The efficacy of two isolates of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans against Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae in faeces.

A series of experiments was carried out to examine the effects of two different isolates of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce the number of free-living larvae of the bovine lungworm, Dictyocaulus viviparus. A laboratory dose-titration assay showed that isolates CI3 and Troll A of D. flagrans significantly reduced (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) the number of infective D. viviparus larvae in cultures at dose-levels of 6250 and 12,500 chlamydospores/g of faeces. The larval reduction capacity was significantly higher for Troll A compared to CI3 when lungworm larvae were mixed in faecal cultures with eggs of Cooperia oncophora or Ostertagia ostertagi and treated with 6250 chlamydospores/g of faeces. Both fungal isolates showed a stronger effect on gastrointestinal larvae than on lungworm larvae. Two plot trials conducted in 1996 and 1997 involved deposition of artificial faecal pats containing free-living stages of D. viviparus and C. oncophora on grass plots. Herbage around the pats was collected at regular intervals and infective larvae recovered, counted and identified. These experiments showed that both D. flagrans isolates reduced the number of gastrointestinal as well as lungworm larvae in faecal pats. During both plot trials, the transmission of C. oncophora larvae, but not D. viviparus, from faecal pats to the surrounding herbage was clearly affected by climatic conditions. After collection of faecal pats from the grass plots one month after deposition, the wet and dry weight of pats as well as organic matter content were determined. No differences were found between the fungus-treated and non-treated control pats. This indicated that the rate of degradation of faeces was not affected by the addition of the fungus.     

A technique for the quantification of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores in sheep faeces

Previous observations showed that Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores were visualized in McMaster chambers containing faeces of treated sheep. This trial explored the McMaster technique as a tool to quantify chlamydospores in sheep faeces. A range of individual chlamydospore doses (from 19.5 x 10(6) to 177.5 x 10(6)) were offered orally to nine lambs for 7 consecutive days. A faecal sample (5 g) was daily obtained from the rectum of each animal (from days 1 to 13) to perform the McMaster technique using a sugar flotation fluid with 1.27 g/mL density. Each chlamydospore counted in the McMaster chamber was considered as 50 chlamydospores per g of faeces (CPG). The results confirmed that the estimated CPG was associated with the daily dose offered to the animals (r(2)=0.90; P<0.001). Furthermore, the total chlamydospore dose received by each animal was strongly associated to the total quantity of CPG obtained from the bulk faeces (TCtot) (r(2)=0.96; P<0.0001). Quantification of CPG can be used as a helpful tool to determine the number of chlamydospores reaching the faeces in orally dosed animals. This could be used to evaluate the efficacy of D. flagrans for the control of gastrointestinal nematode larvae in sheep faeces.     

Impact of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on Muellerius capillaris larvae in goat faeces

The small lungworm Muellerius capillaris is very prevalent in goats and causes production losses. Its control is particularly difficult. The nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans has been shown to be effective in trapping a large range of gastro-intestinal nematode larvae but its trapping activity against small lungworm remains to be assessed. The purpose of this work was firstly, to evaluate the ability of first-stage larvae of M. capillaris (L1) to induce trap formation in in vitro conditions and secondly, to determine the effect of D. flagrans on the L1 infectivity to snails. In experiments on agar, the presence of L1 failed to induce any D. flagrans traps whereas in the same conditions, gastro-intestinal third-stage larvae induced 44-135 traps/cm(2) depending on the species. Moreover, when the traps were pre-induced by Haemonchus contortus larvae, the L1 of M. capillaris were not trapped. For the in vivo trial, two goats naturally infected with M. capillaris received D. flagrans chlamydospores at the daily dose rate of 5x10(5) spores/kg BW for 8 days. Faeces were collected individually before, during and 11 days after spore administration. On each day of harvest, the initial larval output was determined. The remaining faeces were subjected to coproculture at 21 degrees C for 7 days. At the end of this period, L1 were collected and used to infect snails (30 snails per goat isolate each snail given 40 L1 by direct deposit of the larvae on the foot of the snail). These snails were artificially challenged in contrast to others that were exposed to natural infection by exposure to faeces carrying first-stage M. capillaris larvae. The natural infection used the same number of snails, i.e. 30 snails deposited on the faeces of each goat. After 3 weeks at room temperature, the infective larvae present in the snail foot were counted. There was no difference in the survival of the L1 in faeces after coproculture whether the faeces contained D. flagrans or not. The infectivity of the extracted larvae from the two goats before and after fungal administration was the same. The number of infective larvae per snail obtained after "natural" infection showed variations that were not related to the presence of D. flagrans mycelium in faeces. These trials clearly indicate that D. flagrans was unable to trap or to alter the infectivity of M. capillaris first-stage larvae and thus cannot be considered as a non-chemotherapeutic alternative approach to the control of the small lungworm in goats.     

