Control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes using the combination of Duddingtonia flagrans and Levamisole Hydrochloride 5%

• Main Authors: Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela, Thais Ferreira Feitosa, Fabio Ribeiro Braga, Vanessa Diniz Vieira, Samuel Cavalcante de Lucena, Jackson Victor de Araújo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria 2018-02-01
• Series: Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária
• Subjects: Integrated control; nematophagous fungi; sheep-farming; Haemonchus sp
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612018005002105&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the action of D. flagrans pellets in association with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% for controlling sheep gastrointestinal nematodes in the northeastern Brazil. Three groups of six sheep each were formed: group 1 received 3 g of the pellets (0.6 g of D. flagrans mycelium) for each 10 kg b.w., twice a week for six months, and deworming with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% when EPG ≥ 1500; group 2 received a dosage of Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% when EPG ≥ 1500; and group 3 received 3 g of pellets without fungi for each 10 kg b.w., twice a week for six months. EPG counts, larval cultures, packed cell volume (PCV) and weighing were performed every 15 days; monthly, samples of grass from each paddock were collected. The mean EPG of the groups began to statistically differ from day 30 (p < 0.05). Group 1 required less deworming with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% and showed superiority of PCV values throughout the experiment (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in L3 recovery in the group 1 paddock from day 30 onwards. The use of D. flagrans pellets in association with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% was effective for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes.