In Vivo Evaluation of an Ivermectin and Allicin Combination Treatment for Eradicating Poultry Red Mite

A safe and effective method for eradicating poultry red mite (PRM; Dermanyssus gallinae) is urgently needed, as existing treatments show a low efficacy or hazardous effects on chickens. We evaluated the efficacy of a combined treatment with ivermectin and allicin (IA) against PRMs in chickens and drug residues in non-target samples. The efficiency of PRM eradication by IA was compared with those of natural acaricides in vitro. Ivermectin (0.25 mg/mL) + allicin (1 mg/mL) (IA compound) was sprayed on isolator housing hens with PRMs. The PRM mortality rate, clinical symptoms, and ivermectin residue in hens were analyzed. IA showed the highest PRM-eradication efficacy among all tested compounds in vitro. The insecticidal rates of IA were 98.7%, 98.4%, 99.4%, and 99.9% at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of treatment, respectively. After inoculating PRMs, hypersensitivity, itching, and a pale-colored comb were observed in control animals, which were absent in treated hens. No clinical symptoms from IA and ivermectin residues were found in hens. IA effectively exterminated PRMs, demonstrating its potential for industrial use to treat PRMs.