Evaluation the effect of albendazole against nematodes in sheep in Mosul, Iraq

M I Al-Farwachi,E K Mohamed

doi:10.33899/ijvs.2008.5662

Abstract

Six sheep farms in Mosul city, Iraq randomly selected, were surveyed for gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to Albendazole. On each of 6 sheep farms, 20 lambs were randomly distributed into two equal groups untreated control group, and albendazole (benzimidazole) group (10 mg/kg BW). Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were done at 7, 14, and 21 days after anthelmintic treatment. Resistance was apparent for albendazole on 4 farms out of 6 (66.7%). Post-treatment larval cultures indicated: Strongyloides papillosus , Marshalligia marshalli, Nematodirus spathiger and Haemonchus contortus .

Highlights

Parasitism, and gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in particular, is arguably the most serious constraint affecting small ruminant production worldwide
In the above mentioned farm, the lower limit of the 95% confidence intervals was 43.0 suggesting that virtually in all the farms, albendazole resistance nematodes occurred. (Anthelmintic resistance is suspected when there is less than 80% reduction in nematodes egg output following therapeutic dosage with anthlemintics)
The results of this study indicate that low levels of albendazole are effective against nematdes of sheep in the 4 farms out of 6 sheep farms examined

Summary

Introduction

Parasitism, and gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in particular, is arguably the most serious constraint affecting small ruminant production worldwide. Regular suppressive dosing of susceptible animals has been shown to result in the development of resistance in sheep nematodes [1,2]. Resistance to anthelmintics in a range of sheep gastrointestinal helminths has been reported from several countries [4]. Resistance has been reported most frequently in Haemonchus contortus and it can involve benzimida-zole, salicynilides, levamizole, morantel and ivermectin. In Europe, resistance in sheep nematodes has been reported from several countries including France [5]. Ivermectin resistant Haemonchus contortus in Louisiana lambs in U.S.A. In Iraq, there are few reports of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants. The current study was designed to examine resistance of nematodes to albendazole in a sample of randomly selected sheep farms in Mosul city (Iraq)

Methods

Results

Conclusion