Researchers report that isoxazolines, a class of oral insecticides used for protection against fleas and ticks in animals, were effective against various disease vectors, including multiple mosquito and sand fly genera; preclinical data suggest that a single dose of less than 500 mg in humans could yield insecticidal plasma concentrations for at least 2 months, suggesting the potential of isoxazolines for controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika, and leishmaniasis.
Article #18-01338: "Repurposing isoxazoline veterinary drugs for control of vector-borne human diseases," by Marie Miglianico et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Emery, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA; tel: 301-873-6952; e-mail: <cemery@scripps.edu>
###
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences