Field evaluation of Duddingtonia flagrans IAH 1297 for the reduction of worm burden in grazing animals: Pasture larval studies in horses, cattle and goats.
Abstract: A series of placebo-controlled trials were conducted in horses, cattle and goats in different seasons and bioclimatic regions of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, to evaluate the ability of BioWorma®, a feed supplement containing the spores of Duddingtonia flagrans IAH 1297, to reduce the larval development of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and their subsequent migration from faeces onto the surrounding pasture. In each trial, faeces were collected from animals harbouring a burden of nematode parasites following a period of supplementation with a placebo and again after supplementation with BioWorma. The faeces were manually placed onto pasture plots at one or two distinct geographical sites and the effect of treatment was determined by subsequent monitoring the numbers of parasitic larvae on the pasture surrounding the faecal pats at two weekly intervals over an eight week period. The results for these studies showed that administration of BioWorma at a minimum daily dose of 3 × 10 spores/kg bodyweight reduced parasite larvae in the pasture surrounding the faeces by 53-99 % over an eight week post treatment period in horses, cattle and goats in a range of bioclimatic zones and in different seasons. Overall, the studies with BioWorma show substantial reductions in GIN infectivity of pasture surrounding faeces of treated horses, cattle and goats (P < 0.05). Results indicate that the use of BioWorma in these host species would lead to decreased levels of GIN infection in animals grazing pasture when this product is used and would provide an alternative means of controlling parasitic nematodes.
Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-06-24 PubMed ID: 30105972DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.06.017Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research investigated the efficacy of BioWorma, a feed supplement containing the spores of Duddingtonia flagrans in reducing parasitic worm burden in grazing horses, cattle and goats. The trials, conducted in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, demonstrated a substantial reduction of parasite larvae in the pasture surrounding their excrements, indicating a potential for decreased levels of parasitic infection when grazing animals are treated with BioWorma.
Research Context and Methodology
- The trials were placebo-controlled and conducted in different seasons and bioclimatic areas of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. This was done to ensure that results were not influenced by certain unique environmental conditions.
- The trial involved horses, cattle and goats as subjects, which allowed for identification of any species-specific effects, and to determine the efficacy of BioWorma® across multiple species.
- BioWorma®, is a feed supplement embedded with the spores of Duddingtonia flagrans IAH 1297, a fungus known for its nematode-trapping abilities.
- In every trial, faeces were gathered from animals harboring a burden of nematode parasites, firstly after a period of no supplementation, and then after supplementation with BioWorma®. This allowed for a comparison of parasitic larvae count in both states.
Research Findings and Significance
- These trials showed that administration of BioWorma at a specified minimum daily dosage led to a significant decrease (53-99 %) in parasite larvae in the pasture surrounding the faeces. This was observed over an eight week post treatment period in horses, cattle and goats, across a range of bioclimatic areas and in varying seasons.
- The research implies a potential decrease in levels of parasitic infection in the animals when subjected to treatment with BioWorma®. This signifies a possible alternative method to managing parasitic worm infection in grazing animals.
- In addition to its therapeutic significance, the research may also have implications in the broader context of animal husbandry and the agriculture industry, suggesting a possible organically based mechanism to reduce nematode burden in pastures hence improving the productivity and health of grazing livestock.
Cite This Article
APA
Healey K, Lawlor C, Knox MR, Chambers M, Lamb J, Groves P.
(2018).
Field evaluation of Duddingtonia flagrans IAH 1297 for the reduction of worm burden in grazing animals: Pasture larval studies in horses, cattle and goats.
Vet Parasitol, 258, 124-132.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.06.017 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- International Animal Health Products Pty Ltd, PO Box 6199 Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia. Electronic address: khealey@iahp.com.au.
- International Animal Health Products Pty Ltd, PO Box 6199 Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia. Electronic address: clawlor@iahp.com.au.
- CSIRO F.D. McMaster Laboratory, Locked Bag 1 Armidale NSW 2350, Australia.
