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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2020; 268; 105602; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105602

Biological methods for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a cause of significant losses in animal production worldwide. In recent years, there have been important advances in the biological control of GIN of ruminants and horses. While these measures are still relatively under-utilised in practice, interest will undoubtedly grow due to the emergence of drug resistant parasite populations, the rise in demand for organically farmed products (which does not allow prophylactic use of drugs, including anthelmintics) and legislation, which regulates and restricts the use of anthelmintics. This review provides an overview of the most promising biocontrol agents of GIN of grazing animals including nematophagous fungi, dung beetles, earthworms, predacious nematodes and nematophagous mites. Recent advancements in these fields are evaluated, and the potential reasons for the delayed development and slow uptake of biocontrol agents are discussed. It is now widely believed that no method of GIN control is sustainable alone, and a combination of strategies (i.e. integrated pest management) is required for long term, effective parasite control. This review shows that, although their efficacies are lower than those of conventional anthelmintics, biological control agents are an important adjunct to traditional GIN control.
Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-22 PubMed ID: 33468301DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105602Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article provides an overview of the recent advances in biological methods for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), which are parasites affecting the digestive system in animals. The research focuses on biocontrol agents such as nematophagous fungi, dung beetles, earthworms, predacious nematodes and nematophagous mites, and discusses their efficacy and acceptance in comparison to traditional anthelmintic drugs.

Biological Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes

  • This research explores a variety of organisms that can be used as biological control (biocontrol) agents for managing gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) that affect animals. These biocontrol agents include dung beetles, earthworms, predacious nematodes, nematophagous fungi, and nematophagous mites.
  • GIN are parasites that infect the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants and horses causing significant losses in the animal production industry. Over the past years, there has been an increasing shift towards biological means of control as opposed to traditional drugs due to growing issues like drug resistance and regulations on drug usage.

Efficiency of Biocontrol Agents

  • Although the efficacy of these biocontrol agents is lower compared to conventional anthelmintic drugs, their importance to GIN control cannot be understated. However, the research notes an apparent delay in the development and usage of these biocontrol agents.
  • The research argues for the adoption of integrated pest management which involves a combination of strategies rather than reliance on a single method of GIN control. This approach promotes sustainable and effective parasite control in the long run.

The Future of Biocontrol Agents

  • With the rise in demand for organically farmed products which do not permit the prophylactic use of drugs, including anthelmintics, the interest in biological methods for controlling GIN is expected to grow.
  • Desk legislation that regulates and restricts the use of anthelmintics also point to a future where the usage of biological control agents could become more prevalent.
  • The research provides a timely review and evaluation of the advancements in the field of biocontrol agents for GIN and underscores the need for more investment and exploration in this area.

Cite This Article

APA
Szewc M, De Waal T, Zintl A. (2020). Biological methods for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes. Vet J, 268, 105602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105602

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 268
Pages: 105602
PII: S1090-0233(20)30179-9

Researcher Affiliations

Szewc, Marcelina
  • UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
De Waal, Theo
  • UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Zintl, Annetta
  • UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: annetta.zintl@ucd.ie.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Control Agents / pharmacology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / parasitology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / prevention & control
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Goat Diseases / parasitology
  • Goat Diseases / prevention & control
  • Goats
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Nematode Infections / parasitology
  • Nematode Infections / prevention & control
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary
  • Pest Control, Biological / methods
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / parasitology
  • Sheep Diseases / prevention & control
  • Sheep, Domestic

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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