[Destruction of Toxocara canis eggs by the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia]. / Destruição de ovos de Toxocara canis pelo fungo nematófago Pochonia chlamydosporia.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Toxocara canis is an ascarid parasite of the small intestine of dogs that causes visceral larva migrans in humans. METHODS: With the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on Toxocara canis eggs under laboratory conditions, a trial was set up in Petri dishes with 2% agar-water. RESULTS: There was ovicidal activity of 43.8% (p < 0.01) in the treated group in relation to the control group over the periods studied. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study suggest that Pochonia chlamydosporia can potentially be used as an alternative biological control for embryonated Toxocara canis eggs.