Use of Complementary Natural Feed for Gastrointestinal Nematodes Control in Sheep: Effectiveness and Benefits for Animals

The treatments of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infection in sheep is almost exclusively based on the use of synthetic drugs. In some European regions the intensive use of antiparasitic drugs is leading to widespread development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). Currently in southern Italy AR is rare, but a constant monitoring of anthelmintic efficacy and the use of effective alternative therapies is strongly recommended. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a complementary natural feed (natural vegetable mixture), based on natural extracts, registered for GIN treatment in sheep, and its comparison with the drug ivermectin. The study was conducted in two sheep breeding farms in southern Italy and 75 sheep were divided in groups of 15 animals each (treated and untreated groups), homogeneous by GIN eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces, using the natural anthelmintic administered at full dose (10 g/sheep/orally) in the first breeding and at double dose (20 g/sheep/orally) in the second. In the latter we compared the effectiveness of mixture with ivermectin administered at full dose (200 μg/kg/BW). To determine the effectiveness, individual faecal samples were collected to evaluate the faecal eggs count (FEC) using FLOTAC technique and FEC reduction (FECR) on different days. The formula used FECR = 100 × (1 − (T2/C2)), based on the comparison of post-treatment EPG mean of the treated and untreated group (T2 and C2, respectively), is the one recommended by World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guidelines to monitor drug efficacy against GIN in livestock. The results reported that complementary natural feed, at two different dosages, was ineffective against GIN, while the drug, at conventional dosage, showed good anthelmintic efficacy, also confirming the importance of in vivo effectiveness studies.

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Assessment of anthelmintic efficacy against cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in western France and southern Italy

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x20000085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Chartier ◽

N. Ravinet ◽

A. Bosco ◽

E. Dufourd ◽

M. Gadanho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Lower Limit ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Arithmetic Means ◽

Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽

Faecal Egg Count ◽

Cattle Farms

Abstract Our objective was to measure the efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) and benzimidazoles (BZ, i.e. fenbendazole and albendazole) in 15 cattle farms in western France and southern Italy. A total of 11 groups were treated with IVM and 11 with BZ. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the percentage of faecal egg count reduction (%FECR) using the pre- and post-treatment arithmetic means. Anthelmintic resistance was considered to be present when the %FECR was <95% and the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval <90%. For IVM, the percentages of FECR ranged from 73% to 100%. Lack of efficacy to IVM was detected in two farms out of four in France, but was not detected in any of the seven farms in Italy. For BZ, the percentages of FECR ranged from 95% to 100%. No case of BZ resistance was detected in the five farms in France and the six farms in Italy.

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Worm-control practices and prevalence of anthelmintic resistance using in vivo FECRTs on smallholder sheep farms in Lithuania

Helminthologia ◽

10.1515/helmin-2015-0064 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 24-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

T. Kupčinskas ◽

I. Stadalienė ◽

A. Šalomskas ◽

P. Trusevičius ◽

M. Varady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Future Studies ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Two Samples ◽

Faecal Egg Count ◽

Worm Control

SummaryThis study determined the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasitic nematodes on smallholder sheep farms in Lithuania from April to November 2014. Faecal samples were collected from two groups of 10-15 sheep treated with fenbendazole (FBZ) or ivermectin (IVM) on 18 sheep farms. Two samples were collected from each group: on day zero (T1) and 10-14 days after treatment. Faecal egg counts (eggs per gramme, EPG) were determined using a modified McMaster technique. Animals with < 140 EPG on day zero were removed from the analysis. The prevalence of AR was estimated using the in vivo faecal egg count reduction test. AR to FBZ was detected on three of 15 farms where FBZ was used (20 %) and was suspected on one farm (6.7 %). AR to IVM was detected on two of 16 farms where IVM was used (12.5 %). The main species of resistant gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) identified after treatment were Teladorsagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. A questionnaire surveying 71 sheep farmers estimated that 71.8 % of sheep farmers used anthelmintics against GINs. IVM was the most frequently (68.6 %) applied anthelmintic, and 62.7 % of the respondents reported treating their animals twice a year. This study confirmed the presence of AR to GIN infections on sheep farms in Lithuania. Future studies should assess the prevalence of AR to GIN infection using in vitro methods.

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Epidemiology and Multidrug Resistance of Strongyle Nematodes in Ordos Merino Sheep

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39021/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ledege Eye ◽

Jiya Wuen ◽

Xiuling He ◽

Buhe Buyin ◽

Ying Hai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Merino Sheep ◽

Predominant Species ◽

Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽

Nematode Eggs ◽

Repeated Use

Abstract Background: Regular whole-flock treatments and long-term repeated use of similar anthelmintics has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance and widespread epidemic of sheep nematodiasis. The current work was carried out to understand the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in Ordos merino sheep and to evaluate the efficacy of currently used anthelmintics. Results: A total of 4014 fresh fecal samples were collected from sheep from March 2017 to April 2019 and fecal nematode eggs were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for understanding the prevalence of sheep nematodiasis. The anthelmintic efficacy of currently used drugs was evaluated in naturally infected sheep. The gastrointestinal nematode infection was serious in Ordos merino sheep. The infection rates of nematodes in three consecutive years were 84.3%, 36.9%, and 42.3%, respectively. The Hemonchus contortus and Nematodirus sp. were the dominantly infected species with the infection rates of 84.3% and 65.6% in 2017. Moreover, these species were acquired highly resistance to the Ivermectin, Doramectin, Albendazole and Levamisole. The percentages of FERC were 6.9%, 1.7%, 3.5% and 79.0%, respectively, following single administration. However, Nitroxynil and Closantel showed a strong anthelmintic efficacy on popular dominant species Haemonchus contortus and some other nematodes, while almost no effect on Nematodirus sp. Conclusions: The prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in Ordos merino sheep and their resistance to commonly used anthelmintics were comprehensively understood, and the high efficacy drugs on predominant species were screened out. The results will pay a good foundation for developing of reasonable drug use.

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Efficacy of “Worm-X” Herbal Formulation against Naturally Infected Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goats of Banaskantha District, Gujarat

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-4116 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

H.R. Parsani ◽

B.S. Chandel ◽

K.P. Shyma

Keyword(s):

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Drug Efficacy ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Chemical Treatments ◽

Maximum Reduction ◽

Herbal Formulation ◽

Major Constraint ◽

The Cost ◽

Alternative Solutions

Background: Gastrointestinal nematodosis is a major constraint in economic livestock production. Mostly synthetic anthelmintics are being used to overcome this problem. Besides synthetic anthelmintics, some plants have shown variable anthelmintic properties. Methods: Sixty goats infected with GI nematodes having 1500 EPG were selected and animals were divided into four groups T1 to T4 of 15 animals in each group. Group T1 was given two doses of fenbendazole @ 10 mg/kg BW per os at 15 days interval. In group T2, T3 and T4 herbal formulation “Worm-X” was given @ 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg BW orally respectively, at 15 days interval. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of percentage reduction in EPG count and the FECRT was conducted as per guidelines of WAAVP. Result: When FECR was compared 15 days post treatment, maximum reduction (77.25%) was observed in group T1 followed by group T2 (47.27%), T3 (70.19%), and T4 (72.01%). The reduction in FEC in groupT3 (70.19%) and T4 (72.01%) at 15 days post treatment and at 30 days post treatment were 87.75 and 89.32%, respectively were almost equal. Considering the cost effectiveness and WAAVP recommendations, it will be optimum to administer the drug at the rate of 1.0 ml/kg body weight in two dosages at 15-day interval. However, it is well known that now a day’s modern anthelmintic drug efficacy has been reduced in many cases due to the development of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, complementary or alternative solutions to the conventional chemical treatments have been implied offering novel approaches to the sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats.

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Anthelmintic action of plant cysteine proteinases against the rodent stomach nematode,Protospirura muricola,in vitroandin vivo

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182006001302 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

pp. 103-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

G. STEPEK ◽

A. E. LOWE ◽

D. J. BUTTLE ◽

I. R. DUCE ◽

J. M. BEHNKE

Keyword(s):

Detrimental Effect ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Cysteine Proteinases ◽

