Elevated and sustained anti‐feeding effect of Scalibor® deltamethrin collar against the sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus in dogs confirmed for 1 year following treatment

Dogs are reservoir hosts for Leishmania infantum, a protozoan parasite transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. The anti‐feeding and fast‐killing efficacy of Scalibor® deltamethrin collars against experimental Phlebotomus perniciosus challenges on dogs was determined over 1 year. Two groups of 8 dogs each were fitted with placebo (control) or deltamethrin collars (treated) on Day 0 and exposed to sand flies approximately every 28 days up to Day 364. After each exposure, anti‐feeding and fast‐killing efficacy rates were determined by comparing blood‐fed or live insects, respectively, in the treated vs. the control group. Blood‐fed and live sand flies were significantly less in treated dogs as compared to control dogs at each assessment. The anti‐feeding efficacy rate exceeded 90% except on Day 337 (89%) but increased again (96%) on Day 364. Fast killing efficacy was <74% over the study when considering all flies. However, this value increased cumulatively to 98% when only blood‐fed flies were compared between groups. Scalibor® collars are highly effective at preventing P. perniciosus blood‐feeding and in fast‐killing flies taking a blood meal for up to 1 year after application. These strong and long‐lasting effects are an important strategic component for L. infantum transmission control.