Faecal Reduction Research Articles

Protection studies of an excretory\u2013secretory protein HcABHD against Haemonchus contortus infection

Unlike the successful immunization of native H. contortus antigens that contributed to the realization of the first commercial vaccine Barbervax, not many studies revealed the encouraging protective efficacies of recombinant H. contortus antigens in laboratory trials or under field conditions. In our preliminary study, H. contortus α/β-hydrolase domain protein (HcABHD) was demonstrated to be an immunomodulatory excretory–secretory (ES) protein that interacts with goat T cells. We herein evaluated the protective capacities of two HcABHD preparations, recombinant HcABHD (rHcABHD) antigen and anti-rHcABHD IgG, against H. contortus challenge via active and passive immunization trials, respectively. Parasitological parameter, antibody responses, hematological pathology and cytokine profiling in unchallenged and challenged goats were monitored and determined throughout both trials. Subcutaneous administration of rHcABHD with Freund adjuvants elicited protective immune responses in challenged goats, diminishing cumulative fecal egg counts (FEC) and total worm burden by 54.0% and 74.2%, respectively, whereas passive immunization with anti-rHcABHD IgG conferred substantial protection to challenged goats by generating a 51.5% reduction of cumulative FEC and a 73.8% reduction of total worm burden. Additionally, comparable changes of mucosal IgA levels, circulating IgG levels, hemoglobin levels, and serum interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A levels were observed in rHcABHD protein/anti-rHcABHD IgG immunized goats in both trials. Taken together, the recombinant version of HcABHD might have further application under field conditions in protecting goats against H. contortus infection, and the integrated immunological pipeline of ES antigen identification, screening and characterization may provide new clues for further development of recombinant subunit vaccines to control H. contortus.

In Vivo Anthelmintic Activity of Whole Plant Powder of Striga Hermonthica (Deli.) Benth

The fight against Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes is an urgent necessity for the sheep’s productivity improvement in Burkina Faso. The anthelmintic activity of S. hermonthica’s whole plant powder was evaluated on Mossi sheep artificially infested with H. contortus L3 larvae. The experiment lasted 21 days with 2 phases of 4 days of treatment separated by 6 days in station. Two (2) treated lots of 6 sheep each received respectively 17g/kg of body weight and 10g/kg of body weight while two (2) control lots of 6 sheep each, one negative without treatment and one positive treated with levamisole 1/2 bolus for 25 kg were constituted. The faecal egg count (FEC) reduction rate was high during treatment and reached 84.49% for the 17g/kg body weight dose and 83.69% for the 10g/kg body weight dose at D21. Statistical analysis shows no significant difference between the two doses tested and between the two doses and the positive control, whereas the difference is significant (P<0.05) with the negative control. The mean hematocrit level ranged from 24 at D0 to 30.5 at D21 for the 17g/kg body weight treatment and from 25.83 at D0 to 31 at D21 for the 10g/kg body weight dose. The average daily gain (ADG) of the treated lots was not significant compared to the negative control (P>0.05).

Reduction of faecal shedding of parasites in West African dwarf bucks fed yeast and Lactobacillus acidophilus

