Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test Research Articles

Development of resistance to eprinomectin in gastrointestinal nematodes in a goat herd with pre-existing resistance to benzimidazoles

We described a first case of resistance to eprinomectin in goat herd in Poland in which resistance to benzimidazoles had been previously reported. The herd was established in 2011 by purchasing several goats from a single herd in south-eastern Poland. Resistance to benzimidazoles in the herd was first reported in 2017. Shortly after the owner started to signal low effectiveness of the treatment with eprinomectin. In June 2018 the larval development test from pooled faecal sample was performed and the results indicated the presence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones and levamisole. In July 2018 a faecal egg count (FEC) reduction test was performed in 39 animals with levamisole, eprinomectin and one untreated control group. Drugs were used in doses recommended for goats. Three methods of calculation of FEC reduction were compared. After eprinomectin treatment, FEC reduction ranged from 0 to 20%, depending on the method of calculation. FEC reduction following levamisole treatment was 100%. Main species present in the faecal samples after treatment and in larvicidal concentrations in larval development test was Haemonchus contortus. This is the first report of anthelminthic resistance to macrocylic lactones (eprinomectin) in goats in Poland.

Implication of the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in sheep for better use of available drugs.

The aim here is to present data on the efficacy of anthelmintics in sheep flocks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to discuss the interpretation of the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) for each nematode genus. Fecal eggs counts and pre- and post-treatment coprocultures were performed, the former to evaluate the efficacy of and the latter to determine the overall parasite prevalence. An additional efficacy test was performed at Farm # 1 a year after the initial test. Severe anthelmintic resistance was found for the flocks, with no FECRT sensitivity at any of the 22 farms evaluated. However, an analysis of the infective larvae showed that some drugs were effective against certain parasitic genera; i.e., levamisole was more effective against Haemonchus spp. and moxidectin against Trichostrongylus spp. In the additional FECRT performed at Farm # 1, moxidectin and nitroxynil were ineffective separately, but when applied in combination they were highly effective due to their efficacy against Haemonchus (nitroxynil) and Trichostrongylus (moxidectin), respectively. The use of the FECRT targeting the parasitic nematode species prevalent on farms may make it possible to choose more effective anthelmintics.

Multiple drug resistance in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: an emerging threat?

BackgroundThe canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum is the most prevalent and important intestinal nematode parasite of dogs in the USA. Hookworms are typically well controlled by treatment with all commonly used anthelmintics that are approved for this use in dogs. However, in the past few years, cases of recurrent/persistent canine hookworm infections appear to have dramatically increased, suggesting that anthelmintic resistance (AR) may have evolved in this parasite. These cases are highly overrepresented by greyhounds, but multiple other breeds are also represented. The aim of this study was to characterize several of these suspected resistant isolates using in vitro, genetic and clinical testing to determine if these cases represent true anthelmintic resistance in A. caninum.MethodsFecal samples containing hookworm eggs from three cases of persistent hookworm infections; one from a greyhound, one from a miniature schnauzer and one from a hound-mix, were received by our laboratory. These were then used to establish infections in laboratory dogs and to perform egg hatch assays (EHA) and larval development assays (LDA) for detecting resistance to benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones, respectively. Additional EHA and LDA were performed on eggs recovered from the laboratory-induced infections. Fecal egg count reduction tests were performed to detect resistance to pyrantel. Deep amplicon sequencing assays were developed to measure the frequency of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at codons 167, 198 and 200 of the A. caninum isotype-1 β-tubulin gene.ResultsResistance ratios for the three A. caninum isolates tested ranged from 6.0 to > 100 and 5.5 to 69.8 for the EHA and LDA, respectively. Following treatment with pyrantel, reduction in faecal egg counts was negative or 0%. Deep amplicon sequencing of the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene identified a high frequency of resistance-associated SNPs at codon 167 in all three resistant isolates and in two additional clinical cases.ConclusionsThese data conclusively demonstrate multiple anthelmintic resistance in multiple independent isolates of A. caninum, strongly suggesting that this is an emerging problem in the USA. Furthermore, evidence suggest that these resistant hookworms originate from racing greyhound farms and kennels, though additional research is needed to confirm this.

