The efficacy of the Seresto® (10% w/w imidacloprid/4.5% w/w flumethrin) collar was assessed based on the results of the various serological and molecular tests to detect exposure to CVBD pathogens (L. infantum, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp.) and ectoparasite counts (fleas and ticks) performed throughout the duration of the study.
A dog was considered positive for a given pathogen if exposure to the latter had been confirmed, either directly or indirectly, in one or more of the diagnostic tests. Dogs that tested negative for a particular or all CVBPs at study start were considered to be protected if the latter status was maintained until the final visit. The product was considered to be effective against fleas and ticks when the infestation intensity remained ≤ 1.
Only dogs that were followed up for at least 1 year (i.e. inclusion on SD 0 or SD 210 and at least 2 more time points of follow-up after inclusion) were included in the analyses. Dogs were excluded from the analyses if they tested positive in any of the CVBP tests performed at the day of inclusion. Dogs that tested positive in any of the tests at inclusion or/and during the study remained collared and were followed up like all other dogs.
Dogs were considered to be a treatment success if they had either no positive result in any of the follow-up tests or had only one positive ELISA result in any of the follow-up tests (the 1 positive result was considered to be a random positive test, possibly due to cross-reaction). Dogs were considered to be a treatment failure if they had either ≥ 2 positive ELISA results at follow-up time points, or a positive PCR result at the last evaluation time point.
A dog was considered positive for a given pathogen if exposure to the latter had been confirmed, either directly or indirectly, in one or more of the diagnostic tests. Dogs that tested negative for a particular or all CVBPs at study start were considered to be protected if the latter status was maintained until the final visit. The product was considered to be effective against fleas and ticks when the infestation intensity remained ≤ 1.
Only dogs that were followed up for at least 1 year (i.e. inclusion on SD 0 or SD 210 and at least 2 more time points of follow-up after inclusion) were included in the analyses. Dogs were excluded from the analyses if they tested positive in any of the CVBP tests performed at the day of inclusion. Dogs that tested positive in any of the tests at inclusion or/and during the study remained collared and were followed up like all other dogs.
Dogs were considered to be a treatment success if they had either no positive result in any of the follow-up tests or had only one positive ELISA result in any of the follow-up tests (the 1 positive result was considered to be a random positive test, possibly due to cross-reaction). Dogs were considered to be a treatment failure if they had either ≥ 2 positive ELISA results at follow-up time points, or a positive PCR result at the last evaluation time point.
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