Efficacy of Malarone(®) in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni

J Vet Med Sci. 2014 Sep;76(9):1291-5. doi: 10.1292/jvms.14-0139. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Abstract

The efficacy of Malarone(®) alone and in combination with doxycycline (DOXY) against Babesia gibsoni infections was examined in 8 dogs. In all dogs except one treated with Malarone(®), parasitemia decreased, and anemia improved soon after initiation of treatment. However, 3 of 4 dogs treated with Malarone(®) relapsed, and relapse was inhibited in 2 of 4 dogs treated with Malarone(®) and DOXY. All relapsed dogs responded well to the second treatment, but 1 dog relapsed again and did not respond to the third treatment. Malarone(®) may be useful for acute stage of B. gibsoni infections, and at least second repeating treatment might be effective.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Atovaquone / administration & dosage
  • Atovaquone / pharmacology*
  • Atovaquone / therapeutic use
  • Babesia / growth & development*
  • Babesiosis / drug therapy
  • Babesiosis / parasitology*
  • Bilirubin / analysis
  • Blood Cell Count / veterinary
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Creatinine / blood
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology*
  • Dogs
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology*
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / veterinary
  • Female
  • Globulins / analysis
  • Male
  • Parasitemia / drug therapy
  • Parasitemia / parasitology
  • Parasitemia / veterinary*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Proguanil / administration & dosage
  • Proguanil / pharmacology*
  • Proguanil / therapeutic use
  • Serum Albumin / analysis

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Drug Combinations
  • Globulins
  • Serum Albumin
  • atovaquone, proguanil drug combination
  • Creatinine
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Doxycycline
  • Bilirubin
  • Proguanil
  • Atovaquone