Rhipicephalus microplus is mainly controlled by acaricides. However, reports of resistance to acaricides including macrocyclic lactones (MLs) have become frequent worldwide. Involvement of ABC transporters (ABCts) in populations resistant to ivermectin has been demonstrated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin, eprinomectin and moxidectin with and without use of synergistic cyclosporin A (CsA) in resistant populations of R. microplus using larval immersion tests (LITs). Engorged females were collected from four farms in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil that had histories of continuous use of ivermectin. Questionnaires were applied to collect information about management aimed at controlling ticks on these farms. Resistance to MLs was observed on all of the farms. There was statistically significant synergism (p < 0.05) between CsA and ivermectin in all populations; between CsA and eprinomectin in only one population; and between CsA and moxidectin in two populations. It was concluded that, despite the involvement of ABCts in the mechanisms of resistance to ivermectin, metabolic detoxification does not seem to be the mechanism predominantly involved in resistance to eprinomectin and moxidectin in the populations of R. microplus evaluated.
Keywords: Macrocyclic lactones; Resistance; Synergy; Ticks.
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