Merial launches RECOMBITEK 4 Lepto to protect against disease and shedding
August 02, 2010
New vaccine guards against 4 most prevalent canine leptospirosis-causing bacteria
Merial Limited announces the launch of RECOMBITEK® 4 Lepto, a new 4-way vaccine that provides protection against Leptospira grippotyphosa for 15 months and prevents shedding of Leptospira spirochetes in the urine. Specifically the vaccine is labeled to prevent Leptospirosis and Leptospiruria caused by L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa. It also aids in the prevention of Leptospirosis and Leptospiruria caused by L. Pomona. 1
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide in domestic animals, wildlife and humans. It is caused by the spirochete bacteria Leptospira. The disease is similar in all animals and humans and may include fever, jaundice, kidney failure, abortion and death. Leptospira bacteria are shed in urine and survive for months to years in surface waters such as lakes, streams and rivers. 2 Therefore, prevention of shedding through vaccination may reduce the potential for further contamination of the local environment.
"Merial is pleased to add RECOMBITEK 4 Lepto to our armamentarium of canine vaccines," said Dr. Robert Menardi, director of Marketing, Pet Biologicals, Merial. "This nonadjuvanted 4-way Lepto vaccine gives veterinarians an excellent new option to help protect their canine patients against getting and potentially transmitting the deadly Leptospira bacteria."
In clinical trials, nine-week-old SPF puppies received two doses, 21 days apart, with a 1 mL dose of RECOMBITEK 4 Lepto. 470 days after the second dose, 20 vaccinated dogs and 21 control dogs were commingled and administered a virulent strain of canine Leptospira grippotyphosa. The results demonstrated 100 percent protection of dogs vaccinated with the RECOMBITEK 4 Lepto against the initial challenge and in spite of most of the vaccinates being commingled with infected, control dogs shedding spriochetes in their urine. Seventy-six percent of the control dogs developed leptospirosis.3
The vaccine was 100 percent effective in protecting against Leptospirosis and Leptospiruria caused by L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola, and 94.5 percent effective against Leptospirosis and Leptospiruria caused by L. Pomona.3
RECOMBITEK 4 Lepto Product Label
2The Merck Veterinary Manual Web site. Leptospirosis in dogs. Available at: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/51203.htm Assessed March 3, 2010.
3Data on file Merial.
®MERIAL and RECOMBITEK are registered trademarks of Merial.
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Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,700 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2009 sales were $2.6 billion. Merial is the Animal Health subsidiary of sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see www.merial.com