Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria.
Abstract: Three groups of horses and ponies (N = 13, 13 and 12) were treated with ivermectin paste (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), avermectin B1 solution (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), or fenbendazole suspension (10 mg/kg via nasogastric tube). The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution in a propylene glycolglycerol formal base. Faecal strongyle egg counts were performed before, and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d, after treatment. Full-thickness skin biopsies from the neck, pectoral and umbilical regions were examined for Onchocera microfilaria before treatment, and again 14 and 70 d later. Ivermectin therapy produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 d after treatment. Avermectin B1 therapy resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 d after treatment. All horses given ivermectin or avermectin B1 had zero strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 d after treatment. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease strongyle egg counts. Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 d after treatment. On day 70 the percentage decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease microfilaria counts. The oral administration of this formulation of avermectin B1 appeared to be highly efficacious against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria. The duration of anti-strongyle activity was, however, significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that of ivermectin paste.
Publication Date: 1990-11-01 PubMed ID: 2085293DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1990.tb03026.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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This research paper investigates the effect of the drug avermectin B1, when administered orally, on the presence of intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria in horses and ponies. The study finds that avermectin B1 is highly effective at reducing these parasites, although its effectiveness is less prolonged compared to a comparable drug, ivermectin.
Research Methodology
- The study included three groups of horses and ponies of varying sizes, with 13 in two groups and 12 in another group. These animals were treated with 0.2mg/kg of ivermectin paste orally, 0.2mg/kg of avermectin B1 solution orally, or 10 mg/kg of a fenbendazole suspension via a nasogastric tube.
- The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution based in propylene glycolglycerol formal.
- The level of strongyle (a type of intestinal worm) eggs in the faeces of the horses were counted before treatment, and then subsequently at 14-day intervals up to 70 days after treatment.
- In addition, full-thickness skin biopsies were taken from the neck, chest and belly button areas of the horses to check for Onchocera microfilaria (a type of parasite) before treatment and again 14 and 70 days later.
Research Findings
- The study finds that treatment with ivermectin resulted in a significant decrease in the mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 days after treatment.
- Avermectin B1 therapy also resulted in significant decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 days after treatment, indicating that it too is effective at reducing this parasite.
- All horses given avermectin B1 or ivermectin had no strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 days after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of these drugs.
- On the other hand, treatment with the fenbendazole suspension did not significantly decrease strongyle egg counts.
- Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 days after treatment, indicating their effectiveness against this parasite as well. On day 70, the decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively.
- The fenbendazole suspension did not significantly decrease microfilaria counts.
Research Conclusion
- This study concludes that the oral administration of the avermectin B1 formulation appears to be highly effective against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria.
- However, the duration of the anti-strongyle activity of avermectin B1 is significantly shorter than that of ivermectin paste.
Cite This Article
APA
Mogg TD, Pollitt CC, Willmore JP, Thompson H.
(1990).
Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria.
Aust Vet J, 67(11), 399-401.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1990.tb03026.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Queensland.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Antiparasitic Agents
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / drug therapy
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
- Ivermectin / administration & dosage
- Ivermectin / analogs & derivatives
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Male
- Microfilariae / drug effects
- Microfilariae / growth & development
- Ointments
- Onchocerca / drug effects
- Onchocerca / growth & development
- Onchocerciasis / drug therapy
- Onchocerciasis / veterinary
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
- Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ji L, Wu J, Zuo Y, Gao W, Feng J, Zhang Z. Potential of Boronic Acid Derivatization and Activity in Agrochemical Discovery. Molecules 2025 Jul 18;30(14).
- Ruenchit P. Exploring bioactive molecules released during inter- and intraspecific competition: A paradigm for novel antiparasitic drug discovery and design for human use. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis 2025;7:100256.
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