Anthelmintic activity of Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil and its major component, citronellal, on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes.

This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil and citronellal on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. Essential oil composition was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The substances were evaluated in vitro using adult worm motility test (AWMT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The acute toxicity test in mice and the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in sheep were performed. Citronellal was confirmed as the essential oil major constituent (63.9%). According to the AWMT, 2 mg/mL of essential oil and citronellal completely inhibited Haemonchus contortus motility at 6 h post exposure. H. contortus exposed to essential oil and citronellal exhibited internal ultrastructural modifications. The lethal dose 50 values in mice were 5,000 and 2,609 mg/kg for essential oil and citronellal, respectively. E. citriodora essential oil reduced sheep epg at 14 days post treatment by 69.5% (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in epg between the citronellal and negative control groups (P>0.05). The interaction between citronellal and other constituents in the essential oil may be relevant for its in vivo anthelmintic activity. Thus, E. citriodora essential oil and citronellal pharmacokinetic studies may help elucidate the anthelmintic activity of these compounds.

In Vivo and In Vitro Pharmacodynamics of Anthelmintic Medication Used in Sheep

Our research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments in sheep, as well as the resistance occurrence risk for the most commonly used substances. Anthelmintic medication efficacy was evaluated on 30 animals from a private farm, located in Sânmihaiu Almaşului, Sălaj County. In vivo studies were performed by using Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) and testing an albendazole-based (ABZ) product. In vitro, we used Egg Hatch Assay (EHA) and Larval Development Assay (LDA) for albendazole (ABZ), mebendazole (MBZ), fenbendazole (FBZ), thiabendazole (TBZ) and ivermectin (IVM) (only for LDA). FECRT showed that intestinal nematodes developed resistance phenomena against the ABZ-based product, with an extensivity of 80% at seven days post therapy, an egg reduction percentage of 41.89% at seven days post-therapy and 43.9% at 14 days post-therapy. The in vitro EHA highlighted a superior efficacy of TBZ (egg hatch percentage at reference concentration being 51.21) compared to ABZ (71.89%), MBZ (84.46%) and FBZ (79.22%), with a minimum risk of anthelmintic resistance. The LDA test revealed the superior efficacy of FBZ (MIC 0.59 mcg/ml) and IVM (MIC 0.078 mcg/ml), with a minimal risk of inducing parasitic resistance. All in vivo and in vitro tests revealed a limited ABZ efficacy, recommending avoiding the therapy with this substance.

Detection of Gastrointestinal Nematode Populations Resistant to Albendazole and Ivermectin in Sheep

Simple SummaryGastrointestinal parasite infections represent a major welfare problem in small ruminants reared in extensive systems, which may be exacerbated by anthelmintic resistance. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of two commonly used anthelmintic drugs in sheep reared in the Mexican temperate zone. We found that the genera Cooperia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were the nematodes predominant in all experimental animals. We also found that the sheep flock naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes in the temperate zone (i.e., central valley) of the State of Mexico exhibit anthelmintic resistance with marked and potentially detrimental effects on sheep welfare and production. Both albendazole and ivermectin proved to be only partly effective for the treatment of both Cooperia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. Therefore, we suggest that nematode infections should be systematically monitored in order to implement integrated management strategies to control nematodiasis more effectively, limit anthelmintic resistance and promote sheep welfare and production.Gastrointestinal parasite infections represent a major welfare problem in small ruminants reared in extensive systems, which may be exacerbated by anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, we aimed to study the efficacy of albendazole and ivermectin in sheep. Eighty-six animals were selected from commercial farms in the temperate area of the State of Mexico at the age of seven months. These animals were randomly distributed into three groups: Group A, treated with albendazole, Group I, treated with ivermectin and Group C, left untreated. Faecal samples were collected before the anthelmintic was administered and 15 days post-treatment. Both Group A and Group I displayed a significant decrease of faecal egg counts when pre- and post-treatment values were compared (p = 0.003 and p = 0.049, respectively), and a significantly lower faecal egg count when compared with Group C after the treatment (p < 0.05). However, the faecal egg count reduction test showed that gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) developed anthelmintic resistance to both albendazole and ivermectin. The results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allowed the identification of Cooperia spp., and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The allele-specific PCR results confirmed that T. colubriformis was resistant to albendazole. In conclusion, this study showed the presence of resistant GIN to albendazole and ivermectin in sheep reared in Mexican temperate zones. Therefore, nematode infections should be systematically monitored in order to implement integrated management strategies to prevent the spread of anthelmintic resistance.

Anthelmintic activity of crude powder and crude aqueous extract of Trachyspermum ammi on gastrointestinal nematodes in donkey (Equus asinus): An in vivo study.

Trachyspermum ammi has been used traditionally as a popular ethnobotanical plant in human and animal parasitic infestations. Few scientific studies have been conducted on in vitro anthelmintic activity of T.ammi against various helminths and there is no study on its in vivo/in vitro anthelmintic properties against equine helminths. The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo anthelmintic activity of crude powder (CP) and crude aqueous extract (CAE) of T.ammi seeds against gastrointestinal nematodes in the donkey. Thirty donkeys, naturally and severely infected with Strongyle-type nematodes, were randomly divided into six groups and administered orally with graded doses of CP and CAE at single dose as follow: Two groups were treated with 1 and 3 gkg-1 body weight of CP, two groups were treated with CAE at the equivalent dose rate 1 and 3 gkg-1 bw of CP and one group was treated with 200 μgkg-1 bw of Ivermectin 0.2% (Positive Control). One group received no medication (Negative Control). Efficacy was determined by faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test. The faecal samples were taken from the donkeys on days 7, 14 and 28 post-treatments (PT) and the egg per gram (EPG) of faeces was determined for each animal. FECR for donkeys treated with CP, CAE, and Ivermectin 0.2% was calculated on days 7, 14, and 28 PT. In the present study, CAE was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine CAE chemical components. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a marker (thymol) was applied to confirm the existence of thymol as an active principle. Based on the FECR findings, the maximum FECR (71.2%) was observed in the group treated with CAE3 on day 14 PT, while it was 66.2% for CP3 on the same day. The effects of different treatments (P < 0.001), time (P < 0.001) and their interactions (P < 0.05) on EPG showed a significant difference. A dose-dependent response in the anthelmintic activity of CP and CAE was observed. GC-MS analysis indicated that thymol was the major component of CAE (Area = 45.01%) with the respective peak at retention times (Rt) 10.41 min. On HPLC analysis of CAE, thymol was found to be the major constituent of CAE (Area = 58.76%) with the same Rt at 13.233 min. The present study indicated that both CP and CAE of T.ammi had the dose-dependent anthelmintic effects. Due to the development of drug resistance against synthetic anti-helminthics, T.ammi seems to be a promising alternative for the treatment and prevention of helminths in livestock.

New era of parasite control

Control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) may have economic and health impacts in beef cattle operations. In the past several decades, GIN control has relied almost exclusively on the use of anthelmintics. With the increase in anthelmintic resistance (AR) new strategies must be developed. Knowledge of GIN biology and epidemiology in the region based on climate and weather, and specific information from the ranch, such as quantitative fecal egg counts, estimates of AR through fecal egg count reduction tests, ages of the cattle and pasture management are necessary to develop GIN control programs. Control programs should integrate grazing management, management of the immune system so cattle can resist infection, and anthelmintic use.

The importance of anthelmintic efficacy monitoring: results of an outreach effort.

Anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomin parasites is widespread. A surveillance-based parasite control program using fecal egg counts (FECs) and fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) to decrease anthelmintic use and monitor treatment efficacy is recommended. The purpose of this study was to examine shifts in equine parasite control program management practices via a short course presented by the Penn State Extension, and to highlight how data collected from these programs is useful for monitoring anthelmintic efficacy on a large scale. Horse owners were enrolled after participating in a short course and filled out questionnaire surveys about their parasite management programs pre and post study, horse information, and farm information. FECs were performed at three time points, and horses above a 300 strongyle eggs per gram cut-off were treated with pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, or ivermectin. Two weeks post-treatment, FECRTs were performed to determine treatment efficacy, which included 29 farms with 513 individual treatments. Prior to the study, only 30.6% of farms used FECs, but after the study, 97.3% of farms said they would use FECs in the future. Horses were given an average of 4.1 anthelmintic treatments per year before the study, and post study 89.2% of farms were able to reduce the number of anthelmintic treatments used. Fenbendazole was effective on zero farms, pyrantel pamoate on 7.4% of farms, and ivermectin on 92.9% of farms. This outreach project helped generate information about anthelmintic efficacy levels, causing a shift in practices on participating farms, and collected useful anthelmintic resistance data.

Current anthelmintic treatment is not always effective at controlling strongylid infections in German alpaca herds

BackgroundEndoparasites are considered a major health problem of South American camelids as shown in a recent survey among German and Austrian camelid owners. Although prophylactic and therapeutic measures such as application of anthelmintics are commonly used, treatment efficacy is usually not assessed. Owners have expressed significant concerns regarding the effect of antiparasitic therapy, so this study aimed to evaluate the outcome of anthelmintic treatment in German alpaca herds with different drugs.ResultsOverall, 617 samples from 538 clinically healthy alpacas > 1 year-old from 27 farms (n = 11–157 animals/herd) were examined. The most common parasites detected by flotation were Eimeria spp. (75.1%) followed by strongylids (55.0%), Nematodirus spp. (19.3%), cestodes (3.1%) and Trichuris (2.7%). After initial coproscopical examination by flotation and strongylid egg quantification by the McMaster technique, positive animals excreting at least 150 eggs per gram of faeces were included in a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) using fenbendazole (n = 71 samples), moxidectin (n = 71) or monepantel (n = 66). Pre-treatment larval cultures (n = 23 positive pooled farm samples) revealed Haemonchus (87% of the farms), Cooperia (43.5%), Trichostrongylus (21.7%), Ostertagia (13.0%), Nematodirus and Oesophagostomum (4.3% each). Fenbendazole treatment reduced egg excretion by 45%, moxidectin by 91% and monepantel by 96%. On the farm level, 13/18 farms that used fenbendazole, 6/6 farms that used moxidectin and 2/5 farms that used monepantel had individual FECR values < 90% (fenbendazole) or < 95% (moxidectin, monepantel). Haemonchus and Cooperia were overrepresented on the farms with reduced treatment efficacy.ConclusionsGastrointestinal strongylids are common in German alpacas and fenbendazole in particular was not sufficiently effective to reduce strongylid egg excretion. Although the FECRT could not unambiguously determine anthelmintic resistance in the present study, the finding that small ruminant strongylids, especially Haemonchus, are common in alpacas indicates that determination of effective anthelmintic doses, monitoring of efficacy and adapted (selective) treatment regimens must be implemented as part of sustainable deworming practices in this species in accordance with recommendations for ruminants.