Trichuris Muris ◽

Kiwi Fruit ◽

Heligmosomoides Polygyrus ◽

Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽

Papaya Latex

Cysteine proteinases from the fruit and latex of plants, including papaya, pineapple and fig, were previously shown to have a rapid detrimental effect,in vitro, against the rodent gastrointestinal nematodes,Heligmosomoides polygyrus(which is found in the anterior small intestine) andTrichuris muris(which resides in the caecum). Proteinases in the crude latex of papaya also showed anthelmintic efficacy against both nematodesin vivo. In this paper, we describe thein vitroandin vivoeffects of these plant extracts against the rodent nematode,Protospirura muricola, which is found in the stomach. As in earlier work, all the plant cysteine proteinases examined, with the exception of actinidain from the juice of kiwi fruit, caused rapid loss of motility and digestion of the cuticle, leading to death of the nematodein vitro. In vivo, in contrast to the efficacy againstH. polygyrusandT. muris, papaya latex only showed efficacy againstP. muricolaadult female worms when the stomach acidity had been neutralized prior to administration of papaya latex. Therefore, collectively, our studies have demonstrated that, with the appropriate formulation, plant cysteine proteinases have efficacy against nematodes residing throughout the rodent gastrointestinal tract.

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Anthelmintic efficacy ofAchillea millifoliumagainst gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep:in vitroandin vivostudies

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x08972515 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 82 (3) ◽

pp. 227-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

K.A. Tariq ◽

M.Z. Chishti ◽

F. Ahmad ◽

A.S. Shawl

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Anthelmintic Activity ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Aqueous Extracts ◽

Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽

Ethanolic Extracts ◽

Motility Inhibition

AbstractAchillea millifoliumLinn., commonly called ‘Pehl-ghasa’, is used by farmers in traditional animal health care as a vermifuge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of crude aqueous extracts and crude ethanolic extracts of entireA. millifoliumagainst the gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The worm motility inhibition assay was used forin vitrostudies and faecal egg count reduction assay was used forin vivostudies.In vitrostudies revealed significant anthelmintic effects of aqueous extracts and ethanolic extracts on liveHaemonchus contortusworms (P < 0.05) as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8 h post exposure. Aqueous extracts ofA. millifoliumresulted in a mean worm motility inhibition of 94.44%, while ethanolic extracts resulted in mean worm motility inhibition of 88.88%. The mean mortality index of aqueous extracts was 0.95 while for ethanolic extracts it was 0.9. The lethal concentration 50 was 0.05 mg ml− 1for aqueous extracts and 0.11 mg ml− 1for ethanolic extracts. Thein vivoanthelmintic activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts ofA. millifoliumdemonstrated a maximum (88.40%) nematode egg count reduction in sheep treated with aqueous extracts at 2 g kg− 1body weight on day 15 after treatment. Ethanolic extracts resulted in a maximum of 76.53% reduction in faecal egg counts on day 15 after treatment with 2 g kg− 1body weight. Thus, the aqueous extracts exhibited greater anthelmintic activity under bothin vitroandin vivoconditions, and could be due to the presence of water-soluble active principle/s inA. millifolium. It is concluded that the entire plant ofA. millifoliumpossesses significant anthelmintic activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.

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The threat of reduced efficacy of anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep from an area considered anthelmintic resistance-free

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04329-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonio Bosco ◽

Jan Kießler ◽

Alessandra Amadesi ◽

Marian Varady ◽

Barbara Hinney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Italy ◽

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Minor Role ◽

Macrocyclic Lactones ◽

On Farm ◽

Pooled Samples

Abstract Background The worldwide increased difficulty to combat gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection in sheep, due to progressing anthelmintic resistance (AR), calls for an enhanced and standardized implementation of early detection of AR. This study provides a snapshot of the current AR status against benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones in southern Italy, generated with standardized techniques. Methods On 10 sheep farms, the efficacy of albendazole (ALB) and either eprinomectin (EPR) or ivermectin (IVM) was evaluated based on the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) performed with the Mini-FLOTAC. For each tested drug, 40 sheep were rectally sampled at D0 and sampled again 14 days after the treatment (D14). The FECRT was calculated from individual samples and pooled samples which consist of 5 individual samples. Efficacy was classified as ‘reduced, ‘suspected’ and ‘normal’. Coprocultures were set for D0 and D14 faecal samples of each group. From farms with FECR < 95%, an in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) and a follow-up FECRT using fenbendazole (FBZ) were conducted. Results Based on the FECR, high efficacy (from 95.7% to 100%) was observed for ALB and IVM in eight farms (Farms 3–10). On Farm 1 and Farm 2, the efficacy for the macrocyclic lactones was classified as ‘normal’, but ‘reduced’ efficacy was observed for ALB on Farm 1 (FECR = 75%) and ‘suspected’ efficacy on Farm 2 (FECR = 93.3%) with the predominant GIN genus Trichostrongylus followed by Haemonchus at D14. The FEC results of pooled samples strongly correlated with those of individual samples, for FEC at D0 (rs = 0.984; P < 0.0001) and at D14 (rs = 0.913; P < 0.0001). The classifications of efficacy in Farm 1 (FECR = 86.0%) and Farm 2 (FECR = 93.0%) in the follow-up FECRT with FBZ coincide with the main FECRT trial. The in vitro EHT confirmed AR in both farms (Farm 1: 89%; Farm 2: 74%). Conclusions In regions like southern Italy, where the negative impacts from AR have played a minor role, efficient monitoring of AR is important in order to evaluate potential risks and being able to promptly respond with countermeasures.

