Evaluation of Side Effects and Long-Term Protection of a Sustained-Release Injectable Moxidectin Formulation against <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> Infection in Dogs: An Observational—In Field Multicentric Study
2022
Cristina Vercelli | Luigi Bertolotti | Elisa Gelsi | Carlo Gazza | Giovanni Re
The sustained-release moxidectin formulation Afilaria SR is a relatively new product and has been labelled to prevent <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> infection in dogs for a six months-period. An observational, in field multicentric study was performed, aiming to evaluate the tolerability and the long-term prevention of Afilaria SR in Italy, a country where filariasis is endemic. The study was designed to include not less than 300 dogs, older than 6 months, of any breed. Side effects were recorded by veterinarians and antigenic tests were performed after 210, 365, 730, and 1095 days after the administration of the drug. A total of 583 dogs were recruited from 2018 to 2021 and all of them were negative with respect to antigenic tests at all time points, indicating that 100% of protection was achieved. Ranking of adverse reactions and correlation to patient features were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ2 square test, respectively. Afilaria SR was well tolerated: 13% of dogs experienced mild reactions and only two dogs out of 583 (0.3%) demonstrated anaphylactoid/angioneurotic reactions, resolved administering corticosteroids. These data support that Afilaria SR prevented <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> disease in all enrolled dogs and the low number and the low grade of side effects indicate the high safety profile of the product.
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