Ruminants serve as reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms and their faecal shedding forms the vehicle of entry into human food chain which in turn causes food borne diseases. Usually drugs and live vaccines are the main control measures; however, due to increasing concerns of resistance and residues in meat with prophylactic drug use and the high cost of vaccines, alternative control methods are needed. The aim of this study was to determine if administration of probiotics could influence the shedding of faecal pathogenic bacteria and parasites/helminthes from WAD goats. In a completely randomised design, thirty goats were allotted to six dietary treatments which were formulated using concentrate as: control (D1); antibiotic (D2); 2.5g bakers yeast (D3); 5.0g bakers yeast (D4); 2.5g yeast plus Lactobacilli (D5) and 5.0g yeast plus Lactobacilli (D6), where D5 and D6 were fortified with Lactobacillus acidophilus at 1.00x1012cfu/g each. Faecal samples (3g) were collected from bucks for faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT, %). Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics and ANOVA α0.05. The results showed that the FECRT (%) for the pathogenic bacteria revealed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in load at two weeks by 99.99 % in D6 while the least was seen in D2 with 98.98 %. The salmonella as at day 14 recorded significant percentage reduction which was high in D5 (90 %) and lowest in D6 (19.23 %). The parasitic shedding of coccidia at day 14 showed that the goats on D1 shed 400 egg per gram (epg) while those on D3 recorded 150 epg. The animals on D2, D4, D5 and D6 recorded no trace of coccidia eggs in their faeces while animals on D5 and D6 showed reductions of 5.60 and 50.00 % respectively in Ascaris. Tapeworm was identified only in faecal sample of D1. The result revealed that yeast combined with Lactobacillus acidophilus at 5g/day could serve as a potential alternative to anti-bacteria and anti-helminthes.

Efficacy of Fenbendazole and Ivermectin against Trichuris spp. in African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in Barbados West Indies.

Trichuris spp. are common helminths in NHP, and benzimidazoles and avermectins have both been used to treat these intestinal parasites. The current study compared the efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against natural infection of Trichuris spp. in African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus). Anthelmintic-naive animals (n = 65) were randomly assigned to 4 groups: an untreated control group, and 3 groups treated with either fenbendazole, ivermectin, or both compounds. Fecal samples were collected before treatment and on days 7, 14, 28, and 60 after treatment, and fecal egg counts (FEC) were determined by using fecal flotation. The mean percentages of FEC reduction at day 60 were 100%, 86%, and 100% for treatment with fenbendazole, ivermectin, and both compounds, respectively. Analyzing the time series of FEC by using a Bayesian generalized linear model showed no significant difference in the proportional reduction in FEC among the 3 treatment groups, although all FEC from treated groups were significantly lower than the FEC of the control group. In contrast, the probability of shedding was highest in the ivermectin group and the lowest in the animals treated with both compounds. The probability of shedding differed significantly between the fenbendazole and ivermectin groups and between the ivermectin and combined-treatment groups. In conclusion, both fenbendazole and ivermectin are effective anthelmintics in treating Trichuris spp. infection in African green monkeys. All treatment groups showed significant reductions in FEC when compared with baseline counts and control animals; however, fenbendazole may be more effective than ivermectin when used solely or in combination with other anthelmintic treatments.

Phenotypic and genotypic approaches for detection of anthelmintic resistant sheep gastrointestinal nematodes from Brazilian northeast.

The aim of this study was to characterize the anthelmintic resistance (AR) of a sheep gastrointestinal nematode population, named Caucaia, from northeastern Brazil. Phenotypic tests performed were: egg hatch (EHT), larval development (LDT) and fecal egg count reduction (FECRT). Benzimidazoles (BZs) genotypic evaluation was by frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) F200Y, F167Y and E198A, and for levamisole (LEV), by frequency of resistance alleles of Hco-acr-8 gene. The primers were designed specifically for Haemonchus contortus. Effective concentrations 50% (EC50) for BZs (EHT), and for macrocyclic lactones (MLs) and LEV (LDT) were 1.02 µg/mL, 1.81 ng/mL and 0.04 µg/mL, respectively. Resistance ratios for MLs and LEV were 0.91 and 3.07, respectively. FECRT efficacies of BZs, MLs, monepantel (MPTL) and LEV were 52.4; 87.0; 94.5 and 99.6%, respectively. qPCR for BZs demonstrated resistance allele frequencies of 0%, 26.24% and 69.08% for SNPs E198A, F200Y and F167Y, respectively. For LEV, 54.37% of resistance alleles were found. There was agreement between EHT, FECRT and qPCR for BZs, and agreement between LDT and qPCR for LEV. Thus, based on higher sensitivity of qPCR, and phenotypic evaluation, the Caucaia population was considered resistant to BZs, MLs, LEV and suspect for MPTL.