The potential of nematophagous fungi to control the free-living stages of nematode parasites of sheep: towards the development of a fungal controlled release device.

Studies showed that chlamydospores of the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, are capable of surviving pressures of several tonnes when incorporated into matrices and pressed into tablets for the manufacture of prototype intraruminal controlled release devices (CRDs). They remain viable in this tabletted form for at least 9 months when stored at 4 degrees C. In vitro studies demonstrated that there was no effect on spore viability of prolonged exposure to either room or elevated temperature (40 degrees C) in air, or under an atmosphere of either of the major ruminal gases, carbon dioxide and methane. In vivo, studies showed that viable chlamydospores could be detected at the erosion surface of prototype CRDs recovered from the rumen and also in faeces of fistulated sheep, for up to 3 weeks after administration. Further studies have shown that chlamydospores released from such devices can substantially reduce the number of infective larvae that develop in cultures of faeces collected from sheep infected with the nematode parasite, Haemonchus contortus. This work demonstrates, in principle, that the deployment of chlamydospores of D. flagrans in intraruminal CRDs, is another possibility in the development of a range of methods for the biological control of parasites in livestock.     

Disintegration of dung pats from cattle treated with the ivermectin anthelmintic bolus, or the biocontrol agent Duddingtonia flagrans

An experiment was performed during the grazing seasons of 1998, 1999 and 2000 to study the influence of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin and the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on cattle dung disintegration. The faeces originated from groups of animals that were part of a separate grazing experiment where different control strategies for nematode parasite infections were investigated. Each group consisted of 10 first-season grazing cattle that were either untreated, treated with the ivermectin sustained-release bolus, or fed chlamydospores of D. flagrans. Faeces were collected monthly on 4 occasions and out of pooled faeces from each group, 4 artificial 1 kg dung pats were prepared and deposited on nylon mesh on an enclosed pasture and protected from birds. The position of the new set of pats was repeated throughout the 3 years of the study. Each year, the dung pats were weighed 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after deposition and immediately afterwards replaced to their initial positions. Results showed that there was no difference in faecal pat disintegration between groups. However, the time-lag between deposition and complete disintegration of the faeces varied significantly between deposition occasions. Dung pats disappeared within 2 weeks (visual observation) when subjected to heavy rainfall early after deposition, whereas an extended dry period coincided with faeces still remaining 12 months after deposition.     

Trapping efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans against Haemonchus contortus at temperatures existing at lambing in Australia

