Premium
Efficacy of pre‐treatment with lufenuron for the prevention of Microsporum canis infection in a feline cohabitant‐challenge model
Author(s) -
Deboer D. J.,
Moriello K. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3164.2002.00298_9.x
Subject(s) - lufenuron , microsporum canis , cats , canis , medicine , placebo , neutering , veterinary medicine , physiology , biology , immunology , dermatology , pathology , antifungal , paleontology , alternative medicine , pesticide , agronomy
We previously observed a trend towards clinically milder or delayed Microsporum canis infections in cats pre‐treated with lufenuron, suggesting a possible effect of this drug in limiting dermatophyte growth. We sought to determine the effect of pre‐treatment with lufenuron on development of M. canis infections induced via exposure to an infected cat. Lufenuron suspension (100 to 140 mg kg −1 orally, once monthly; or 40 mg subcutaneously, every 6 months) or placebo was administered to groups of eight juvenile cats. After 4 months of treatment, cats were challenged by introducing cats with mild, experimentally induced M. canis infections into the rooms. The extent of any resulting infection was monitored for 22 weeks after challenge. All cats became infected with M. canis . Cats treated with lufenuron had significantly lower infection scores during the early weeks following exposure, and there was a more prolonged initial progression phase of the infection. Once infections reached peak intensity, they resolved over a similar time period in both treated and control groups. We conclude that lufenuron, when used at the dose schedule and under the conditions in this study, did not prevent dermatophyte infection by exposure to an experimentally infected cat. The delay in establishment of infection may reflect an inhibitory effect of lufenuron on the organism that is measurable, but not sufficient to prevent development of infection under these conditions. This study was supported by Novartis Animal Health.