Efficacy of fipronil/(S)-methoprene/eprinomectin/praziquantel (Broadline(®)) against Thelazia callipaeda in naturally infected cats

BACKGROUND: The present clinical field trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a broad-spectrum parasiticide spot-on formulation containing eprinomectin (Broadline(®)) against Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm in naturally infected cats. METHODS: Fifteen privately owned cats harboring at least one live adult T. callipaeda were included in the study. Cats were randomly allocated to an untreated control group of seven cats or to a Broadline(®)-treated group of eight cats. Cats were treated on Day 0; ocular examinations were performed at inclusion and on Days 7 and 14; eyeworms were recovered and counted on Day 14. The primary efficacy assessment was based on group comparison of number of T. callipaeda on Day 14. RESULTS: Seven days after treatment, six of eight treated cats were negative for eyeworm infection per visual examination, and on Day 14 no eyeworms were found in the treated cats while the seven untreated cats were still infected (geometric mean: 1.97). All cats had inflammatory ocular signs at inclusion; on Day 14, five of eight treated cats had recovered while all untreated control cats were still symptomatic. All collected parasites were confirmed to be T. callipaeda by morphology and molecular characterization. CONCLUSIONS: A single treatment with Broadline(®) provided 100% efficacy against feline thelaziosis and improved related ocular inflammation signs. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]