The aim of this study was to determine the trapping efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans against Haemonchus contortus at the temperature ranges experienced around lambing in the major sheep producing regions of Australia. Faeces were collected from Merino wethers, maintained in an animal house and which had received either D. flagrans chlamydospores for a 6-day period (DF) or not (NIL). Faeces were incubated at one of four daily temperature regimens which were composed of hourly steps to provide 6-19 degrees C, 9-25 degrees C, 14-34 degrees C and 14-39 degrees C to mimic normal diurnal air temperature variation. Enumeration of the number of preinfective and infective larvae that had migrated from or remained in faecal pellets was used to calculate percentage recovery and trapping efficacy of D. flagrans. Recovery of H. contortus larvae of both stages was significantly lower in DF faeces but the magnitude of the effect was considerably greater for infective larvae. Mean recovery of infective larvae from NIL and DF faeces was 10.6 and 0.4%, respectively, indicating a mean trapping efficacy of 96.4%. The lowest trapping efficacy (80.7%) was observed at 6-19 degrees C but total recovery of infective larvae, from DF faeces, was greatest at the two highest temperature regimens, although still less than 0.9%. The results of this study indicate that typical Australian lambing temperatures should not be a barrier to the use of D. flagrans as an effective biocontrol of H. contortus in Australia.     

Administration of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores to goats to control gastro-intestinal nematodes: dose trials

The ability of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce the number of infective nematode larvae in coproculture was investigated in goats using different doses of chlamydospores (0, 1.25 x 10(5), 2.5 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores/kg BW/day) given by oral administration or by voluntary consumption in feed during natural or experimental infections with nematodes. The kinetics of excretion of D. flagrans chlamydospores in the faeces was also determined using a dose of 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores/kg BW/day for five days. For all the trials, the faecal nematode egg outputs were determined by a modified McMaster method and standard coprocultures were set up (14 days, 25 degrees C) to determine the number of larvae emerging from culture in fungus treated and control faeces. When chlamydospores were orally administered, the number of larvae were reduced by 50 to 97% when compared to control cultures. No difference in the level of larval emergence from the culture was seen for experimental or natural infections at the different chlamydospore dose rates. In contrast, when chlamydospores were distributed in the feed, a dose-dependent relationship was observed 10 days after the start of administration, the larval development being 2.0%, 14.0% and 86.9% for 5 x 10(5), 2.5 x 10(5) and 0 spores/kg BW/day, respectively. In addition, the kinetic study showed that the larval emergence from coproculture in the fungus group was statistically lower than in the control group from the second day of administration of the chlamydospores and remained lower until the second day after the last administration (p < 0.05). The results indicate that, for goats in farm conditions, a minimum daily dose of 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores/kg BW must be used to ensure a high treatment efficacy and that daily administration is preferable for maintenance of efficacy over time.     

Effect of different times of administration of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on the transmission of ovine parasitic nematodes on pasture--a plot study

Investigations were made into the timing of administration of Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological control agent against ovine parasitic nematodes including stongylid and Nematodirus spp. Faeces from 3-4 months old male lambs were deposited onto pasture plots that had never been grazed by sheep. The trial was conducted over two consecutive years (1998 and 1999). For both years, the following three plot types were involved: Sim plots had faeces containing nematode eggs and Duddingtonia flagrans spores deposited simultaneously; Post plots had faeces containing nematode eggs followed 2 weeks later by faeces containing D. flagrans spores alone; Control plots had faeces containing only nematode eggs; Prior plots (included in 1999) had faeces containing D. flagrans spores alone followed 2 weeks later by faeces containing nematode eggs. In each year, two deposition periods were involved: July and August in 1998 and June and July in 1999. During the first year pasture samples were collected at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after initial deposition. In 1999, additional samples were collected at 10, 16 and 20 weeks. Larvae were extracted from the pasture samples and counts performed to estimate the number and species of infective third-stage (L(3), larvae) present. The number of third-stage strongylid larvae on pasture was significantly lower on Sim plots compared to the remaining plot types for both years at all deposition times (P<0.001). This was also the case for the number of Nematodirus infective larvae in August deposition plots in 1998 (P<0. 02). There was no significant difference between treatments in both deposition times in 1999 and July deposition plots in 1998 for the Nematodirus data. These results suggest that D. flagrans, if deposited at the same time as parasite eggs prevents transmission of third-stage larvae from the faecal deposit onto pasture, including occasionally Nematodirus species, but does not have an effect on third-stage parasitic nematode larvae in the surrounding soil.     

