Biological control of cyathostomin (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) with nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium in tropical southeastern Brazil.
Abstract: Horses are hosts to a wide variety of helminthes; the most important are the cyathostomin, or small strongyles. The viability of a fungal formulation (pellets) using the nematode-trapping fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium was assessed in biological control of horse cyathostomin. Two groups (fungus-treated and control) consisted of six mares in each group, crossbred (ages of 2.5 and 3.5 years), were placed in pastures of Cynodon sp. naturally infected with horse cyathostomin larvae. In the treated group, each animal received 1g/10 kg body weight (0.2g/10 kg live weight of fungus) of pellets of sodium alginate matrix containing the fungus M. thaumasium orally, twice a week for 6 months. In the control group, animals received (1g/10 kg body weight) of pellets without fungus. The egg count per gram of feces showed difference (p<0.01) in the animals treated with the fungus in relation to the control animals during all months of the experiment. The EPG percentage decrease were 87.5%, 89.7%, 68.3%, 58.7%, 52.5% and 35.2% during June, July, August, September, October and November, respectively. In faecal cultures, there was difference (p<0.05) among animals treated with fungus was found in relation to the control animals during all the experiment month, with percentage reduction of 67.5%, 61.4% and 31.8% in September, October and November, respectively. Difference (p<0.01) was observed in the recovery of infective larvae from pastures that were collected up to 20 cm from the dung pats in pastures in the group treated with the fungus in relation to the control group with a reduction of 60.9% and between 0-20 and 0-40 cm from the faecal pat reduction (p0.05) between the average weight gains in both animal groups. The treatment of horses with pellets containing the nematophagous fungus M. thaumasium can be effective in controlling cyathostomin in the tropical region of southeastern Brazil.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-10-08 PubMed ID: 21035270DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.09.035Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study evaluates the effectiveness of a fungal formulation in controlling horse cyathostomin, a type of parasitic worm, in the tropical region of southeastern Brazil. The fungal treatment significantly reduced the count of worm eggs and larvae in treated horses compared to the control group, suggesting that it could be a viable tool in curbing parasitic infections in horse populations.
Introduction
- The study involves horses which are hosts to a wide range of helminthes, with cyathostomin being the most significant among them.
- This research investigates the effectiveness of a fungal formulation with the nematode-trapping fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium in controlling horse cyathostomin.
Methodology and Results
- The experimental setup involved two groups of six mares each. The groups were divided into a control group, which received pellets without fungus, and a treated group, which received pellets containing the fungus.
- The treated group was given an oral dose of the fungal formulation twice a week for six months.
- Results showed significant differences (with p<0.01) in monthly egg counts between the two groups. The treated group saw a reduction of egg presence between 35.2% and 89.7% over the course of six months.
- Similarly, there was a monthly difference (p<0.05) between the groups when it came to faecal cultures, with the treated group experiencing a reduction of larvae between 31.8% and 67.5% during three separate months.
Impact on Pasture and Weight
- Researchers also observed a significant reduction of larvae in pastures up to 20 cm from the dung pats in the treated group, compared to control.
- However, there were no notable differences between the average weight gains in both groups, suggesting the treatment did not adversely affect the horses’ growth or health.
Conclusion
- Overall, the study concludes that treating horses with pellets containing the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium can be effective in controlling cyathostomin, thereby curbing parasitic infections among horse populations in the tropical region of southeastern Brazil.
Cite This Article
APA
Tavela Ade O, Araújo JV, Braga FR, Silva AR, Carvalho RO, Araujo JM, Ferreira SR, Carvalho GR.
(2010).
Biological control of cyathostomin (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) with nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium in tropical southeastern Brazil.
Vet Parasitol, 175(1-2), 92-96.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.09.035 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, CEP: 3657000, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Feces / parasitology
- Fungi / physiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Larva / microbiology
- Nematoda / microbiology
- Parasite Egg Count
- Pest Control, Biological
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Vilela VL, Feitosa TF, Braga FR, de Araújo JV, de Lucena SC, Dantas ES, Athayde AC, Silva WW. Efficacy of Monacrosporium thaumasium in the control of goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in a semi-arid region of Brazil. Parasitol Res 2013 Feb;112(2):871-7.
- Ferreira SR, de Araújo JV, Braga FR, Araujo JM, Frassy LN, Ferreira AS. Biological control of Ascaris suum eggs by Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus. Vet Res Commun 2011 Dec;35(8):553-8.
- Dias AS, Araújo JV, Braga FR, Araujo JM, Puppin AC, Fernandes FM, Ramos RF, Bertonceli RM, da Silva RG, Perboni WR. Biological control of Fasciola hepatica eggs with the Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus after passing through the cattle gastrointestinal tract. Parasitol Res 2012 Feb;110(2):663-7.
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