Safety and pharmacokinetics of praziquantel in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis)

Stettler, Marion; Lotz, Christian; Probst, Alexandra; Marreros, Nelson; Lundström-Stadelmann, Britta; Frey, Caroline F.; Keiser, Jennifer; Hofer, Andreas; Hoby, Stefan (2024). Safety and pharmacokinetics of praziquantel in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 54(4), pp. 728-737. American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 10.1638/2023-0031

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Spirorchiidosis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Spirorchis, is a disease of great concern for the critically endangered European pond turtle (EPT; Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland. The endogenous life cycle of the parasite often leads to systemic inflammatory reactions, thrombosis, and death. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the treatment of choice against adult Spirorchis spp. in green (Chelonia mydas) and in loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles and is therefore considered for the treatment of EPT. This study aimed to establish a safe, easily applicable PZQ treatment for EPT, based on pharmacokinetics and tolerability. Three application methods were tested in a total of 12 adult EPT. Each turtle received a total of 75 mg/kg PZQ (three doses of 25 mg/kg in 3-h intervals [q3h × 3]) via IM (n = 3 turtles), SC (n = 3 turtles), or PO (n = 6 turtles) administration. Blood was collected 3, 6, 24, and 48 h after the first administration to determine the plasma concentration of PZQ using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Maximum measured R-PZQ concentrations (Cmax) were reached after 6 h. The mean Cmax of the total PZQ (sum of R- and S-PZQ) in the PO-treated EPT group was 1,929 ng/ml. Significantly higher concentrations were measured after IM and SC injection (mean Cmax of total PZQ = 12,715 ng/ml and 10,114 ng/ml, respectively). Transient side effects were evident after IM administration (local swelling and lameness), whereas no adverse drug effects were observed after PO and SC administration. Based on these results and the ease of administration to EPT, SC injection of PZQ at 25 mg/kg q3h times 3 serves as promising treatment application for the future.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Multifunctional Forest Management School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Multifunctional Forest Management > Forest Ecosystem and Management
Name:	Stettler, Marion; Lotz, Christian; Probst, Alexandra; Marreros, Nelson0000-0001-6802-4912; Lundström-Stadelmann, Britta0000-0003-2672-5766; Frey, Caroline F.0000-0002-6478-7493; Keiser, Jennifer0000-0003-0290-3521; Hofer, Andreas and Hoby, Stefan
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
ISSN:	1937-2825
Publisher:	American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Language:	English
Submitter:	Nelson Marreros
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2024 11:03
Last Modified:	26 Jan 2024 11:03
Publisher DOI:	10.1638/2023-0031
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.20972
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/20972