Efficiency of Duddingtonia flagrans against Trichostrongyle infections of sheep on mountain pastures

The control of sheep nematode parasites in extensive mountain/transhumant management systems using the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans was assessed in this study. Two groups of Churra Tensina ewes were allowed to graze for 8 weeks in autumn on two separate paddocks of infected pasture near their winter sheds in the valley. At lambing, ewes and their twin lambs were turned out into the same paddocks for the following 12 weeks. One group of ewes received a daily dose of 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores of Duddingtonia flagrans/kg live weight per day both in autumn and in spring, while the other group was used as a non-treated control. Daily dosing of grazing ewes with the fungus D. flagrans had a clear effect on reducing autumn pasture contamination. This had a subsequent effect on the over-wintering larvae population that was confirmed by a 20% lower worm burden of tracer lambs kept in early spring on the paddock previously grazed by fungus treated ewes. In spring, pasture contamination was also significantly reduced in the paddock grazed by fungi-treated ewes and their lambs showed a 61% lower worm burden and a better performance than the control lambs. Results herein show that fungal spores fed to sheep at critical times with regard to the epidemiology of parasite infection, can have a significant effect on the infective larvae present on pasture, which could further improve lambs performance. This novel approach to parasite control would be of interest amongst both organic and conventional sheep farmers operating in mountain regions.     

Implications of Fungicidal Effects of Benzimidazole Compounds on Duddingtonia flagrans in Integrated Nematode Parasite Management in Livestock

An in vitro trial with carbendazim fungicide on the growth profile of the predatory fungus Duddingtonia flagrans was undertaken and in vivo trials in sheep and buffaloes, fed on chlamydospores of D. flagrans and administered albendazole anthelmintic, were conducted. Although no growth inhibition was detected at a carbendazim concentration of 0.05 ppm, growth inhibition was recorded of 50% and above at concentrations of 0.25 and 1.00 ppm (p < 0.001) and of around 90% at concentrations of 2.00 to 5.00 ppm (p <0.0001). Scanty recovery of the fungus was made from faecal culture 48 h following a single dose of albendazole both in sheep and buffaloes. However, profuse fungal recovery was made from 96 h post dosing onwards. When the drug was used as an intraruminal slow-release capsule, no faecal fungal recovery could be made from day 3 after administration of the capsule, when the albendazole sulphoxide concentration was around 1.0 microg/ml. However, profuse and scanty fungal recovery could be made on days 1 and 2, respectively, after administration of the capsule, when the plasma albendazole sulphoxide concentration was around 0.4 and 0.9 microg/ml, respectively. The implications for use of a combination of anthelmintics and biological control in sustainable parasite control programmes are discussed.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against recombinant fatty acid binding protein of Fasciola gigantica

Biological options for nematode parasite control are being sought, as the long-term efficacy of conventional anthelmintics comes increasingly under threat from drug-resistant parasites. Three biological methods with the potential to reduce pasture contamination by parasitic nematode larvae were examined: (a) killing of larvae developing in dung by nematophagous fungi; (b) removal of dung through earthworm ingestion; (c) burial of dung in soil as might occur through the action of dung beetles. Field trials with the test bio-control agents were carried out in autumn and spring by adding dung from sheep infected with Ostertagia (Teladorsagia) circumcincta to pots of ryegrass/white clover. The factorial treatment structure included five fungal treatments (individual applications of Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium gephyropagum and Harposporium helicoides, a combination of all the three fungi together and an untreated control), two dung burial treatments (dung buried or deposited on the soil surface) and two earthworm treatments (earthworms present or absent). D. flagrans and H. helicoides, individually or in combination, reduced recovery of infective stage larvae in experiment 1, while only H. helicoides reduced recovery in experiment 2. In both the experiments, dung burial increased the total number of larvae recovered, while the number of infective larvae were reduced by the action of earthworms. Increased recovery following burial, along with the fact that larvae moved rapidly from soil onto herbage, suggests that soil may provide a protective reservoir for infective larvae infesting herbage.     

