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Parasitology research2022; 122(2); 357-368; doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07740-z

A review of the use of Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological controller of strongylid nematodes in horses.

Abstract: In horses, the nematodes of the Strongylidae family are the most important due to their prevalence and pathogenicity. Sanitary plans include parasite control based on chemical anthelmintics. Among these, the benzimidazole compounds have been used since the 1960s to control the nematode Strongylus vulgaris. Its inappropriate use resulted in the development of resistance in parasites with a shorter biological cycle, such as the small strongyles. Currently, the genera that make up this group show widespread resistance to all chemical treatments available in veterinary medicine, except for macrocyclic lactones, where less effective action has been detected. The need to find alternative routes for its control is recognized. International organizations and markets are increasingly restrictive in the allowed levels of drugs in products of animal origin, so one of the drawbacks is the permanence of chemical compounds in tissues. Therefore, other tools not chemically based are proposed, such as the biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes. Various research groups around the world have carried out tests on the control capacity of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans against this group of parasites. The objective of this review is to compile the different tests that are available on biological control in this species, in in vivo and in vitro tests, and the possible incorporation of this tool as an alternative method of antiparasitic control in an integrated control scheme of parasites.
Publication Date: 2022-11-25 PubMed ID: 36434316DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07740-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

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The research article abstract discusses a review of studies that have utilized the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological method to control and manage strongylid nematodes, a prevalent and pathogenic parasitic worm, in horses.

Background and Problem Statement

  • Strongylid nematodes, a type of parasitic worm, pose a critical threat to horses due to their high prevalence and harmful impact on the health of these animals.
  • The current treatment regimen relies heavily on chemical anthelmintics, specifically the benzimidazole compounds, which have been in use since the 1960s.
  • A significant problem emerged from the inappropriate use of these compounds, which has led to the development of resistance against these drugs in parasites, especially those with shorter biological cycles such as small strongyles.
  • Most worrisome, common chemical treatments available in veterinary medicine have widespread resistance amongst these parasitic genera, leaving only the macrocyclic lactones as somewhat effective treatments.
  • Moreover, international standards and markets are growing less tolerant of drug residues in animal products. As a result, the use of these chemical drugs adds an extra complication – the persistence of these chemical compounds in animal tissues.

Proposal for a Solution and Objective of the Review

  • Given the emerging challenges and limitations of the existing treatments, a need to find alternative non-chemical methods to control these parasites is acknowledged.
  • The review explores the potential of biological control methods, utilizing the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans, which several research groups have tested for its efficacy against strongylid nematodes.
  • The primary objective of the review is to aggregate the results from different controlled trials that have occurred both in in vivo (within a living organism) and in vitro (outside a living organism) conditions.
  • The ultimate goal of this research investigation centres on the potential integration of this biological tool as a viable non-chemical, alternative solution to antiparasitic control within the broader parasite management framework.

Cite This Article

APA
Junco M, Iglesias LE, Sagüés F, Zegbi S, Guerrero I, Saumell CA. (2022). A review of the use of Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological controller of strongylid nematodes in horses. Parasitol Res, 122(2), 357-368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07740-z

Publication

ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 122
Issue: 2
Pages: 357-368

Researcher Affiliations

Junco, Milagros
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina. mjunco@vet.unicen.edu.ar.
  • Environment and Health Applied Sciences Doctoral , Program (DCAAS) at UNICEN, Tandil, Argentina. mjunco@vet.unicen.edu.ar.
  • Scientific Research Commission (CIC), Buenos Aires, Argentina. mjunco@vet.unicen.edu.ar.
Iglesias, Lucia Emilia
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sagüés, Federica
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Zegbi, Sara
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Guerrero, Ines
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Saumell, Carlos Alfredo
  • Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), Parasitología Y Enfermedades Parasitarias, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Nematoda
  • Ascomycota
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Duddingtonia
  • Pest Control, Biological / methods

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Fonseca JDS, Barbosa BB, Silva AP, Vázquez MSA, Cazapal Monteiro CF, Santos HA, de Araújo JV. Using Biocontrol Fungi to Control Helminthosis in Wild Animals: An Innovative Proposal for the Health and Conservation of Species. Pathogens 2025 Aug 5;14(8).
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