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Quality control in generic anthelmintics: is it adequate?

We became increasingly concerned about indications of possible substandard efficacy of some generic anthelmintics, particularly after P.C. van Schalkwyk (personal communication, 1990) had found some batches of imported generic products obtained from international brokers to be poorly active, despite apparently normal physical characteristics. Therefore, considering the serious consequences this would have for sheep farming, it was decided to test the efficacy of some of the generic rafoxanide products available on the South African market. One of the three commercial formulations (of highly reputable companies) tested against a known susceptible strain of Haemonchus contortus in sheep was markedly substandard, with an arithmetic mean efficacy of 66.2% (Class B, Reinecke, 1973), compared to Class A efficacy of the other two, which also differed significantly from one another (Mann-Whitney; P = 0.01). Larger differences were found between the three products against a natural infection with a partially resistant strain of H. contortus than against the susceptible strain, with corresponding arithmetic mean efficacies of 28.7% (Class X, or ineffective), 71.3% (Class B) and 87.7% (also Class B). It is concluded that the most likely reason for the observed differences is that international brokers do not disclose the sources of supply of different batches of active ingredient (with the result that the companies buying anthelmintics from them have no way of telling when a source of supply is changed); that the efficacy of such batches differs; and that efficacy testing of individual batches in some cases is inadequate. It is suggested that registering authorities should consider simplified efficacy testing of each new batch of active ingredient before it may be marketed.

Animals↗

Anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites from goats in Spain.

In a flock of cashmere goats sited in Asturias (NW, Spain) diminished efficacy was observed following treatment with netobimin and consequently a study to demonstrate the existence of anthelmintic resistance and the species of nematode involved was conducted. Results from faecal egg count reduction tests before and after treatment with netobimin or ivermectin showed efficacies of 89.4 (81.8-94.8) and 99.7% (93.9-99.9%), respectively. Teladorsagia circumcincta was found to be the dominant species involved in netobimin resistance. Effective dose (ED50) values in the egg hatch assay of 0.22 microgram thiabendazole ml-1 confirmed the existence of benzimidazole carbamate resistant nematodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the existence of anthelmintic resistant nematodes from ruminants in Spain.

Animals↗

A survey on resistance to anthelmintics in sheep stud farms of southern Brazil.

A survey to investigate the status of anthelmintic resistance in 29 sheep studs in southern Brazil was conducted from March 1992 to December 1993. Compounds from three drug families (macrocyclic lactone, levamisole and benzimidazole) were evaluated concurrently on 22 of the 29 studs. On seven of these properties, resistance to all three families was declared or suspected; at 15 of the 22 studs, ivermectin was the only compound found to be effective in reducing faecal egg counts. Resistance to levamisole was detected on 22 of the 23 studs where it was evaluated and was suspected in the remaining one. The position of benzimidazoles was similar, resistance being declared or suspected on all 28 studs where they were tested. Results of larval cultures indicated that Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia and Haemonchus were the most prevalent nematode genera in the survey, with Trichostrongylus and Haemonchus being the genera associated with anthelmintic resistance.

Albendazole↗

Management practices and use of anthelmintics on dairy cattle farms in The Netherlands: results of a questionnaire survey.