Anthelmintic efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes in goats raised under mountain farming conditions in northern Italy

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintics in goats raised under mountain farming conditions in northern Italy. On 8 goat farms (n = 143 animals), a faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test was done after farmers conducted their routine anthelmintic treatments. Furthermore, on 5 goat farms (n = 135 animals) a FECR test was done under controlled conditions applying oral formulations of a macrocyclic lactone (ML), benzimidazole (BZ) (partly in combination with salicylanilide (SA)) or a combination of imidazothiazole (IT) and SA on the same farm. AR was assumed if FECR and the upper confidence interval (CI) was < 95% and the lower 95% CI was < 90%.ResultsUnderdosing was found in 6 of the 8 farms tested after routine treatments. Out of the 6 routinely ML-treated goat flocks, only three were found where ML showed adequate efficacy. FECR in all others ranged between 64 and 93%. In one flock Trichostrongylus spp. and in one Haemonchus spp. larvae were identified after treatment. BZ-treated flocks had an efficacy of 99 and 37%. Larvae identified after treatment were Trichostrongylus spp. in one and Haemonchus spp. in the other flock. Under controlled conditions, ML had an adequate efficacy on 4 farms and a FECR of 88% on another one. BZ was effective on all farms. The combination of BZ and SA had a FECR of 99% on the farm it was tested. IT + SA in combination was effective on 2 farms and had a FECR of 91% on a third farm. Larvae identified after treatment were composed of Haemonchus spp. (ML and BZ), Trichostrongylus spp. (BZ) and Teladorsagia spp. (BZ and SA).ConclusionsThis first report on the prevalence of AR in goats in the mountainous region of South Tyrol reveals a low efficacy of the most commonly used anthelmintics after routine treatments. This might be explained by a high level of underdosing as observed in the farms. However, results from the controlled FECR tests suggest that the observed level of AR was lower but cannot be solely explained by underdosing.

Epidemiology of strongyle nematode infections and first report of benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus in goats in South Darfur State, Sudan

BackgroundSince pastoralists in South Darfur, Sudan, had complained about lack of albendazole (ABZ) efficacy to control nematodes in goats, the frequency of infection with gastrointestinal helminths was studied before in vivo faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) were conducted using ABZ orally either at the dose recommended for sheep, 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) or at 10 mg/kg bw. Experiments included goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes or experimentally infected with local Haemonchus contortus isolates. Three study areas (Nyala, Beleil and Kass) were visited in autumn or winter.ResultsOut of 478 screened goats, 82.4% were infected with gastrointestinal helminths and 82% were shedding eggs of strongyle nematodes with 90% of the strongyle larvae representing Haemonchus spp. A FECRT using naturally infected goats (n = 225: 71 untreated, 104 and 50 treated with 5 and 10 mg ABZ/kg bw, respectively) detected reduced ABZ efficacy in Nyala and Kass. Paired and unpaired FECRT calculations detected reductions of 72–92% with samples taken at 8 days post treatment with 5 mg ABZ/kg bw and of 85–94% with 10 mg ABZ/kg bw. The FECRT based on day 14 post treatment samples showed reductions of 69–77% with 5 mg/kg and of 75–87% with 10 mg ABZ/kg bw. In Beleil, ABZ efficacy was 95%. In the egg hatch test EC50 values for Nyala and Kass ranged from 0.12–0.24 μg thiabendazole/ml, corresponding to benzimidazole resistant phenotypes. Only Haemonchus spp. larvae were present after treatments in coprocultures. When the efficacy was evaluated experimentally using isolates of H. contortus from Nyala and Kass, the 5 mg ABZ/kg dose revealed reductions of 76–78% on day 8 and of 62–70% on day 14 with the unpaired method. Using 10 mg ABZ/kg, the FECR was still only 77–82%.ConclusionsBoth, in vivo and in vitro methods detected resistant H. contortus populations in goats from South Darfur State. The time point 14 days post treatment was more sensitive for detection of ABZ resistance than 8 days post treatment. This is the first report on the occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in Sudan confirming that anthelmintic resistance selection is occurring in African subsistence farming systems.

