Long-term efficacy of fluralaner (Exzolt®) in Gallus gallus domesticus against epidemiologically relevant triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae): a potential complementary strategy for Chagas disease control.

BACKGROUND

Chagas disease control relies primarily on vector control using pyrethroid insecticide sprays with residual action in domestic and peridomestic environments. However, the necessity for repeated applications and the development of pyrethroid resistance in some countries have undermined this strategy. Alternative control tools are needed, and host-targeted systemic insecticides offer an alternative approach by creating toxic blood meals for hematophagous vectors. In peridomestic settings, chickens are major blood meal sources for triatomines. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of orally administered fluralaner (Exzolt®) to chickens against six triatomine species of epidemiological relevance for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in Latin America: Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans, Triatoma dimidiata, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata and Panstrongylus megistus.

METHODS

Sixteen non-breeding chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were randomized by weight into four groups: group 1, untreated control (n = 4); group 2, treated with two doses of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® (n = 4); group 3, treated with two doses of 2.5 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® (n = 4); group 4, treated with two doses of 5.0 mg/kg fluralaner/Exzolt® (n = 4). To assess fluralaner (Exzolt®) efficacy, chickens were exposed to blood feeding by triatomines at baseline (day 0) and 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 56 and 77 days post-treatment. Mortality was monitored daily for up to 7 days after each feeding.

RESULTS

Treatment with 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg of Exzolt® resulted in 100% insecticidal activity in triatomines for up to 14, 21 and 28 days post-treatment, respectively. The 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg doses produced comparable insecticidal activity, both superior than that observed at 0.5 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of fluralaner (Exzolt®) to chickens induces 100% insecticidal activity and maintains insecticidal efficacy against multiple triatomine species for up to 28 and 56 days post-treatment, respectively. These findings highlighting the potential of fluralaner as a complementary vector control strategy for Chagas disease in endemic areas.