Effect of the nematophagous fungus,Duddingtonia flagrans,on the larval development of goat parasitic nematodes: a plot study

Effective alternatives to anthelmintic treatment against nematode parasites of goats are required because of the high prevalence of benzimidazole resistance. Towards this objective, the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans (Df), was used in a plot study against two main parasitic nematode species of goats, Teladorsagia circumcincta (Tcir) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Tcol). Worm-free, culled goats were experimentally infected with strains of Tcir and Tcol to constitute donors. Half of the animals were periodically given Df chlamydospores at a daily dose of 2.5 x 10(5) spores/kg BW while the remaining animals were kept as controls. At 5 time periods i.e. March, May, July, September and November 2001, corresponding to the main grazing season in France for goats, faeces were collected from the 6th day of fungus administration for the following 2 days to obtain approximately 1 kg of faeces from each group of animals: Tcir/Control, Tcol/Control, Tcir/Fungus, Tcol/Fungus. For each period and each group, the faeces were deposited on a 1 m2 grass plot and the grass was cut (3 replicates) on weeks 2, 4, 6, 8,12 after deposition, for infective larval recovery. Larvae were counted and the results were expressed as a ratio of larvae/eggs deposited. On the plots with the control faeces deposited in March, July and September, the grass infectivity due to Tcir and Tcol was similar and the maximum number occurred between 2 and 4 weeks post deposition. In May, the maximum numbers of larvae were not recorded until 8 weeks after deposition, due to high daily temperatures and dryness. In November, larval development took place only for Tcir. On the plots with the fungus treated faeces, a significant reduction in grass infectivity occurred for both nematodes and ranged from 50-60% in May, July and November deposits to 80-90% in the September deposit. On the contrary to these findings, no difference was recorded between the fungus and control plots for the March deposit. In conclusion, D. flagrans is suitable for reducing the number of infective larvae in the herbage during the main part of the grazing period for the most important digestive nematodes of goats.     

The impact of daily Duddingtonia flagrans application to lactating ewes on gastrointestinal nematodes infections in their lambs in the Netherlands

Two experiments were performed in 2002 and 2003 to evaluate the effect of biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep through the daily feeding of 500,000 chlamydospores of Duddingtonia flagrans/kg bodyweight to lactating ewes during the first 9 weeks with their young lambs on pasture. In both experiments four groups of eight ewes and their April-borne lambs were used. They were turned out on four separate plots (plots A) at the beginning of May, moved to similar separate plots after 3 (plots B) and 6 weeks (plots C), respectively, and weaning occurred after 9 weeks. In both experiments, two groups were fed spores daily while the two other groups served as controls. The effect of D. flagrans application was evaluated through faecal egg counts of ewes and lambs, the yield of faecal cultures in ewes, pasture larval counts and worm counts of lambs and tracer lambs. The results demonstrated no effect of D. flagrans application during the first 5 (2002) or 4 (2003) weeks. Subsequently, fungus application strongly reduced the yield in faecal cultures of the ewes. This was, however, not reflected in the pasture larval counts, but lower worm burdens were observed in tracer lambs of 'treated' plots C in 2002 than on those of 'control' plots. In 2003 worm burdens in 'treated' lambs returned to plots B were lower than those of 'control' lambs and a tendency for the same was observed for plots C. However, in all groups, lambs and tracer lambs developed severe haemonchosis.     