- Invetus Pty Ltd, Locked Bag 6865, West Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
- Invetus Pty Ltd, Locked Bag 6865, West Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
- Zootechny Pty Ltd, 975 The Northern Rd, Bringelly, NSW 2556, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / microbiology
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
- Australia / epidemiology
- Biological Control Agents / administration & dosage
- Cattle / parasitology
- Climate
- Duddingtonia / isolation & purification
- Feces / parasitology
- Goats / parasitology
- Herbivory
- Horses / parasitology
- Larva / physiology
- Nematoda / drug effects
- Nematoda / microbiology
- Nematode Infections / epidemiology
- Nematode Infections / parasitology
- Nematode Infections / therapy
- Nematode Infections / veterinary
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Spores, Fungal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Lozano J, Louro M, Almeida C, Victório AC, Melo P, Rodrigues JP, Oliveira M, Paz-Silva A, Madeira de Carvalho L. Isolation of saprophytic filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and assessment of its predatory activity on coccidian oocysts. Sci Rep 2023 Jun 2;13(1):8965.
- Fernández S, Zegbi S, Sagües F, Iglesias L, Guerrero I, Saumell C. Trapping Behaviour of Duddingtonia flagrans against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Cattle under Year-Round Grazing Conditions. Pathogens 2023 Mar 1;12(3).
- Mendoza-de Gives P. Soil-Borne Nematodes: Impact in Agriculture and Livestock and Sustainable Strategies of Prevention and Control with Special Reference to the Use of Nematode Natural Enemies. Pathogens 2022 Jun 1;11(6).
- Tinkler SH. Preventive chemotherapy and anthelmintic resistance of soil-transmitted helminths - Can we learn nothing from veterinary medicine?. One Health 2020 Jun;9:100106.
- Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Olivieri E, Villa L, Fraquelli C, Manfredi MT. Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Goats: Host-parasite Relationship Differences in Breeds at Summer Mountain Pasture in Northern Italy. J Vet Res 2019 Dec;63(4):519-526.
- Saeed MA, Beveridge I, Abbas G, Beasley A, Bauquier J, Wilkes E, Jacobson C, Hughes KJ, El-Hage C, O'Handley R, Hurley J, Cudmore L, Carrigan P, Walter L, Tennent-Brown B, Nielsen MK, Jabbar A. Systematic review of gastrointestinal nematodes of horses from Australia. Parasit Vectors 2019 Apr 29;12(1):188.
- Abbas G, Nielsen MK, E-Hage C, Ghafar A, Beveridge I, Bauquier J, Beasley A, Wilkes EJA, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Jacobson C, Hughes KJ, Jabbar A. Recent advances in intestinal helminth parasites of horses in the Asia-Pacific region: Current trends, challenges and future directions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2025 Dec;29:100622.
- Nielsen MK, Pyatt A, Perrett J, Tydén E, van Doorn D, Pihl TH, Schmidt JS, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Beasley A, Abbas G, Jabbar A. Global equine parasite control guidelines: Consensus or confusion?. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2025 Aug;28:100600.
- Ali EA, Abbas G, Beveridge I, Baxendell S, Squire B, Stevenson MA, Ghafar A, Jabbar A. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Australian dairy goat farmers towards the control of gastrointestinal parasites. Parasit Vectors 2025 Jan 24;18(1):25.
- Beasley A, Abbas G, Hughes K, El-Hage C, Jacobson C, Bauquier J, Wilkes E, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Hurley J, Beveridge I, Nielsen M, Jabbar A. Australian guidelines for equine internal parasite management. Aust Vet J 2025 Apr;103(4):151-158.
- Bosco A, Prigioniero A, Falzarano A, Maurelli MP, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Quaranta G, Claps S, Sciarrillo R, Guarino C, Scarano P. Use of perennial plants in the fight against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Front Parasitol 2023;2:1186149.
- Lozano J, Almeida C, Vicente E, Sebastião D, Palomero AM, Cazapal-Monteiro C, Arias MS, Oliveira M, Carvalho LM, Paz-Silva A. Assessing the efficacy of the ovicidal fungus Mucor circinelloides in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks. Sci Rep 2024 May 18;14(1):11352.
- Lozano J, Cunha E, Almeida C, Nunes M, Dias R, Vicente E, Sebastião D, Henriques S, Madeira de Carvalho L, Paz-Silva A, Oliveira M. Analyzing the safety of the parasiticide fungus Mucor circinelloides: first insights on its virulence profile and interactions with the avian gut microbial community. Microbiol Spectr 2024 May 2;12(5):e0407823.
- Salmo R, Viña C, Zubiria I, Malagón JÁH, Sanchís JM, Cazapal C, Arias MS, Sánchez-Andrade R, Paz-Silva A. Formulating Parasiticidal Fungi in Dried Edible Gelatins to Reduce the Risk of Infection by Trichuris sp. among Continuous Grazing Bison. Pathogens 2024 Jan 17;13(1).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
