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Veterinary parasitology2014; 205(3-4); 575-580; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.08.028

The efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel and fenbendazole against Parascaris equorum infection in foals on farms in Australia.

Abstract: This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of patent Parascaris equorum infections and determine the efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel and fenbendazole against P. equorum infection in foals on farms in southern Australia. Foals aged >3 months on five farms in the south-western slopes region of New South Wales were used. Faeces were collected from each foal and foals with a P. equorum faecal egg count (FEC) of >100 eggs per gram (EPG) were used to measure anthelmintic efficacy using the FEC reduction (FECR) test, after random allocation to a control group or an ivermectin, pyrantel embonate or fenbendazole treatment group. Treatment was administered on day 0 and faeces were collected on day 14 and a FEC was performed. For determination of anthelmintic efficacy, FECRs and lower 95% confidence intervals (LCL) were calculated using previously described methods, based on individual or group FECRs. P. equorum populations were considered susceptible when FECR was >90% and LCL >90%, suspected resistant when FECR was FECR was 80-90% and LCL <90% and resistant when FECR was <80% and LCL <90%. A Poisson distribution quality control method was applied to the data to remove suspected erroneous FECR results. Prevalence of patent P. equorum infection was 58.3% (147/252 foals) and 89 foals on 5 farms were included in the FECR study. Resistance of P. equorum to ≥ 1 anthelmintic was present on all five farms prior to and on four farms after application of the quality control method. Two farms had evidence of multiple drug resistance. Ivermectin was effective and ineffective on two and three farms, respectively. Fenbendazole was effective on two farms, equivocal on one farm and ineffective on one farm. Pyrantel embonate was effective on three farms and ineffective on one farm. These data indicate that anthelmintic-resistant P. equorum populations are present on farms in Australia and multiple drug resistance may occur on individual farms.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2014-09-06 PubMed ID: 25224788DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.08.028Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 focuses on estimating the spread of Parascaris equorum infections in foals on farms in southern Australia and testing the effectiveness of three anthelmintics – ivermectin, pyrantel embonate, and fenbendazole. The study reveals that anthelmintic-resistant P. equorum populations are prevalent on these farms, and cases of multiple drug resistance were observed.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

  • The goal of the study was to analyze the prevalence of apparent P. equorum infections and evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel embonate, and fenbendazole in foals.
  • Foals that were older than 3 months on five farms in New South Wales’ south-western slopes region were selected.
  • Faeces were taken from each foal, and those with a P. equorum faecal egg count (FEC) exceeding 100 eggs per gram were included in the research to assess anthelmintic efficacy.
  • A randomized control trial was set up where the selected foals were grouped into control and three different treatment groups—one for each anthelmintic. The drugs were administered on the first day, and faecal samples were collected again on the fourteenth day for further FEC tests.

Determining the Anthelmintic Efficacy

  • The effectiveness of the anthelmintics was established using the measurement of FEC reduction (FECR). The FECRs and lower 95% confidence intervals (LCL) were determined based on individual or group FECRs.
  • The P. equorum populations were categorized as susceptible, suspected resistant, or resistant based on the FECR and LCL. Susceptibility was designated for FECR >90% and LCL >90%, suspected resistance when FECR was 80-90% and LCL <90%, and resistance when FECR was <80% and LCL <90%.

Data Analysis and Result

  • A Poisson distribution quality control method was utilized to eliminate suspected fallacious FECR results.
  • The P. equorum infection prevalence was at 58.3%, affecting 147 foals out of 252. The FECR test was carried out on 89 foals across the five farms.
  • Before and after conducting the quality control method, resistance to at least one anthelmintic was noted across all farms. Instances of multi-drug resistance were recorded on two of these farms.
  • Ivermectin, fenbendazole, and pyrantel embonate were variably effective. Ivermectin was ineffective on three farms and effective on two farms. Fenbendazole worked on two farms, however, it was ineffective on one farm and equivocal on another. Pyrantel embonate was effective on three farms and ineffective on one.

Conclusion

  • The data suggest the existence of anthelmintic-resistant populations of P. equorum on Australian farms, and that multiple drug resistance can occur.

Cite This Article

APA
Armstrong SK, Woodgate RG, Gough S, Heller J, Sangster NC, Hughes KJ. (2014). The efficacy of ivermectin, pyrantel and fenbendazole against Parascaris equorum infection in foals on farms in Australia. Vet Parasitol, 205(3-4), 575-580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.08.028

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 205
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 575-580
PII: S0304-4017(14)00482-8

Researcher Affiliations

Armstrong, S K
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
Woodgate, R G
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
Gough, S
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
Heller, J
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
Sangster, N C
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
Hughes, K J
  • School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia. Electronic address: krhughes@csu.edu.au.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Ascaridida Infections / drug therapy
  • Ascaridida Infections / epidemiology
  • Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
  • Ascaridoidea / drug effects
  • Ascaridoidea / isolation & purification
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Pyrantel / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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