In December 1996, a questionnaire about farm management and parasite control measures in calves was sent to 956 randomly chosen dairy cattle farmers in The Netherlands. Another 150 farmers in the vicinity of Deventer who had vaccinated their calves in 1995 against lungworm were approached with the same questions. Our object was to investigate the consequences on worm control of the withdrawal of the lungworm vaccine from the market for reasons of possible BSE contamination of the vaccine. OF the returned questionnaires, 411 (43%) of the 'at random' group and 89 (59.3%) of the 'Deventer' group were valid. The most important data with regard to the farms of the 'at random' group (41) were: mean area 31.6 ha, mean number of calves 23, heifers 23 and milking cows 53. Sheep (mean 37) were present on 18.3% of the farms. With regard to management: 74.5% of the farmers turned the calves in their first year onto pasture, 25.5% kept them indoors. The average time on pasture was ca. 5 months. Rational grazing was practise on 81.4% of the farms, on 18.6% calves were set stocked. The first pasture of the calves was mown before turn-out on 72.9% of the farms. On 48.2% of these farms, calves were always moved to mown pastures. With regard to treatments: 33.8% of the farmers vaccinated their calves against lungworm in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995. Despite the withdrawal of the vaccine from the market in 1996, 7.2% of the farmers vaccinated their calves as recommended, with two doses, and 13.1% with a single dose. At turn-out, 41.5% of the farmers gave the calves a preventive anthelmintic treatment. Of these treatments, 66.9% were sustained of pulse release long acting device. During the grazing season, 36.6% of the farmers treated their calves. After housing 50.3% of the farmers gave a treatment. Signs of lungworm infection were noticed on 18.6% of the farms. Of the 'Deventer' group (89 farmers), 96.6% turned the calves out, Of these farmers, 86.0% had used the lungworm vaccine in 1995. In 1996, 52.7% of the farmers had vaccinated the calves:36.5% with a single dose and 16.2% with the double dose. Of the 35 farmers who did not vaccinate in 1996, 62.9% gave a preventive treatment at turn-out. Clinical signs of lungworm infection were not observed on the 12 farms which vaccinated the calves twice. On 11% of the farms which vaccinated once and on 14% of the farms which did not vaccinate, signs of lungworm infection were observed. It is concluded that more than 80% of Dutch dairy cattle farmers take appropriate measures to control gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm infections in calves in their first grazing season by grazing on aftermath, rotational grazing on mown pastures combined or not with preventive anthelmintic treatments. However, combinations of aftermath grazing and preventive treatment occurred on 30% of the farms. This may be overprotective and may prevent sufficient build up of immunity, causing worm problems at a later age. The withdrawal of the lungworm vaccine from the market did not cause a rise in lungworm problems. Some farmers did vaccinate, despite the withdrawal. The majority used other preventive treatment measures, mainly the application of long acting boli.

Animals↗

Pharmacology of anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomes: will it occur with the avermectin/milbemycins?

Anthelmintic-resistance has emerged as a problem in several animal industries. In the horse, cyathostome resistance to all available treatments except for the avermectin/milbemycins means that these drugs provide the cornerstone of control. Ivermectin has been available for several years; the related compound moxidectin is more recent. Although we do not know for sure, aspects of moxidectin such as its persistent action and its efficacy against mucosal stages of cyathostomes, may enhance the rate of development of resistance. On the other hand, selection pressure would be reduced if the persistence of moxidectin allows it to be used less frequently in the field. Reduced anthelmintic usage and surveillance of egg reappearance period are the most useful tools in managing resistance.

Animals↗

A comparison of persistent anthelmintic efficacy of topical formulations of doramectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin and moxidectin against naturally acquired nematode infections of beef calves.

Persistent anthelmintic efficacy of topical formulations (all at a dosage of 500 microg/kg) of doramectin (DOR), ivermectin (IVM), eprinomectin (EPR) and moxidectin (MOX), in comparison with untreated control cattle (CONT), was observed in stocker beef calves during a 112-day winter-spring grazing trial. Five groups of 15 calves per group were grazed on 15 separate 2 ha pastures following random assignment of animals to specific pastures and then to treatment groups. All of the 5 treatments were represented in each of the 15 pastures. All cattle were weighed on study Days 1, 0, 28, 56, 84, 111 and 112. Fecal samples for nematode egg counts were collected on Days 7, 0, at 7 day intervals through Day 56 and at 14 day intervals to Day 1 12. Pooled group fecal cultures for determining generic composition of nematode infections were prepared at 14 day intervals throughout the study. As based on fecal egg counts, anthelmintic activity of EPR and MOX was greater (p < 0.05) than values for IVM or CONT through Day 28. Activity of DOR was greater (p < 0.05) than that of IVM on Days 7 and 14 only. Although significance levels varied little among treated groups from Day 42 to the end of the study, egg counts and percent reduction values of EPR and MOX remained consistently lower numerically than egg counts and higher than reduction values respectively, of DOR and IVM through Day 70. From Day 70 on, IVM counts were numerically, but not significantly higher than values of CONT. Based on larval culture, Cooperia predominated from Day 0 through 28 and again from Days 70 to 98; Ostertagia was second in prevalence with highest percentages, which exceeded those of Cooperia, between Days 42 and 70. Bodyweights of all treated groups, with exception of IVM, were always significantly greater (p < 0.05) than weights of CONT. Weights of IVM were numerically greater, but not significantly greater than CONT only on Days 84 and 112. From Day 56 on, there were no significant differences between weights of DOR, EPR and MOX, however, numerical values for MOX were consistently higher than values for the other two. Final average total bodyweight gains were: 153.7 kg for MOX, 148.5 kg for EPR, 146.9 kg for DOR, 139.7 kg for IVM and 127.7 kg for CONT.

