Predatory activity of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans in equine strongyle infective larvae on natural pasture in the Southern Region of Brazil.
Parasitol Res
; 110(2): 657-62, 2012 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21748346
ABSTRACT
Biological control is an alternative method to reduce the population of parasites through natural predators. A promising option of biological control in the reduction of infective larvae on pasture is the use of nematophagous fungi. In this study, the efficacy of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans in controlling gastrointestinal nematode parasites in field-raised horses was tested. Ten foals with an average age of 12 months were divided in two groups five males constituted the treated group and five females constituted the control group. Each group was introduced in a field of mixed pasture with approximately 5 ha. The treated group received the fungus D. flagrans at a concentration of 10(6) chlamydospores per kilogramme of animal body weight daily, mixed with horse food for 5 months. The control group did not receive the fungus. Samples were collected to perform eggs per gramme (EPG) counts weekly. Coproculture and collection of pasture were done monthly for larvae counting. No significant difference was observed in the EPG counting and in the number of larvae recovered from coprocultures, where cyathostomines, Strongylus and Trichostrongylus spp. were found after monthly larvae counting. No significant difference was observed in the EPG counts, and Trichostrongylus sp. was identified. The number of recovered larvae on pasture was significantly lower in the treated group in the last month of treatment, showing a reduction of 73.5% (p < 0.05). As such, the fungus was able to reduce the number of infective larvae in the pasture. Nevertheless, this did not reflect in a decrease of parasitic infection during the 5-month study period.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Strongylus
/
Trichostrongylus
/
Control Biológico de Vectores
/
Infecciones por Strongylida
/
Duddingtonia
/
Enfermedades de los Caballos
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasitol Res
Asunto de la revista:
PARASITOLOGIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil