Formulation of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans in the control of equine gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes.

This research investigates the effectiveness of a fungus called Duddingtonia flagrans, carried in a product called Bioverm®, in controlling harmful parasitic worms in horses. The study found that treating horses with Bioverm® resulted in significant weight gain, reduced number of worm eggs in the animals’ feces, and lowered the number of worm larvae found near the animals’ feces in the pasture.

Study Objective and Methodology

• The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of Bioverm®, a product containing the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans, on the contamination level of pastures and the amount of parasitic worms infesting the horses.
• For this purpose, 16 adult female horses were selected and divided into two groups: a control group that received no treatment, and a test group that was administered a daily dose of Bioverm® for six months. The dose was calculated based on the body weight of the horses.
• The effectiveness of the treatment was then evaluated by counting the number of worm eggs in the horses’ feces, conducting a coproculture study to observe the number and types of larvae present, measuring the larvae count in the pasture, and assessing any correlation between these factors and the climate. The horses’ weight gains during the study period were also recorded.

Study Findings

• The study revealed that the horses treated with Bioverm® showed significant weight gain and a decrease in the number of worm eggs in their feces, indicating a reduction in the parasitic worm burden.
• The coproculture process revealed the occurrences of more small strongyles than larger ones. Small strongyles are a species of parasitic worms commonly seen in horses.
• The researchers also found significantly fewer larvae of small strongyles within a 20 cm radius from the feces of the treated group when compared to the control group. This indicates that Bioverm® is effective in preventing the contamination of pastures with parasitic worm larvae, thereby interrupting their life cycle.
• The study also revealed a correlation between the number of larvae recovered from the pastures and the average temperature, primarily in the months of August and September, suggesting the influence of climate on the activity and distribution of the parasites.

Study Implication

• The findings suggest that the usage of Bioverm® can enhance the biological control of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in horses, serving as a viable alternative to traditional anthelmintic treatments, especially in light of the growing resistance of nematodes to these treatments.