Administration, Topical↗

Antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-amoebic activity in South African medicinal plants.

Hexane, ethanol and water extracts of plants used by South African traditional healers for treating stomach ailments were screened for antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-amoebic activities. To evaluate antibacterial activity, the disc-diffusion assay was used against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Minimal inhibitory concentration values were determined with a microdilution assay. Ethanolic extracts showed the greatest activity, and Gram-positive bacteria were the most susceptible microorganisms. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used in two different assays to evaluate anthelmintic activity. A microdilution technique was employed to investigate anti-amoebic activity against the enteropathogenic Entamoeba histolytica. These assays were suitable for the screening of a large number of extracts at one time. Several plants exhibited significant activity against these test organisms.

Amebicides↗

Anthelmintic screening of Zimbabwean plants traditionally used against schistosomiasis.

Extracts of 23 plant species used popularly against schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe were screened for their anthelmintic effect. Schistosomules of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni and cysticercoids of the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta were studied in vitro. The material consisted of 58 plant extracts, of which 37 killed the newly excysted cysticercoids within an hour, when incubated in a culture medium. Lethal concentrations varied from 0.8 to 103 mg/ml. All plant extracts showed activity against the tapeworms after 24 h. Ten of the best extracts were also tested against schistosomules. Five of these extracts showed activity. Lethal concentrations varied from 0.6 to 33.8 mg/ml of dry plant material. Extracts of stem and root from Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae), of root bark and leaves from Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae) and of root bark from Zizyphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) gave the best results against tapeworms. The best results against schistosomules were obtained with stem and root extracts from Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae) and stem bark from Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Mimosaceae). Although the activity of root and root bark extracts commonly used in traditional medicine was verified in this study, our results showed that also extracts from leaf and stem can be effective anthelmintics.

Animals↗

Anthelmintics and drug resistance.

Equine anthelmintics and the resistance of nematode parasites to anthelmintics are reviewed. Recommendations are made for effective treatment of these parasites and for procedures that can be performed to minimize the problem in the future.

Animals↗

Effect of the ionophore antibiotic monensin on the ruminal biotransformation of benzimidazole anthelmintics.

The benzimidazole (BZD) anthelmintics, netobimin (NTB) pro-drug and albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) are reduced to albendazole (ABZ) by ruminal microflora. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the influence of the ionophore monensin (MON) on the in vitro biotransformation of NTB and ABZSO by sheep ruminal fluid. Ruminal fluid, collected from Corriedale sheep, was preincubated (24 h) either without (control) or with known MON concentrations (0.5, 1.5 and 3.0 microg/mL) at 38 degrees C under a CO2 atmosphere. Afterwards, aliquots from both MON-pretreated and control ruminal fluid samples were incubated (30 and 60 min) with 2 microg/mL of either NTB or ABZSO. Incubated samples were chemically extracted and analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography to quantify the metabolites formed. The rate of ABZ production after 30 min of NTB incubation with control ruminal fluid was 0.023 microg/min. Conversely, the rates of ABZ formation were significantly (P<0.05) lower (0.009, 0.011 and 0.013 microg/min) when NTB was incubated with ruminal fluid pretreated with MON (at 0.5, 1.5 and 3.0 microg/mL, respectively). After both incubation periods, the reduction of ABZSO to ABZ was 22 to 70% lower when the ruminal fluid was preincubated with the different MON concentrations. The lower ABZ production observed in the presence of MON may result in a modified availability of this molecule in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and hence, on its anthelmintic efficacy against GI nematodes.

