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Biomedical subjects

I C Martin

Publications and source records attributed to I C Martin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in equine strongyles. 1. Frequency, geographical distribution and relationship between occurrence, animal husbandry procedures and anthelmintic usage.

A survey was conducted to determine whether benzimidazole resistant populations of equine strongyles are present in New South Wales and north central Victoria; what is their frequency and geographical distribution; which species are involved; and whether different methods of parasite control could be related to the occurrence and frequency of anthelmintic resistant populations. Resistant populations of strongyles were found over wide areas of New South Wales and in north central Victoria. There was no relationship between geographical location and the occurrence of benzimidazole resistance. The species involved were small strongyles of the sub-family Cyathostominae. There was a direct correlation between the occurrence of resistance (including the level at which it is present) and the frequency of use of benzimidazole anthelmintics. Examination of management practices showed that resistance is not an important problem on farms where different chemical classes of anthelmintics were used in a slow rotation programme; combination anthelmintic therapy (for example, benzimidazole/piperazine/organophosphates) was used and anthelmintic treatment was given at intervals of not less than 16 weeks. Tentative suggestions are made for the control of small strongyles in the light of an emerging resistance problem.

Animal Husbandry↗

Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in equine strongyles. 2. Evidence of side-resistance, and susceptibility of benzimidazole-resistant strongyles to non-benzimidazole compounds.

The susceptibility of a known thiabendazole-resistant population of small strongyles to anthelmintics of both benzimidazole and non-benzimidazole groups, was determined. In the first study, 42 horses infected with thiabendazole-resistant small strongyles were allocated to 6 groups. Treatment groups received one of the following anthelmintics: mebendazole, febantel, febantel plus trichlorphon, morantel tartrate, or a combination of thiabendazole, piperazine and trichlorphon. Morantel tartrate and the thiabendazole/piperazine/trichlorphon combination produced highly significant (p less than 0.001) reductions in faecal strongyle egg counts 20 days post-treatment. Mebendazole, febantel and febantel plus trichlorphon failed to reduce strongyle egg counts significantly. Larval culture and differentiation indicated that in all cases of anthelmintic failure, small strongyles of the sub-family Cyathostominae were involved. Eighteen horses from groups in which treatment had failed were re-allocated to 3 groups. Treatment with either morantel tartrate or haloxon was highly efficient in reducing faecal strongyle egg counts. In the final study, fifty-four horses, infected with benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles were allocated to 10 groups. On day zero, each treatment group received one of the following anthelmintics: thiabendazole, cambendazole, mebendazole, oxibendazole, piperazine, thiabendazole/piperazine, cambendazole/piperazine, mebendazole/piperazine or oxibendazole/piperazine. Oxibendazole, piperazine and the benzimidazole/piperazine combinations produced highly significant reductions in faecal strongyle egg counts 20 days post-treatment (p less than 0.001). When administered alone, benzimidazole anthelmintics failed to reduce strongyle egg counts significantly, with the exception of oxibendazole. Larval culture and differentiation indicated that in all cases of anthelmintic failure, the species involved were small strongyles of subfamily Cyathostominae. There was no significant increase in benzimidazole resistance level (based on in vitro assay) as a result of drug treatment, over one generation.

Animals↗

Serum levels of amoxycillin following its oral administration to thoroughbred foals.

Amoxycillin trihydrate was administered orally to 6 foals at dose rates of 13 mg/kg (low), 20 mg/kg (medium) and 30 mg/kg (high) and serum concentrations determined at intervals up to 8 h. Therapeutic serum levels of 1 microgram/ml persisted for 268 mins at a dose rate of 13 mg/kg, for 339 mins at 20 mg/kg and for 381 mins at 30 mg/kg. A 2 micrograms/ml serum level persisted for 198 mins at a dose rate of 13 mg/kg, for 268 mins at 20 mg/kg and for 311 mins at 30 mg/kg. To determine the spectra of its antibacterial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of amoxycillin against 8 genera of common pathogenic bacteria in foals were examined. Of the bacteria tested, only Streptococcus equi, Strep zooepidemicus and Staphylococcus aureus (non-beta lactamase producing) would have been treated effectively with the serum levels which persisted in these foals. It is concluded that amoxycillin cannot be considered for broad spectrum use against pathogens likely to be encountered in the foal, but, because of its ease of administration orally, has a useful role in treating streptococcal infections and staphylococcal infections not caused by beta lactamase producers. If sensitivity testing of isolates is made, the drug may be useful also for treatment of some infections caused by the Gram-negative organisms Actinobacillus equuli and Salmonella typhimurium.

Administration, Oral↗

Use of guniea pigs to assay anthelmintic resistance in ovine isolates of Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

Guinea pigs infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis were used to develop an assay for anthelmintic resistance by determination of worm burdens following treatment with test anthelmintics. To achieve comparable efficacy with the recommended dose of thiabendazole and levamisole in sheep, dose rates in guinea pigs had to be increased two to four fold. For example, thiabendazole at 100 mg/kg in guinea pigs was 96.6 per cent effective against a thiabendazole susceptible (GS) strain of T colubriformis, but had no effect against a thiabendazole-resistant (VRSG) strain. In sheep 50 mg/kg of thiabendazole would have a similar efficacy against each strain respectively. Morantel tartrate at 10 mg/kg in guinea pigs was 99 to 100 per cent effective against the GS strain but only 54 per cent effective against a morantel resistant (PF4) strain. A slope ratio assay was used to calculate the relative potency of anthelmintics by comparing efficacies against resistant strains with efficacy against the GS strain. Resistance of the VRSG strain to thiabendazole was confirmed with a relative potency for this drug of 0.047 in guinea pigs. The PF4 strain was resistant to both thiabendazole and levamisole which had relative potencies of 0.168 and 0.255 respectively. The advantages of this statistical treatment together with the cost and time savings of the guinea pig model over a conventional critical anthelmintic assay in sheep are discussed.