A new isolate of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans a biological control agent against free-living larvae of horse strongyles

An experiment was carried out in 1997 to test the efficacy of an isolate of the microfungus Duddingtonia flagrans against free-living stages of horse strongyles under conditions in the field and to assess the eventual effect of the fungus on the normal degradation of faeces. Faecal pats were made from faeces of a naturally strongyle infected horse, which had been fed fungal material at a dose level of 106 fungal unit/kg bwt. Control pats without fungi were made from faeces collected from the same animal just before being fed fungi. Faecal cultures set up for both groups of faeces to monitor the activity of the fungus under laboratory conditions showed that the fungus significantly reduced the number of infective third-stage larvae (L3) by an average of 98.4%. Five faecal pats from each batch of faeces were deposited on pasture plots at 3 times during spring-summer. The herbage around each pat was sampled fortnightly to recover L3 transmitted from faeces. The results showed that the herbage infectivity around fungus-treated pats was reduced by 85.8-99.4%. The remaining faecal material at the end of each sampling period was collected, and the surviving L3 were extracted. Significantly fewer larvae were recovered from the fungus-treated pats. Analysis of wet and dry weight of the collected pats, as well as their organic matter content, were performed to compare the degradation of faeces of both groups. The results indicated that the presence of the fungus did not alter the degradation of the faeces.     

The potential of nematophagous fungi to control the free-living stages of nematode parasites of sheep: feeding and block studies with Duddingtonia flagrans.

A series of feeding trials was conducted with penned sheep harboring Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections. They were offered barley grains supporting the growth of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans. It was shown that as little as 5g of grain/sheep per day was sufficient to virtually eliminate larval numbers from faecal culture. This effect persisted for the time that the fungal grains were fed, and for up to 2 days following cessation of feeding this material. Macerated fungal grains were also incorporated into a range of feed block formulations. In all these, D. flagrans was found to survive the manufacturing process and resulted in significant reductions in larval numbers in faecal cultures set up during the feeding period to sheep. This was observed even for sheep that showed only modest and irregular block consumption. These studies demonstrate that supplementary feeding or block administration offer potential deployment options for D. flagrans as a means of biological control of nematode parasites of livestock.     

Failure of Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce gastrointestinal nematode infections in dairy ewes

A field study was conducted on three Swiss farms to investigate the efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans against naturally acquired infections of gastrointestinal nematodes in adult dairy sheep. On each farm the ewes were divided into two equal groups. One group received Duddingtonia during a period of 4 months at a daily dose rate of 10(6) chlamydospores per kilogram body weight, the second group acted as controls. At an overall moderate infection level in all farms D. flagrans did not have a significant effect on the observed parasitological parameters with the exception of a significantly reduced herbage infectivity in one farm. In contrast, the results from faecal cultures indicated a mean suppression of larval development during the fungus-feeding period between 82, 89 and 93% on the three farms, respectively. The discrepancy observed between the fungus efficacy in coprocultures and on pasture, which was also observed in several other studies deserves further research.     

Nematophagous fungi as a biological control agent for nematode parasites of small ruminants in Malaysia: a special emphasis on Duddingtonia flagrans

Approximately 2,800 fresh dung samples from animals, mainly ruminant livestock, were screened for the presence of nematophagous fungi in Malaysia. Arthrobotrys spp. was noted on numerous occasions, but only one isolate of Duddingtonia flagrans was made. For the purposes of producing sufficient quantities of this fungus for feeding trials in sheep, various, commonly available, cheap plant materials were tested as possible growth substrates. This showed that cereal grains (wheat, millet and rice) were the best media for fungal growth. Pen feeding trials were carried out using sheep, both naturally and experimentally infected with nematode parasites (predominantely Haemonchus contortus), to test the efficiency of D. flagrans when administered either in a grain supplement, or incorporated into a feed block. These showed that the fungus survived gut passage in sheep and that dose rates of approximately 1 x 10(6) D. flagrans spores / animal / day, reduced the percentage of infective larvae developing in faecal cultures by more than 90%. These results indicate that using D. flagrans as a biological control agent of nematode parasites, is a promising alternative to nematode parasite control of small ruminants in Malaysia, where anthelmintic resistance is now a major problem.     