Anthelmintic Resistance to Commonly Used Drugs in Naturally Infected Sheep in and Around Bekoji, Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

A study aimed at assessing parasites control practices in use and to determine existence of gastro intestinal nematodes resistance for Albendazole, Tetraclozash and Ivermectin, in naturally infected sheep under field conditions in and around Bekoji Town. Sheep of both sexes were randomly selected from small holder farmers from different peasant associations were used for this study. Before administering of the drugs, screening was done to identify infected sheep with gastro-intestinal nematodes and eggs per grams (EPG) greater than 200 were eligible for inclusion in the field experiment following guidelines by Coles and his colleagues (1). Accordingly a total of 48 animals grouped into four treatment groups’ of Albendazole, Tetraclozash, Ivermectin and Control (i.e. left untreated). Albendazole, Tetramisole and Ivermectin were found 90.53%, 98.1% and 96.59 % respectively. The percentage reduction of fecal egg counts (FECs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for Albendazole, Tetraclozash and Ivermectin were 95.83 %( 95.1 - 84.4CI), 98.1 % (99 - 90.99CI) and 96.59 % (97.01 - 91.3CI) respectively. Based on this findings Albendazole is resistant to the parasites in the area and it was concluded that development of anthelmintic resistance could be prevented by avoid frequent and unnecessary treatments of this anthelmintic, optioning instead for strategic deworming

Combination of albendazole and hydro-ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa as a mitigation strategy to combat benzimidazole resistance in goats

The efficacy of a combination of albendazole and Curcuma longa hydro-ethanolic extract was tested against benzimidazole resistant caprine nematodes in vivo employing faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Forty non-descript goats, which were identified resistant to benzimidazoles by egg hatch assay were divided in four groups of ten each. Animals of group I were administered albendazole (@ 7.5mg/kg), those of group II were given hydro-ethanolic (50:50) extract of Curcuma longa (@500mg/kg), group III were administered with the combination of albendazole and Curcuma longa hydro-ethanolic extracts, while group IV animals were kept as untreated control. Faecal samples from each animal were collected on 0 day and 10th day and faecal egg counts (FEC) were assessed. The percentage reduction in FEC for group I, II, III and IV were 72%, 61%, 95% and 4%, respectively. FECRT indicated the efficacy of combination therapy by reducing 95% egg count in treated group of animals compared to controls, with a lower 95% confidence limit of 86%. The present experiment confirmed that the combination therapy can be used as one of the mitigating strategy to combat benzimidazole resistance. However, mass experimentation and further pharmacological investigation are required to validate the results.

The effect of pumpkin seed cake and ground cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation on gastrointestinal nematode egg shedding in sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed additives (pumpkin seed cake and cloves) on the egg excretion of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep. Thirty ewes naturally infected with GIN were randomly selected from a flock and assigned to the following groups of 10 animals each: clove group (received 1.8 g ground cloves/ewe/day, for 7 days), pumpkin seed cake group (200 g pumpkin seed cake/ewe/day, for 7 days) and control group. Before starting the study, on day 0, and 5 days after the 7-day supplementation, on day 12, the body condition and FAMACHA scores were assessed and individual faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed. The mean body condition and the FAMACHA scores did not change significantly between day 0 and 12 with the exception of a significantly deteriorated FAMACHA score in the clove group. The percentage reduction of FEC was 40.7% on day 12 in the clove group and 52.9% in the pumpkin seed cake group. In the control group, FEC increased by 8.7%. A coproculture of faecal samples from four of the most infected animals on day 0 revealed Trichostrongylus spp. larvae L3 in all four selected ewes, Ostertagia spp. and Cooperia spp. in three and Haemonchus contortus in one ewe. These results are promising and encourage further studies aimed to evaluate the possibility that these plant supplements could be a complementary method for parasite control, thus reducing the need for chemotherapy.

Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of Arundo donax, Areca catechu, and Ferula assa-foetida against Haemonchus contortus.

In the present study, anthelmintic activities of Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) catechu L., and Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. were determined. Leaves of A. donax L., latex of F. assa-foetida L. and seeds of Ar. catechu L. in different solvent fractions were subjected to in vitro (egg hatch assay; EHA, and adult motility assay; AMA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) tests of anthelmintic activity using Haemonchus contortus model. In the AMA, crude aqueous methanol extracts (CAME) and ethyl acetate fractions of F. assa-foetida at 10 hr post-treatment showed maximum mortality of H. contortus at 12.5-50 mg mL-1. In the EHA, CAME of F. assa-foetida was identified as a potent ovicide based on its low LC50 (16.9 µg mL-1), followed in order by Ar. catechu and A. donax. Results from the FECRT also showed the extract of F. assa-foetida L. to be more effective than those of Ar. catechu L. and A. donax L., against the gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed better anthelmintic activities against the adult worms in vitro, while CAME of these plants were better than their crude powders in vivo. It is recommended to document and investigate indigenous knowledge of possible medicinal plants to plan scientific trials that may justify their endorsement.

Clinical effectiveness of autohemotherapy as an adjuvant in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected sheep

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of autohemotherapy as an adjuvant in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Four experimental groups were formed: G1, 10 animals receiving autologous venous blood; G2, 10 animals receiving autologous venous blood and vermifuge containing levamisole; G3, 10 animals receiving only vermifuge containing levamisole; and G4, 10 animals as the control group receiving no treatment. We performed fecal egg count (eggs per gram, EPG) of strongyles, larval culture, hemogram, leukogram, and serum protein dosage prior to the start of treatment (D0), and on days 14 (D14) and 42 (D42). There was a significant decrease in the EPG of the groups receiving levamisole (G2 and G3) from D14 to the end of the experimental period. At the end of the evaluations, the mean EPG of G2 and G3 was significantly lower than that of G1 and G4. The most common nematode genus was Haemonchus (88%), and the least common was Trichostrongylus (1%). The Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) of G2 and G3 on D14 were 98.1% and 97.9%, respectively, however, in G1, the FECRT was zero on the two days when evaluation took place. G1 and G2 showed a significant increase in monocyte counts on D14 and D42. There was a significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin values in G2 and G3, however, a significant increase in the absolute value of red blood cells was observed only in G2. Two doses of autohemotherapy at 21-day intervals, administered alone or as an adjuvant to levamisole, is ineffective in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected sheep.

Oxidative stress in Strongylus spp. infected donkeys treated with piperazine citrate versus doramectin.

Background: Parasitic infection is one of the main problems in equidae, particularly donkeys. Aim:This study evaluated the oxidative stress in donkeys infected with Strongylus spp by determining the correlation between antioxidants levels; malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the severity of parasitic infection. It also compared the therapeutic efficacy of piperazine citrate as an oral anthelmintic drug and Doramectin as an injectable one. Methods:The study was conducted on 40 donkeys naturally infected with Strongylus spp. These donkeys were divided into two groups (20 donkeys each) according to treatment; One group was treated with piperazine citrate (PipTG) and the other with doramectin (DoraTG). Thorough clinical examination, hematological, biochemical, and parasitological assays were performed before (Day 0) and after treatment (Days 7, 14, 21, and 28). All data were statistically analyzed by independent-sample t-test or paired t-test. Results:In both groups, mean values of MDA were significantly reduced, while those of TAC were significantly elevated after treatment on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. These significant changes were reported after treatment between PipTG and DoraTG in favor of DoraTG. Serum concentrations of MDA were significantly reduced, while those of TAC were significantly elevated for DoraTG treatment group when their values were compared with those of PipTG either on days 7, 14, 21, or 28. Significant correlations were reported in PipTG and DoraTG. Negative significant correlations were reported between fecal egg count (FEC) and each of whole blood picture indices (RBCS, Hb, and PCV), serum TAC and faecal egg count reduction percentage FECR%. A positive correlation was seen between FEC and MDA. MDA exhibited a negative correlation with both blood picture and TAC; hence, TAC was positively correlated with these blood picture indices in both PipTG and DoraTG. In PipTG, anthelmintic resistance (R) was present on days 7 and 14, while it was suspected (S) at day 21 then it was absent (N) at day 28. In DoraTG, anthelmintic resistance was suspected (S) on day 7, then it became absent (N) on days 14, 21, and 28 post therapy. Conclusion:The immunological status of the infected donkeys had greatly improved after treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of injectable doramectin was more efficient than that of oral piperazine citrate in Strongylus spp. infected donkeys.