Ivermectin treatment failure on four Irish dairy farms

We report on the use of the faecal egg count reduction test to evaluate the performance of ivermectin in treating gastrointestinal nematode infections in first grazing season (FGS) calves on four dairy farms in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. On each farm, FGS calves were injected subcutaneously with ivermectin in accordance with their live weight (day 0). Calves were individually faecal sampled on both day 0 and day 14. Faecal egg counts were determined using the Mini-FLOTAC technique. Composite faecal cultures for each farm were performed on each sampling occasion. The faecal egg count reductions (mode) ranged from 17.3–80.2% with the lower 95% confidence limit ranging from 3.1–72.3% on the four farms, respectively. Ivermectin-resistant nematodes were detected on all farms, with evidence of Ostertagia resistance on one farm. This study highlights the urgent need for Irish producers to reappraise their parasite control practices.

First detection of ivermectin resistance in oesophagostomum dentatum in pigs

In 2016 suspected reduced ivermectin (IVM) efficacy in Oesophagostomum species in pigs was reported in England. Following this initial report, APHA raised awareness amongst private pig veterinary practitioners of the need to monitor the efficacy of the worm control on pig units. In 2017 another veterinary practitioner highlighted a potential in-field lack of IVM efficacy in treating Oesophagostomum species in sows on another breeder-finisher unit. In this trial, the efficacy of IVM against Oesophagostomum species worms has been investigated to determine whether suspected reduced efficacy (52% reduction in mean faecal egg count 14 days post ivermectin administration) on a mixed indoor and outdoor breeder-finisher pig farm in England reflected true IVM resistance under controlled experimental conditions. On days 0 and 40 of the trial, twenty helminth-naive pigs were artificially infected per os with 5000 Oesophagostomum L3 obtained from the farm under investigation. The pigs were allocated to treatment or control groups (n = 10 per group). Treatment group pigs received IVM (0.3 mg kg body weight) by sub-cutaneous injection as per manufacturer’s instructions on day 44. Control group animals were left untreated. Faecal worm egg counts were monitored throughout the trial from day 15 post infection to determine time to patency. On day 50 all pigs were euthanased to assess the worm burdens. Resistance to IVM was confirmed in Oesophagostomum dentatum based on the results of a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and a controlled efficacy test (CET). Efficacy based on mean reduction in faecal egg count of IVM-treated pigs compared to untreated control pigs was 86%. Mean reduction in IVM-treated pig worm burdens was 5% against an adult worm population and 94% against an L3/L4 population. The apparent discrepancy between FECRT and CET efficacy results appears to be due to egg development and/or oviposition suppression in IVM-treated female worms. The detection of IVM resistance in Oesophagostomum species worms for the first time in UK pigs is particularly important considering the global situation where resistance to pyrantel, levamisole and benzimidazole anthelmintics in Oesophagostomum species in pigs have already been reported. The results also provide an opportunity to discuss the wider issue of anthelmintic usage and efficacy on pig farms and highlight the need for wider surveillance for the occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in pigs.

Anthelmintic resistance in hair sheep farms in a sub-humid tropical climate, in the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico.

This is the first report about anthelmintic resistance (AR) in hair sheep farms determined in a sub-humid tropical climate, in an area known as Huasteca Potosina, Mexico. Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) and egg hatch in vitro tests were conducted to identify the level of AR against benzimidazole (BZ) in parasitic gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) populations. An allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was performed to obtain a 250 bp band, indicating resistance, and a 550 bp band, indicating susceptibility to BZ. Macrocyclic lactones (ML) and imidazothiazole (IMZ) drugs were also tested with the FECRT. A PROBIT analysis was conducted using SAS to determine the 50% lethal doses (LD50) of the drugs according to the egg hatch in vitro test. Resistance to BZ and ML was found on all farms (0-70% effectiveness), whereas the susceptibility of nematodes to IMZ was detected with the FECRT (93-100% effectiveness). The LD50 was higher than the discriminating dose (0.1 μg ml-1) for BZ and confirmed AR to this anthelmintic; we also confirmed a high AR frequency with AS-PCR. Therefore, we suggest that strategic deworming should be performed to avoid the development of resistance to imidazothiazole.

