ERI at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight (1.0 mg eprinomectin/kg), administered once on Day 0 (when larvae were expected to be first instars); or Eprinomectin 5% ERI at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight (1.0 mg eprinomectin/kg), administered once when larvae were second or third instars (study dependent, Day 73, 119, or 140). Treatments were administered by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder. In all studies, emerging and/or expressed Hypoderma larvae were recovered, speciated, and counted and viability was determined. Eprinomectin LAI treatment was 100% (p<0.05) efficacious against first- and second- or third-stage larvae of Hypoderma bovis (two studies) and Hypoderma lineatum (one study). All animals accepted the treatment well. No adverse reaction to treatments was observed in any animal in any study.

Studies on the biology, chemotherapy and distribution of warble fly in Pakistan.

This paper presents data on the prevalence, biology and control of warble fly infestation (WFI) in cattle and goats in Pakistan. A questionnaire for obtaining information on biology and prevalence was circulated amongst field veterinary staff and livestock farmers in all five provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KPK] and Gilgit-Baltistan) and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of the country. A total of 1,019 questionnaires were received (Punjab = 296, Sindh = 246, KPK = 318, Balochistan = 151, Gilgit-Baltistan = 8). Warble fly infestation was reported from each province and from the federally administered tribal areas, particularly from hilly, semi-hilly and sandy desert areas (the Cholistan desert, which adjoins the Rehim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts, and the Nara area of Sanghar district). Warbles (nodules) started appearing on the backs of the infested animals from September through December and disappeared from October through March. The prevalence of WFI varied from 5% to 75%. It was highest in hilly areas and gradually decreased towards the plains. A map was developed of warble fly-infested areas. Four field trials were conducted to study the efficacy of different drugs indicated for the control of warble fly infestation. A total of 2,094 cattle and 3,876 goats were given five different injectables (avermectins); namely, Ivomec, Endectin, Euvectin, Dectomax and Promectin (ivermectin) during the first three weeks of September. A control group was given normal saline. All the medicines were found to be effective in controlling infestation.

Sero-epidemiological surveillance of hypodermosis in yaks and cattle in north China by ELISA.

A large-scale serological surveillance was conducted for hypodermosis in the north of China. A total of 4175 sera samples of yaks and cattle were collected from five provinces in north China that included Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jiling and Gansu provinces, between 2001 and 2002, and were examined for anti-hypoderma antibody by ELISA. The results indicate that the naturally infested positive rates of Hypoderma spp. in the above provinces were 51.77%, 27.02%, 13.00%, 6.03% and 44.41%, respectively. These results suggest a significant warble fly population in the north of China. Positive sera were collected from infested cattle in Pingliang county of the Gansu province monthly between August 2001 and July 2002. These sera were used to evaluate the seasonal kinetics of anti-hypoderma antibody. The kinetics demonstrated that anti-hypoderma antibody was elevated from October to December. Thus, serological surveillances associated with low infestation rates and chemical therapy would best be performed from October to December in the region.

Migration of warble fly larvae in the yak and optimum timing of ivermectin treatment.

Sixty yaks were autopsied to determine the migration pattern of warble fly larvae. In August, first instars were observed in the body of yak for the first time. These larvae peaked in number in October. From November to February, second instars were detected and their number peaked in January. Third instars appeared in January and peaked in March. Forty-five yaks were administered with ivermectin: 15 animals in September, 15 in October and 15 in November. Between December and June, the number of warbles was checked by palpation. Although some warbles were observed in the September- and November-treated groups, no warbles were detected in the October-treated group. Treatment of yaks with ivermectin was most effective for warble fly in October.

Efficacy of different dosages of ivermectin injectable against the Hypoderma spp. in yaks.

A chemotherapy trial was conducted to determine the lowest dosage of injectable preparation of ivermectin against Hypoderma spp. infestation in yaks in Tibetan areas in Tianzhu county, Gansu province, in northwest of China. One hundred and sixty yaks were randomly divided into four groups of 40 yaks for the trial. The first three groups were treated by subcutaneous injection in the neck with 0.1% ivermectin (respectively, 1, 5, 10 microg/kg body weight). The fourth group was not treated and considered as control group. All the experiments were performed in November 2000 and the animals were examined for the presence of warbles in the next March and May. The results indicated that there was no warbles found on the back of treated animal while third stage larvae were palpated on back of some of the yaks in control group. It is concluded that dosage of 1 microg/kg ivermectin injectable was sufficient to kill or stop development of larvae of Hypoderma spp. in naturally infected yaks if administrated in November.