Animals↗

Five generations of selection with benzimidazole and non-benzimidazole anthelmintics against benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus and Ostertagia spp in sheep.

Benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia spp were subjected to selection pressure over five laboratory generations with the recommended dose rates of either cambendazole, oxfendazole or morantel. A change in response, with larger residual worm burdens remaining after treatment at the fifth generation, was shown for both cambendazole and oxfendazole against both species of nematode. No change in response against either species are shown for morantel. The results are discussed in terms of the problem associated with inefficient removal of the adult parasites after treatment.

Animals↗

Changes in response of a benzimidazole resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus from sheep after passing through calves.

A benzimidazole resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus was passaged through lambs only or from lambs to calves and back into lambs. Changes in response to thiabendazole were monitored by using an egg hatch test at each animal passage and by a controlled experiment on adult worms at the final passage in lambs. An increased level of resistance was shown for the isolate during its passage through calves by the egg hatch test, although this was not supported on the adult worms in sheep using a single dose rate of 66 mg/kg of thiabendazole.

Animals↗

Anthelmintic efficacy of low-dose phenothiazine against strains of sheep nematodes susceptible or resistant to thiabendazole, levamisole and morantel tartrate: effect on patent infections.

The anthelmintic efficacy of low-dose phenothiazine therapy, administered as a 1:40 phenothiazine: molasses mixture, was tested against patent infections of strains of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia spp susceptible or resistant to thiabendazole (an other benzimidazoles), levamisole and morantel tartrate. Phenothiazine reduced faecal egg output for both susceptible and resistant strains of all three nematodes. In daily doses of 0.25 g per sheep per day and above it completely inhibited larval production in susceptible strains. Against resistant strains, there was a reduced efficiency with 82.3 per cent inhibition of egg hatch at the 0.25 g per sheep per day level. Phenothiazine treatment had no significant effect on worm numbers for either susceptible or resistant worms. It is suggested that benzimidazole-resistant strains may be cross-resistant to phenothiazine.

Animals↗

Anthelmintic efficacy of low-dose phenothiazine against strains of sheep nematodes susceptible or resistant to thiabendazole, levamisole and morantel tartrate: efficiency against sequentially administered infections.

Low-dose daily phenothiazine therapy, administered as a 1:40 phenothiazine:molasses mixture, was tested against sequential infections of strains of Haemonchus contortus. Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia spp susceptible or resistant to thiabendazole, levamisole and morantel tartrate. Phenothiazine at a dose rate of 0.5 g per sheep per day significantly reduced the numbers of worm eggs per gram of faeces in both susceptible and resistant strains by an average of 48 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. Phenothiazine completely inhibited larval production in susceptible strains. With resistant worms, larval production was depressed by up to 85.7 per cent. Treatment with phenothiazine : molasses mixture reduced the numbers of worms which became established in resistant Ostertagia spp and susceptible T colubriformis but had no effect on the establishment of susceptible H contortus and Ostertagia spp or resistant H contortus and T colubriformis.

Administration, Oral↗

Patterns of wool moisture in merino sheep and its associated with blowfly strike.

A method for determining the moisture content of wool with a minimum disturbance to the constituents is described. The method was used to show differences in moisture content according to anatomical site, age, sex, strain of merino and in lesions of fleece rot, bacterial stain and active flystrike. The incidence of natural flystrike was recorded and related to the higher levels of moisture content. The moisture content in proximal wool was found to increase at different rates, following wetting of the fleece with droplets of water falling under gravity to simulate rain. A level of 20 per cent moisture content was reached after different time intervals in different strains of merino sheep, which may explain one of the differences in strain susceptibility to fleece rot

Animals↗

The effect of a drying agent (B26) on wool moisture and blowfly strike.

A drying agent (B26) was applied as a mist to sheep fleece. A reduction of 30 per cent in wool moisture was recorded, which persisted for 10 to 12 weeks. Reapplication of B26 extended the period of dryness, without adding to the reduction of moisture. Treatment using 100 to 200 ml of the drying agent resulted in reduced fleece moisture content for seven days when exposed to wetting by simulated rain. Treated sheep showed a 60 per cent reduction in the number and severity of fleece rot lesions. Diazinon reduced the incidence of natural flystrike by 50 per cent and the drying agent by 75 per cent over a five week period before shearing compared with untreated animals.

Aluminum↗

Blood-gas, acid-base and haematological values in horses during an endurance ride.

The effects of prolonged strenuous exercise on arterial and venous oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, pH, bicarbonate, standard bicarbonate, base excess, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total plasma protein were studied in 36 horses during a 100 km endurance ride. There were significant changes in many parameters when pre-ride values were compared with both mid-ride and end of ride values. The prominent changes were the development of dehydration and a metabolic alkalosis. At the mid-ride sampling time those horses with higher heart rates had a greater degree of metabolic alkalosis than those with lower heart rates. The first 4 horses in the race completed the ride with speeds between 322-330 m/min and demonstrated a metabolic acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