Lack of efficacy of triclabendazole against Fasciola hepatica is present on sheep farms in three regions of England, and Wales

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode that has a major impact on livestock production and human health. Control of F hepatica is difficult and relies on anthelmintics,...

Microscopic alterations in Fasciola hepatica from sheep treated with albendazole.

Currently, albendazole is one of the most commonly used drugs because of its affordability. The objective was to evaluate the histopathology of Fasciola hepatica specimens. For this, the efficacy test was performed on sheep treated with albendazole at the dose recommended for F. hepatica, in which the helminths recovered at necropsy were counted and separated for histology. Spermatogenic cells from parasites recovered from treated and control sheep were examined by microscopy. The fecal egg-count reduction test revealed 97.06% efficacy of albendazole in the treatment of F. hepatica. Changes in testicular tubule cells started 48 hours after treatment and became evident within 72 hours, at which point it became difficult to identify cell types. Primary and secondary spermatogonia became increasingly rare and intercellular vacuolization was more evident. Signs of apoptosis, with pycnotic nuclei and evidence of keriorrexia were observed at all times. Cell debris was identified 96 hours after treatment. The results indicated that parasitic spermatogenesis was severely affected by albendazole and demonstrated the importance of the use of histopathology for the diagnosis of therapeutic efficacy in field strains.

Efficacy of closantel, fenbendazole and ivermectin against GI helminths of cattle in central Kashmir

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of closantel (@ 7.5mg/kg body weight, orally), fenbendazole (@ 7.5mg/kg body weight, orally) and ivermectin bolus (@ 0.2mg/kg body weight, orally) against gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasites of cattle in central zone of Kashmir valley. Twenty cattle suffering from GI helminth infection were randomly selected and divided into two groups in each trial. In each trial, one group comprising of fifteen animals were treated with anthelmintic and second group comprising of five animals were kept as infected untreated control. To determine the therapeutic efficacy of different anthelmintic drugs against GI helminths, faecal samples were directly collected from rectum before treatment and on 7th, 14th and 28th day post treatment and eggs per gram of faeces was determined by using Stoll's method. Then the efficacy of different anthelmintics was calculated by employing Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test. On 14th day post treatment closantel was found to be 100 and 94.44% effective against Fasciola spp. and strongyle worms, respectively, however, it was not found effective against Trichuris spp. The efficacy of fenbendazole was 100% against Fasciola spp., paramphistomes, Moniezia spp., Trichuris spp. and strongyle worms on 14th day post treatment. Ivermectin was found to be 100% effective against Trichuris spp. and strongyle worms on 14th day post treatment, however, it was not effective against Fasciola spp. and paramphistomes.

Evaluation of Anthelmintics Resistance Against Gastrointestinal Parasites Infection in Awassi Sheep in Jordan and The use of Alternative Herbal Anthelmentics

This study aimed to uncover the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in middle and north Jordan and to check the in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of apple cider vinegar drench and ginger powder. For this purpose a parasitological study was designed, which used fecal egg count reduction test Two hundred seventy ewes were enrolled in this study, twenty sheep farms were enrolled in this study, which had concerns about anthelmintic efficacy. On each farm, 10 sheep were randomly allocated to one of six treatment groups and five for an untreated control group. Fecal samples were collected on day 0 and days 10-14 for worm egg counts and larval differentiation at 6:00 am at the time of milking. Based on the morphometric identification of larvae, Trichostrongylous 85% was the predominant species, Oestertagia 10% and Haemonchous 5%. There was resistant against all species in the used anthelmintic drug, the highest reduction was noticed in the Ivermectin group and the lowest reduction rate was noticed in albendazole groups. There was low resistance against ginger powder and apple cider vinegar which means that they have a strong anthelmintic effect against gastrointestinal parasites.

Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep raised under mountain farming conditions in Northern Italy

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in sheep raised under mountain farming conditions in South Tyrol (Northern Italy) was assessed on eight farms (n=99 animals). A faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test was...