Effect of treatment on the dynamics of circulating hypodermin C in cattle naturally infested with Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera: Oestridae).

An antigen capture ELISA, using a murine monoclonal antibody recognising recombinant hypodermin C (rHyC), was used to evaluate the influence of early treatment with eprinomectin (Eprinex) or fenthion (Spotton) on the kinetics of circulating hypodermin C in calves naturally infested with Hypoderma lineatum. No viable larvae were collected from treated animals, whereas a variable number of warbles were found in control animals. Treatment provoked a decrease in circulating HyC levels that was significant 9 days post-treatment (p.t.). Circulating antigen levels in the treated cattle remained detectable for approximately 99 days p.t. In contrast, control animals had no detectable antigen at 64 days p.t., 42 days earlier than in the treated animals. These results suggest that larvae were either gradually killed, resulting in slow release of antigen or they were encapsulated, leading to the slow liberation of antigen. Kinetics of circulating HyC did not differ among the two insecticide treatments. Antibodies persisted, in all groups, throughout the 120-day study. These results suggest that the antigen capture ELISA will be useful as a technique for detecting successful treatment of cattle grub infestations and for the detection of new infestations in previously infested cattle.

Persistent activity of topical ivermectin against artificial infestations with Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera: Oestridae).

In controlled experiments utilizing artificial infestations, a topical formulation of ivermectin (IVOMEC Pour-On for Cattle) was 100% effective against migrating first instar Hypoderma lineatum for 3 weeks following treatment. Larvae were apparently killed early in the infestation as no significant level of specific antibodies was found in the treated calves. At 4 weeks post-treatment the efficacy remained high at 96%; mortality of larvae in the one calf in which warbles were observed and from which mature third instars were collected, was higher than that seen in the untreated calves, indicating some level of treatment induced effect. No specific antibodies were detected in calves that did not develop palpable warbles. Antibody kinetics in those calves from which viable larvae emerged were typical. The length of activity of this product against early stages of the cattle grub makes it practical to apply treatment up to 3 weeks before the end of fly activity.

Dynamics of the antibody response in cattle infested by Hypoderma (Diptera: Oestridae) after a treatment with injectable and pour-on ivermectin.

The dynamics of the anti-Hypoderma antibody response after a treatment with injectable and pour-on ivermectin against first instars of Hypoderma sp. were determined in naturally infested cows. Cattle were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1, which served as an untreated control; group 2, treated with pour-on ivermectin at a dose of 500 microg/kg of body weight, and group 3, which received 200 microg/kg of body weight of ivermectin by subcutaneous injection. Both ivermectins showed total efficacy against L-1 of Hypoderma sp. In untreated control animals, grubs became detectable in the 2 mo after treatment. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed a significant increase in group 3 antibody levels 1 mo after treatment, whereas in group 2 the increase was not significant. Following the peak of anitibody activity in group 3, antibody levels declined at a faster rate than in those treated topically. In both treated groups, cattle remained serologically positive for 4 mo after ivermectin treatment. Thus, serological surveillance programs for cattle grubs conducted during this posttreatment period will not be influenced by treatment with ivermectin. The persistence of antibody levels after larval destruction makes the indirect ELISA unsuitable for the prediction of the efficacy of treatment.

Myiasis due to Hypoderma lineatum infection mimicking the hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Myiasis is the infestation of live humans with larvae of Diptera (true flies). This report describes a protracted illness caused by infestation with Hypoderma lineatum, resembling the hypereosinophilic syndrome. A 35-year-old man had a 9-month multisystemic illness with pronounced eosinophilia, pleuritis, pericarditis, and myositis. Treatments including glucocorticoids did not alter the disease. Diagnostic studies included computed tomography, 2-dimensional echocardiography, leukocyte count, surgical biopsy of skin and muscle, blood immunoglobulin levels, and blood chemistry. Myiasis was recognized when a worm emerged from the patient's skin; after a second worm emerged, the patient's symptoms disappeared rapidly. Other determinations included IgE and IgG levels specific for H lineatum, Western blot, and immunofluorescence for eosinophil major basic protein; IgG antibodies to H lineatum decreased after emergence of the worms. The patient's symptoms mimicked the hypereosinophilic syndrome but resolved when the myiasis became apparent. Specific serologic analyses can identify infected patients, and ivermectin may be useful as treatment.

