PubMedDate not supplied
For the last 50 years the control of gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) in grazing animals has almost entirely been alleviated by the use of anthelmintics. Due to development of resistance against the drugs, especially in the GIN of sheep and goats it has become necessary to develop new, innovative strategies such as the use of nematode destroying fungi. Despite experiments to employ various species against plant and animal parasitic nematodes were already attempted in the 1930's, it was not until the 1990's when selection by simulating passage through the gastro-intestinal tract of cattle led to isolation of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans that a major breakthrough was achieved. This fungus, producing sticky three-dimensional network and now isolated world-wide, is special due to its capacity to prolifically produce high numbers of thick-walled resting spores, chlamydospores. These spores survive passage through the gastro-intestinal tract of grazing livestock and are capable of growing and subsequently trap nematodes, including larval stages of parasitic nematodes. The great potential of this fungus as a biological control agent has been demonstrated through numerous trials with cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs. But these trials have also pointed towards some potential limitations in the activity spectrum of the fungus (Dictyocaulus, Nematodirus) beside the whole group of parasites spreading through infective stages protected inside resistant eggs (e.g. Ascaris, Trichuris). So far, in the few reported studies conducted, no negative environmental impact has been found, but it is important that further studies are conducted on this important issue. Although the potential use of D. flagrans chlamydospores has been verified through numerous trials it is necessary to develop practical delivery systems such as slow release devices, feed-blocks or similar to be able to implement this tool in future integrated control strategies. Such control strategies could include the use of biological control, grazing management, smart use of existing drugs, parasite resistant animal breeds, bioactive forages, and possibly vaccines.