Resistance of Haemonchus contortus to monepantel in sheep: first report in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to provide the first report of resistance of Haemonchus contortus to monepantel in sheep in Espírito Santo. The study was conducted in a property with history of monepantel use since 2014 and register of low efficacy in studies conducted over the past few years with fecal egg count reduction test. Lambs born on the property (males and females aged approximately 100 days) were selected and after eggs per gram of feces (EPG) analysis on fecal samples, these were divided into two groups: a group treated with monepantel (2.5 mg / Kg) and a control group without anthelmintic treatment. Seven days later, the animals were euthanized to recover parasites from the gastrointestinal tract. The efficacy of the treatment was 61.35% against H. contortus, thus proving that anthelmintic resistance to monepantel was present.

Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil.

The effectiveness of four anthelmintic classes on cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in the semi-arid region of Paraiba State, Brazil, was evaluated. Twenty farms were used, testing 40 animals in each one, totaling 800 animals. Cattle were divided into four groups composed with ten animals: I, treated with albendazole sulfoxide 15%; II, treated with ivermectin 1%; III, treated with closantel 25%; IV, treated with levamisole hydrochloride 7.5%. All treatments were administered subcutaneously. For the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT), individual fecal samples were collected on days 0 and 14, and sent for analysis of egg count per gram of feces (EPG) and larval cultures. It was observed that multiresistance was present in 95% (19/20) of the farms. Resistance to ivermectin and albendazole was observed in 95% (19/20), to closantel in 75% (15/20) and to levamisole in 20% (4/20). The most used management system was semi-intensive (75%; 15/20) and the ivermectin was the most reported drug for controlling helminths (65%; 13/20). Haemonchus spp. was the most prevalent helminth genus. It was concluded that the anthelmintic resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes is high in the semi-arid of Paraíba State, Brazil, with multiresistance observed mainly to ivermectin, albendazole and closantel.

Does the in vitro egg hatch test predict the failure of benzimidazole treatment in Haemonchus contortus?

Considerable research has been directed towards optimising in vitro tests that can diagnose resistance in pre-parasitic stages of parasites. The objective of this study was to compare the in vivo faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), the in vitro egg hatch test (EHT), and the molecular determination of the frequency of a codon 200 allele of β-tubulin isotype 1 associated with benzimidazole resistance in larval stages of Haemonchus contortus obtained from infected goats. Animals were infected with composite infective doses representing 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80% resistant alleles. Faecal samples for the EHT were collected on 28, 33, and 35 days post-infection. The results of the in vivo FECRT indicated that albendazole treatment reduced infections consisting of composite doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80% larvae of the resistant isolate by 91.3, 78.0, 63.3, 48.4, 36.5, and 41.4%, respectively. The drug concentration at which 50% of the eggs were prevented from developing hatching larvae (ED50) in the in vitro EHT varied from 0.09 ± 0.01 to 15.63 ± 12.10 μg/mL thiabendazole. The results of the in vitro EHT indicated that the test could estimate in vivo resistance well. The EHT could thus accurately estimate the in vivo efficacy of the drug and percentage of the resistance allele in the population using hatching parameters in delineation doses. This finding was also supported by comparing the FECRT data to the hatching percentages in the EHT on 30 goat farms in Slovakia with natural mixed infections of gastrointestinal parasites.