[Treatment of oestriasis and hypodermosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) with ivermectin (Ivomec)]. / Die Bekämpfung der Oestrinose und Hypodermose bei Rothirsch (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) und Reh (Capreolus c. capreolus) mittels Ivermectin (Ivomec).

In two test areas in Austria (Burgenland, Lower Austria) ivermectin has been used to control oestrinosis and hypodermosis in red- and roe deer since many years (1985 and 1987, respectively). The results until 1992, using the injectable solution Ivomec-injection 1% only, have been reported (Kutzer, 1994). In continuation of these tests Ivomec-Praemix 0.6% was examined and it turned out that the treatment was extremely successful. In practice Ivomec-Praemix 0.6% has to be given preference due to its stability. The most favourable dosage for red- and roe deer was 2 x 0.4 mg ivermectin/kg bodyweight administered at an interval of one week, although equally good results could be obtained with 1 x 0.3-0.4 mg ivermectin/kg bodyweight. With the above mentioned dosages against Pharyngomyia picta and Cephenemyia stimulator an up to 100% and against Hypoderma actaeon a 100% success of treatment could be achieved. The administration in two doses has the advantage to eradicate intestinal and lung nematodes at the same time if there are any. Finally, it was found that the controlling measures should not be interrupted for more than one year, if no treatment was done in the neighbouring hunting grounds.

Efficacy of a pour-on formulation of doramectin against lice, mites, and grubs of cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effectiveness of a pour-on formulation of doramectin against Damalinia bovis, Haematopinus eurysternus, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus, Chorioptes bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Hypoderma bovis, and Hypoderma lineatum. ANIMALS: Cattle of various ages with naturally acquired or artificial infestations with 1 or more species of lice, mites, or grubs. PROCEDURE: In 10 louse and 6 mite studies, cattle were treated with doramectin (500 microg/kg, topically) on day 0, and parasite counts were performed approximately weekly from days 0 to 35. In 6 grub studies, cattle expected to harbor Hypoderma spp were treated before emergence of warbles. After warbles began to emerge, they were counted every 2 weeks, and grubs were collected and identified by species. RESULTS: Burdens of D bovis, H eurystemus, L vituli, and S capillatus on doramectin-treated cattle were 0 by 28 days after treatment. Burdens of C bovis and S scabiei decreased to 0 in naturally infested cattle and approximately 0 in artificially infested cattle by day 14 to 15. In grub studies, 107 of 136 control cattle had warbles, whereas 2 of 136 doramectin-treated cattle had 1 warble each, which represented a cure rate of 98.5%. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: One topical application of doramectin was highly efficacious against common species of lice, mites, and grubs known to affect performance, health, and appearance of cattle.

Activity of moxidectin 1% injectable solution against first instar Hypoderma spp. in cattle and effects on antibody kinetics.

The activity of the moxidectin as an 1% w/v injectable solution on first instar Hypoderma spp. has been evaluated in sixteen naturally infested young cattle. The animals were selected on the basis of their serological status and allocated to two groups of eight animals. At the end of November, one group was treated with moxidectin at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg via the subcutaneous route and the non treated control calves injected with the vehicle. The serological status was assessed 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post treatment and the presence of Hypoderma lumps determined every two weeks from February to June. A 100% efficacy of the injectable formulation was demonstrated. A progressive fall of the antibody levels was observed in the treated calves for one month following treatment, suggesting a progressive action of the test compound and a limited risk of hypersensitivity.

Comparative efficacy of different insecticides in the treatment of cattle hypodermosis in north-eastern Algeria.

The efficacy of different drugs (microdose of ivermectin, doramectin and moxidectin at the recommended doses and topically applied rotenone) against the first, second and third instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis and H. lineatum was studied in cattle in the El Tarf area (northeastern Algeria). Before performing the efficacy trials, the life cycle of the warble fly was studied at the slaughterhouse between July 1993 and June 1994. This survey revealed that both species of warble fly were present in this area: L1 larvae of H. lineatum were found around the oesophagus between August and January, whereas L1 larvae of H. bovis were observed around the spine from November until March. Warbles were present under the skin from the end of October until May. The nymphal phase took place between February and May. As a result of this study the authors recommend applying chemoprophylaxis (treatment against L1) in September. This work also confirmed the excellent efficacy of avermectins and milbemycins against the three instar larvae of Hypoderma sp. under the field conditions prevailing in Algeria. Rotenone has a lower efficacy (95%) which is limited to the second and third instar larvae. However, this drug appears useful in dairy cattle.