Control of bovine gastrointestinal nematode parasites using pellets of the nematode-trapping fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium

Abstract

The viability of a formulation of the fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium associated with ivermectin was evaluated for the biological control of bovine gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Four groups of five calves each were placed in pastures with a stocking rate of 1.6 animal/hectare. In group 1 (control), the calves did not receive any treatment. In group 2, each animal received 20g of pellets of M. thaumasium orally twice a week during a six-month period that began with the onset of the rainy season (October 23, 2000). In group 3, each animal received 20g of pellets of M. thaumasium orally twice a week during the same period as 2, as well as two strategic treatments with ivermectin (200 mcg/kg) on May 10, 2001 and July 5, 2001. In group 4, the animals were treated with ivermectin alone as described for group 3. EPG counts for group 1 were significantly greater (P< 0.01) than those for groups 2 and 3 and the difference at the end of the study period was near 100%. The EPGs of group 4 animals remained high until the first strategic treatment with ivermectin. Values for groups 1 and 4 differed significantly (P< 0.05) from those of groups 2 and 3 from December 2000 onwards. It was concluded that the use of this dose and periodicity of application of M. thaumasium pellets makes the application of anthelminthic treatments unnecessary.

In vitro nematophagous activity of predatory fungi on infective larvae of Strongyloides papillosus

“…Field investigations have proven the effectiveness of nematophagous fungi on nematodes of grazing animals. Alves et al (2003) and Araújo et al (2004b) observed the efficacy of a fungal isolate of M. thaumasium, with a reduction in the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) in treated animals ranging from 88% to 100%. Graminha et al (2005) evaluated the oral administration of the fungus Arthrobotrys musiformis (conidia microencapsulated in alginate or in natural liquid medium) for sheep.…”

Control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes using the combination of Duddingtonia flagrans and Levamisole Hydrochloride 5%

“…In the control group, seven rescue deworming treatments were needed. According to Araújo et al (1998), clinical parasitism does not occur when nematophagous fungi are administered, because of the diminished numbers of larvae in the pasture, which reduces the reinfection rate among the animals and leaves them capable of developing natural immunity against nematodes.…”

Uso de hongos hematófagos en el control biológico de nematodos gastrointestinales en ovinos

“…De Araújo et al, (2004) incorporaron D. flagrans y M. thaumasium respectivamente en pellets de alginato para ser administrados a ovinos con el fin de controlar larvas de Haemonchus contortus. Los ovinos utilizados recibieron una dosis oral de 1 g de pellets por 5 kilogramos de peso vivo una vez a la semana durante seis (6) meses, demostrando reducciones significativas en el número de huevos de nematodos en materia fecal y de larvas en los coprocultivos.…”