Multispecific resistance of sheep trichostrongylids in Austria.

Anthelmintic overuse and failure to implement methods preventing the development and spread of anthelmintic resistance (AR) have led to an alarming increase of resistant ovine trichostrongylids worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the routine anthelmintic treatment strategy was effective, to obtain insights into the frequency of AR in trichostrongylids of sheep in Austria, and to determine the presence of different trichostrongylid genera. On 30 sheep farms, the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed with the Mini-FLOTAC technique in two consecutive studies. In study 1, only fenbendazole and moxidectin were tested, while different compounds and products were used in study 2. Overall, 33 treatment groups were formed: 11 groups were treated with benzimidazoles (fenbendazole and albendazole), 2 groups with avermectins (ivermectin, doramectin), 18 groups with moxidectin, and two groups with monepantel. Reduced efficacy was detected in 64%, 100%, 28% and 50% of these groups, respectively. The most frequently detected genus in larval cultures was Haemonchus, which had been barely detected in Austria previously, followed by Trichostrongylus. Multispecific resistance of trichostrongylids in Austria seems to be on the rise and H. contortus was detected unexpectedly frequently in comparison to previous studies. There is an urgent need to develop efficient communication strategies aimed at improving the engagement of farmers and veterinarians in sustainable parasite control.

Effect of level of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and anthelmintic treatment on milk yield in dairy sheep

The effects of gastrointestinal nematode infections and anthelmintic treatment on milk yields was compared between flocks with a low level (LL) of eggs per gram (epg) before partum and with a high level (HL). Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) were carried out before partum comparing a treated group with netobimin with an untreated group. Ewes belonging to LL flocks produced 55.4% more milk than ewes from HL flocks. A negative correlation was found between the mean epg before treatment and the mean milk yield per flock (r = −0.860; p < 0.01). However, treated ewes produced 10.1% more milk than untreated ewes in LL flocks, although in HL flocks, treated ewes produced less milk (−2.7%). The treatment of flocks even with low levels of infection can improve the milk yields. In this study, the epg before partum had a greater influence on total milk yield than the anthelmintic treatment.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Albendazole and Tetraclozan Against Gastrointestinal Worms in Crossbred Cows of HARC, Welmera District, Central Ethiopia

Gastrointestinal parasites are economically important in the dairy industry. A study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of anthelmintic drugs (Tetraclozan 3400 mg and Albendazole 2500mg) for the treatment of GIT worms in cross-bred cows at Holeta research center. A total of sixty crossbred cows were purposively screened and divided into three groups for the current study. The first groups served as untreated control, the second and third groups were treated with Albendazole and Tetraclozan drugs respectively. Moreover, fecal samples were collected before and after treatment to count the eggs per gram (EPG) of feces and to evaluate drug efficacy percentage. Efficacy for each anthelmintic was determined by the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). The mean EPG count before and after treatment with Tetraclozan drug on 0. 14^th and 21^st days was 520±102.1, 100±54.6 and 15±6.7 respectively whereas the mean EPG count on 0, 14^th and 21^st days before and after treatment with Albendazole drug was 450±127.2, 150±46.2 and 20±6.8 respectively. The overall percentage efficacy of Tetraclozan and Albendazole drugs were 97.11 and 95.5 percent respectively. The study indicated that the two anthelmintic drugs were efficacious against worm infection and thus, leads to reduction in EPG count. It is important to explore the detailed pharmacokinetic and toxic effects of these drugs for wide therapeutic uses in animals. It is also recommended that the clinical responses of GIT helminthes to prophylactic and therapeutic drugs need to be periodically monitored in the farms and further introduced to smallholder farmers.

Anthelmintic resistance of Haemonchus contortus from sheep flocks in Brazil: concordance of in vivo and in vitro (RESISTA-Test©) methods.

This study evaluated the resistance status of Haemonchus contortus from sheep flocks in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, through comparison between the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and the larval development test (LDT). For the FECRT, 35 sheep were selected in each of five flocks and divided into groups treated with: benzimidazole, levamisole, ivermectin, monepantel and control. Feces were collected for EPG and fecal cultures. The LDT was performed using thiabendazole (TBZ), levamisole (LEV), ivermectin aglycone (IVM-A) and Zolvix (ZLV). Resistance to all drugs was detected using FECRT in 100% of the flocks, except in relation to ZLV (40% resistant and 20% suspected of resistance). LDT indicated resistance to TBZ and IVM-A in all flocks, to LEV in 80% of flocks and to ZLV in 10%. Total agreement was obtained between the two tests for TBZ and IVM (k = 1.0), while for LEV (k = 0.8) and ZLV (k = 0.9), substantial and almost perfect agreement were obtained, respectively. The concordance between the tests was significant, thus showing that it is possible to use the outcome of the LDT to predict the FECRT, and hence validating the former as a fast diagnostic test for use by sheep farmers in Brazil.

Assessment of Anthelmintic Resistance of Fasciola spp. against Flunil-L ® and Fasinash®

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola spp. is recognized to be one of the major problems affecting health and productivity of cattle in Bhutan. Various anthelmintic drugs are used to treat and control fascioliasis in the country among which, triclabendazole and oxyclozanide are the most common ones. These drugs have been used for a very long time in the country and possibility of development of resistance to these drugs is high. Also, limited studies had been carried out to test their efficacies in the country. Therefore, this study was done to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle in Maedwang gewog under Thimphu Dzongkhag and assess the status of resistance of Fasciola spp. to Fasinash® and Flunil-L® drugs. A total of 218 faecal samples were collected from cattle and subjected to parasitological test using standard sedimentation technique. The animals positive to Fasciola were treated with Fasinash® (triclabendazole bolus) and Flunil-L® (oxyclozanide+levamisole suspension). The faecal eggs were analyzed 14 days after the treatment by Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test and the efficacy was calculated. The overall prevalence of fasciolosis in the study was 32.11% with a prevalence of 28.80% in Namseling and 36.56% in Khasadrapchu. The mean faecal egg count (epg) of Fasciola spp. detected in Namseling was 0.65 ± 1.53 SD and in Khasadrapchu was 1.03 ± 2.07 SD. There was no significant difference in the mean faecal egg counts in the two chiwogs (p &gt; .05 at 95% confidence level). The overall efficacy of Fasinash® was 86.96% and for Flunil-L ® was 91.38%. Significant difference was observed between pre-treatment and post-treatment in both the treatment groups (p &lt; .05 at 95% confidence level). However, the study implies development of resistance of Fasciola spp. to triclabendazole in the study area.

Widespread resistance to macrocyclic lactones in cattle nematodes in Ecuador.

The aim of the present study was to assess the resistance status of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) against ivermectin (IVM) and fenbendazole (FBZ) in Ecuador. The study involved five cattle farms located in different topographic zones of the country. Anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by calculating the percentage of fecal egg counts reduction (FECR) after treatment. Additionally, DNA from pooled larval cultures was screened to ascertain benzimidazole resistance alleles. For animals treated with IVM, FECR percentages ranged from 0 to 68%, indicating the presence of highly resistant worms. The opposite was found for animals treated with FBZ, where FECR percentages were above 90% on all the farms tested. Pooled coprocultures revealed that Cooperia spp. were the predominant species pre and post-treatment although minor proportions of Haemonchus spp. and Ostertagia spp. were also identified. No mutations conferring resistance to benzimidazoles were identified in the beta-tubulin isotype 1 gene of the isolated Cooperia spp. worms, which is in line with the results of the FECR performed with FBZ. Overall, the present study highlights widespread resistance of bovine GINs to IVM but no to FBZ in Ecuador.