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Parasitology2000; 120 Suppl; S121-S131; doi: 10.1017/s0031182099005739

Prospects for controlling animal parasitic nematodes by predacious micro fungi.

Abstract: Resistance against anthelmintics is widespread, particularly in parasitic nematode populations of small ruminants. Several new techniques or supplements have been developed or are under investigation. Biological control (BC) is one of these new methods. The net-trapping predacious fungus Duddingtonia flagrans produces thick walled resting spores, chlamydospores, which are able to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. Under Danish climatic conditions it has been shown that the number of parasite larvae on pasture and the worm burden of the grazing animals is significantly reduced when animals are fed spores during the initial 2-3 months of the grazing season. Work with D. flagrans in France, Australia, USA, and Mexico has confirmed the strong BC potential of this fungus. Today much work is going into development of suitable delivery systems for grazing livestock worldwide. Ultimately, BC should be implemented in integrated parasite control strategies, both in conventional and organic livestock production.
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Publication Date: 2000-06-30 PubMed ID: 10874715DOI: 10.1017/s0031182099005739Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research explores the potential for using a predacious fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, as a biological control method for parasitic nematodes in livestock. Experiments show promising results in reducing the number of parasite larvae and worm burden in the animals.

Overview of the Research

  • This research article investigates the possibilities of controlling animal parasitic nematodes using micro fungi, specifically the Duddingtonia flagrans. This idea stems from the increasing resistance of parasitic nematodes in small ruminants to common anthelmintics, a type of medicine used to expel parasitic worms from the body.
  • Resistance to anthelmintics is a large-scale problem in the livestock sector. Active elements in these medications no longer have the desired effect of removing worms from livestock, necessitating the need for alternative methods.

Role of Duddingtonia flagrans

  • Duddingtonia flagrans is a type of predacious fungus that generates chlamydospores, a kind of thick-walled resting spore. These spores have the unique ability to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of livestock animals, making them potential biological controllers of parasitic nematodes.
  • Experimentation under Danish climate conditions revealed that feeding livestock with these spores during the initial 2-3 months of the grazing season significantly reduces the number of parasite larvae and the overall worm burden on pastures.

International Confirmation and Further Development

  • This biocontrol method had not only worked in Denmark, but also confirmed by further studies in France, Australia, the USA, and Mexico, showing the consistent and potential power of D. flagrans in controlling parasitic nematodes across different climates.
  • More work now focuses on the development of effective delivery systems for introducing the fungus into the diet of grazing livestock worldwide.

Integration into Control Strategies

  • Ultimately, the goal is to integrate biological control using D. flagrans into broader parasitic control strategies. This would provide a new way to combat the rising resistance against anthelmintics, both in conventional and organic livestock production.
  • It suggests a shift from drug-based parasitic control to a more natural and sustainable approach through biological control, which could potentially have long-term benefits for global livestock farming.

Cite This Article

APA
Larsen M. (2000). Prospects for controlling animal parasitic nematodes by predacious micro fungi. Parasitology, 120 Suppl, S121-S131. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182099005739

Publication

Parasitology
ISSN: 0031-1820
NlmUniqueID: 0401121
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 120 Suppl
Pages: S121-S131

Researcher Affiliations

Larsen, M
  • Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiosis
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Mitosporic Fungi
  • Nematode Infections / prevention & control
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / prevention & control
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / prevention & control

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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