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Overview of anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants in Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612016008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 3-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jordana Andrioli Salgado ◽

Clóvis de Paula Santos

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Field Studies ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Inappropriate Use ◽

Economic Significance ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Field Management ◽

Antiparasitic Drugs

Abstract Frequent and inappropriate use of all classes of antiparasitic drugs in small ruminants has led to failures in their effectiveness, culminating in a global problem of anthelmintic resistance. Brazil stands out as one of the world’s leaders in publications about anthelmintic resistance, and for having the most numerous reports of this resistance in small ruminants in the Americas. These studies have involved mainly the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and its correlation with field management practices. In vivoeffectiveness testing is conducted in areas where livestock is of greater economic significance, e.g., in the South (sheep) and Northeast (goats), or is important for research and economic centers, such as the Southeast (sheep). The most widely studied species is sheep, for which the widest range of drugs is also evaluated. Despite significant advances achieved in molecular research, laboratory analyses should include knowledge about the reality in the field so that they can become feasible for the producer. Moreover, molecular studies can be underpinned by the analysis of field studies, such as the maintenance of antiparasitic effectiveness over time and the mechanisms involved in this process.

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Oxfendazole Resistance in Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Beetal Goats at Livestock Farms of Punjab (Pakistan)

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb200776010079 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 79-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M. Saeed ◽

Z. Iqbal ◽

A. Jabbar

Keyword(s):

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Egg Hatch ◽

Treatment Frequency ◽

Contributory Factors ◽

Reduction Test ◽

Egg Hatch Assay

This study was carried out to screen goat farms for anthelmintic resistance (AR) against oxfendazole (OXF) and to determine contributory factors for its development. For this purpose, Beetal goat farms (n = 18) were randomly selected, with natural mixed gastrointestinal nematodosis infection. In vivo (faecal egg count reduction test) and in vitro (egg hatch assay) tests were used to ascertain the presence of AR while a scorecard was used to determine the role of possible contributory factors for oxfendazole resistance. For in vivo test, the experimental animals were divided into two groups of 10 animals each; one group received OXF treatment, while the other served as control. Pre- and post-treatment coproculture was performed to identify the species and genera of nematodes. Egg hatch assay (EHA) was used to confirm the results of FECRT. Fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) revealed the development of resistance on six farms and post-treatment larval cultures indicated Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia curticei, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Oesophagostomum spp. as dominant species with resistance. Furthermore, EHA confirmed the results of FECRT. Among the presumptive factors for AR, the highest composite score was for rotation of anthelmintics followed by treatment frequency, dose rate and nature of medication. The scorecard for the development of AR, used in this study, may be helpful for the assessment of contributory factors of AR.

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Assessment of the efficacy of commercial anthelmintics in horses naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

Medicina Veterinária (UFRPE) ◽

10.26605/medvet-v15n1-2354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 28-32

Author(s):

Natália Soares Martins ◽

Diego Moscarelli Pinto ◽

Laís Leal da Cunha ◽

Júlia Somavilla Lignon ◽

Thais Cozza dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Lower Limit ◽

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Southern Region ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽

South Of Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of commercial anthelmintics in horses naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes from the southern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and coproculture. Fecal samples were collected from 110 animals in seven farms located in the southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the south of Brazil. Criteria used to suspect anthelmintic resistance included percentages of efficacy lower than 95% and a lower limit of the confidence interval below 90%. Anthelmintic resistance was detected in five of the seven farms studied. Coproculture results show that, even after horses were treated with anthelmintics, infection by nematodes of the subfamily Cyathostominae was still present in animals from five farms.

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