The effect of Duddingtonia flagrans on trichostrongyle infections of Saanen goats on pasture

Four groups of nine Saanen goat does with a naturally acquired mixed trichostrongylid infection were grazed on four paddocks. Two groups received a daily dose of Duddingtonia flagrans at the rate of 5 x 10(7) chlamydospores per animal per day for the 26-day grazing period. After a 19-day pasture resting period, 20 worm free 12-week-old tracer kids were introduced to the paddocks for 14 days prior to removal for worm burden analysis. Four groups of five does and four kids were drenched then turned out onto the paddocks and faecal egg count (FEC) monitored. The FEC between groups was comparable throughout the initial grazing period. There were significant reductions in number of Teladorsagia circumcincta (54.8%, P=0.004) and Haemonchus contortus (85.0%, P=0.02) worms recovered from tracer animals. FEC of animals subsequently grazing pasture were significantly reduced (P=0.036) with reductions of 44% observed 4 weeks post-turnout. No significant difference was observed after 6 weeks grazing. This trial has demonstrated the potential of D. flagrans to reduce larval numbers on pasture grazed by goats under New Zealand conditions.     

Ability of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to adapt to the cyathostomin egg-output by spreading chlamydospores

The analysis of the capability of the nematode trapping-fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to adapt to the cyathostomin egg-output in horses was evaluated. Fecal samples from 196 pasturing autochthonous Pura Raza Galega horses were collected from the rectum and then divided according to the egg-output into three groups: ≤ 300, 310-800 and >800 eggs per gram feces. Four doses of chlamydospores (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 × 10(6)/100g feces) were directly spread onto fecal pats on the ground, remaining one without treatment as control. Fecal pats confirmed the presence of gastrointestinal nematode larvae belonging to strongylid cyathostomins (Cyathostomum and Gyalocephalus spp). An overall 94% (95% CI 91, 97) percentage of reduction was obtained, and an increase in the activity of the trapping-fungi simultaneously to the rising in the number of cyathostomin eggs and larvae in the coprocultures was detected. A significantly highest reduction of the cyathostomin L3 in the coprocultures with more than 800 EPG was found, which indicates that Df trapping activity is larvae nematode density-dependant. The present research showed the high biological activity of D. flagrans against nematode larvae can adjust to the cyathostomin egg-output, and underlines its efficacy as a practical method for the control of these parasites in grazing horses.     

Efficiency of feeding Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores to grazing ewes on reducing availability of parasitic nematode larvae on pasture

Gastrointestinal nematodes are of concern in sheep production because of production and economic losses. Control of these nematodes is primarily based on the use of anthelmintic treatment and pasture management. The almost exclusive use of anthelmintic treatment has resulted in development of anthelmintic resistance which has led to the need for other parasite control options to be explored. The blood sucking abomasal parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus causes severe losses in small ruminant production in the warm, humid sub-tropic and tropics. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a nematode trapping fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, in reducing availability of parasitic nematode larvae, specifically H. contortus, on pasture. Chlamydospores of D. flagrans were mixed with a supplement feed which was fed daily to a group of crossbred ewes for the duration of the summer grazing season. A control group was fed the same supplement feed without chlamydospores. A reduction in infective larval numbers was observed in fecal cultures of the fungus-fed group. Herbage samples from the pasture grazed by the fungus-fed group also showed a reduction in infective larvae. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in overall fecal egg count, packed cell volume or animal weight between fungus-fed and control groups. Tracer animals were placed on the study pastures at the end of the study to assess pasture infectivity. Although tracer animals were only two per group, those that grazed with the fungus-fed group had substantially reduced (96.8%) nematode burdens as compared to those from the control group pasture. Results demonstrated that the fungus did have activity against nematode larvae in the feces which reduced pasture infectivity and subsequently nematode burdens in tracer animals. This study showed that D. flagrans, fed daily to grazing ewes, was an effective biological control agent in reducing a predominantly H. contortus larval population on pasture.