A single subcutaneous administration of a sustained-release ivermectin suspension eliminates Psoroptes cuniculi infection in a rabbit farm

Abstract

Background: Psoroptes cuniculi mites are the most common ear parasites infesting breeding female rabbits. The suffering rabbits show cutaneous signs of the infestation in the ears and are prone to secondary infections.

Objectives: This trial was conducted to eliminate P. cuniculi in farm rabbits with a sustained-release ivermectin-loaded solid dispersion suspension (IVM-SD) suspension, and studied the stability of the formulation.

Animals: There were 986 breeding female Hyplus rabbits naturally infected with P. cuniculi.

Methods: All rabbits infected with P. cuniculi were subcutaneously administered with a single dose of IVM-SD suspension at 2 mg/kg body weight. Twenty-seven rabbits with severe infections were observed daily and examined on days 0 and 14 to score the lesions and count mites in crusts.

Results: Fourteen days after the treatment no live mites were detected, demonstrating 100% therapeutic efficacy. The mean lesion scores decreased from 4.33 to 0.11 in the left ears and from 4.22 to 0.22 in the right ears. No reinfection occurred within 60 days of treatment.

Conclusions: A single subcutaneous administration of the IVM-SD suspension at 2 mg/kg was effective in eliminating P. cuniculi infection in the rabbit farm.

Keywords:

• Ivermectin suspension
• subcutaneous
• Psoroptes cuniculi
• pharmacodynamics
• solid dispersion

Acknowledgements

The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of this organization.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Henan Province Programs for Science and Technology Development in China (182102110341) and Research and Development of a Long-acting Injectable Suspension of Ivermectin (LA-IVM) to Control Parasites in Ruminant Livestock in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and China (OPP1088557) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/Quick-Links/Grants-Database/Grants/2013/11/OPP1088557).