Efficacy of a topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner against induced infestations of Amblyomma americanum on cats and prevention of Cytauxzoon felis transmission

Cytauxzoonosis, caused by infection with Cytauxzoon fells, is the most severe tick-borne disease of cats. The purpose of our study was to determine the efficacy of selamectin (6.0 mg/kg) plus sarolaner (1.0 mg/kg) formulated in combination (Revolution (R) Plus / Stronghold (R) Plus, Zoetis) applied topically once a month on cats for three months against induced infestations of Amblyomma americanum adults and to evaluate the effectiveness of the product in preventing the transmission of C. fells. This study was conducted in two phases. Sixteen cats were dosed with selamectin/sarolaner or a placebo (vehicle control) on Days 0, 28, and 56. In phase 1, each cat was infested with 50 (+/- 5) unfed adult A. americanum on Day 4 and tick counts were conducted on Day 6 (48 h post infestation) and Day 7 (72 h post infestation) to evaluate acaricidal efficacy. In phase 2, to confirm acaricidal efficacy and evaluate prevention of C. fells transmission, each cat was infested on Day 60 with 50 (+/- 5) adult A. americanum acquisition fed as nymphs on two C. fells-infected donor cats. Tick counts were conducted on Day 62 (48 h post infestation) and Day 63 (72 h post infestation). Blood samples were collected on Days -9, 60, 70, 76, and 90 and tested for infection with C. fells. Placebo cats were adequately infested on all count days, with least squares (geometric) mean live tick counts ranging from 34.0 (28.8) to 46.1 (46.0). Treatment reduced the least squares (geometric) mean counts compared to placebo by 27.1 (32.1)% and 90.4 (96.8)% on Days 6 and 7, respectively. The corresponding percent reductions were 56.4 (60.6)% and 94.7 (97.3)% on Days 62 and 63, respectively Least squares mean counts were significantly lower in the treated group compared with the placebo group on all count days (P <= 0.0286). All cats were negative for C. fells by PCR prior to study start. In phase 2, seven cats in the control group and no cats in the selamectin/sarolaner group became infected with C. fells (P = 0.0017). Topical treatment with selamectin/sarolaner was > 90% effective in reducing A. americanum tick counts 72 h after infestation and prevented the transmission of C. fells from infected ticks following the third of three monthly treatments. Revolution (R) Plus / Stronghold (R) Plus offers an option for the control of A. americanum infestations on cats and for preventing the transmission of C. fells to cats.