In vitro susceptibility of nematophagous fungi to antiparasitic drugs: interactions and implications for biological control.

J. N. Vieira,P. S. Nascente,J. F. Mendes,F. S. Maia Filho,M. M. Villela,D. I. B. Pereira,C. L. Gonçalves,G. F. Ferreira

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.15715

J. N. Vieira, P. S. Nascente + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.15715

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Abstract

The fast anthelmintic resistance development has shown a limited efficiency in the control of animal's endoparasitosis and has promoted research using alternative control methods. The use of chemicals in animal anthelmintic treatment, in association with nematophagous fungi used for biological control, is a strategy that has proven to be effective in reducing the nematode population density in farm animals. This study aims to verify the in vitro susceptibility of the nematophagous fungi Arthrobotrys oligospora, Duddingtonia flagrans and Paecilomyces lilacinus against the antiparasitic drugs albendazole, thiabendazole, ivermectin, levamisole and closantel by using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). MICs ranged between 4.0 and 0.031 µg/mL for albendazole, thiabendazole and ivermectin, between 0.937 and 0.117 µg/mL for levamisole, and between 0.625 and 0.034 µg/mL for closantel. The results showed that all antiparasitic drugs had an in vitro inhibitory effect on nematophagous fungi, which could compromise their action as agents of biological control. D. flagrans was the most susceptible species to all drugs.

Highlights

Gastrointestinal helminths are one of the major conditions that interfere with the full development of the livestock industry (Mota et al, 2003), causing relevant damage, as they can lead to a delay in animal development, management overspending, reduced herd productivity, increased economic losses and, death (Caracostantogolo et al, 2013)
D. flagrans showed the highest sensitivity to the antiparasitic drugs tested, with albendazole showing the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) (0.031 μg/mL)
This incompatibility has been reported by studies which have demonstrated the influence of chemicals on entomopathogenic fungus viability (Barci et al, 2009) in another study, the fungus and insecticide employees were considered compatible, allowing their joint use in controlling (Anhalt et al, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Gastrointestinal helminths are one of the major conditions that interfere with the full development of the livestock industry (Mota et al, 2003), causing relevant damage, as they can lead to a delay in animal development, management overspending, reduced herd productivity, increased economic losses and, death (Caracostantogolo et al, 2013). The widespread use of anthelmintics has restricted the use of most chemicals, as evidenced by the occurrence of resistance, food residues and ecotoxic action (Cezar et al, 2008). These drawbacks have spurred the search for alternative control methods which can complement / reduce anthelmintic. Susceptibility of nematophagous fungi against antiparasitic drugs use in endoparasitoses control strategies in pasture-based production systems (Saumell et al, 2008). Biological control using nematophagous fungi appears as a promising strategy which can produce satisfactory results (Braga et al, 2008; Saumell et al, 2015)

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