Albendazole↗

The use of zeolites as slow release anthelmintic carriers.

This work examines the ability of commercial zeolite Y to act as a slow release agent for a number of anthelmintic drugs. Administration to rats, dosed with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, of pyrantel and/or fenbendazole and pigs, dosed with Ascaris and Oesophagostomum, of dichlorvos (DDVP) loaded onto zeolite Y was more successful in killing adult worms than administration of the pure drug alone. The zeolite Y was used as supplied for initial studies and then later dealuminated for further studies. The drug loadings were monitored by thermal analysis and the loaded zeolites were used in several field trials. The results indicate that zeolite Y is a suitable vehicle for the slow release of some anthelmintics. The slow release of drug from the zeolite matrix improved its efficacy.

Animals↗

The response of nematodes in vivo and in vitro to some anthelmintics.

Dietary feeding of drugs for 5 days to mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius and Hymenolepis nana detected all modern anthelmintics examined except stilbazium. A simple test using eggs of Nematodirus spathiger and adult Nippostrongylus brasillensis to detect anthelmintics in vitro is reported.

Animals↗

Acetylcholinesterase secretion--a parameter for the interpretation of in vitro anthelmintic screens.

Interpretation of anthelmintic activity using in vitro screens has, until now, relied on the detection of drug-induced effects on nematode development, viability and motility. A novel biochemical parameter dependent upon the spectrophotometric assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme secreted in large quantities by certain trichostrongylid nematodes, has been developed to replace these often subjective indices of activity. Using Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a worm frequently employed for primary screening, the secretion of this enzyme in the presence or absence of a large number of drugs in vitro was determined. During a 4-day incubation period in a complex undefined medium without serum. AChE was secreted by normal 4th larval and immature adult stages of the worm in a linear fashion. All modern broad-spectrum veterinary anthelmintics, regardless of their mode of action, dramatically reduced the amount of enzyme secreted. Correlation between the biochemical and observational parameters was excellent and the selectivity of the assay when based solely on enzyme secretion was not lost. Other advantages were that the time required for the activity of certain slow-acting compounds to be detected was reduced from 7 to 4 days and that close microscopical examination of the worms was not necessary.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Increased burdens of drug-resistant nematodes due to anthelmintic treatment.

Nine groups of lambs were challenged with 500 drug-resistant (R) Ostertagia circumcincta infective-stage larvae (L3) twice-weekly for 6 weeks; 3 of the groups were also given 500 susceptible (S) L3 and another 3 given 3000 L3 twice-weekly. One week prior to parasite challenge, 1 group of each dose rate was administered ivermectin-capsules (IVM-CRCs). Following challenge, a second group from each dose rate was administered oxfendazole to remove susceptible parasites. The remaining groups received no drug treatment throughout the trial. No significant difference in faecal egg count was observed between the groups. The groups left untreated did not differ significantly in resulting worm burden. However, the percentage of the total L3 challenge recovered as 4th-stage larvae or adult worms demonstrated a density-dependent relationship and declined with increasing challenge. Those groups treated with anthelmintic to remove S worms prior to necropsy also showed density dependency as worm burdens were lower at the highest dose rate. In the groups administered IVM-CRCs, no dose-dependent effect on worm burden was observed. These differences resulted in more worms being present at the highest dose rate in the IVM-CRC-treated animals than in those animals treated orally with anthelmintic. Adult female worms from the IVM-CRC high challenge group were significantly longer and contained more eggs in utero than those in the other high challenge groups. These results demonstrate that where resistance is present, IVM-CRCs can modify the density-dependent regulation of the parasite population, resulting in the acquisition of larger resistant worm burdens than might otherwise be expected. This could accelerate the build-up of resistant worm populations and decrease the time until treatment failure.

Animals↗

Evaluation of anthelmintic properties of some plants used as livestock dewormers against Haemonchus contortus infections in sheep.

Gastrointestinal helminth infections remain a major constraint to livestock production globally. This study evaluated anthelmintic efficacy of 7 plants used as dewormers by farmers and pastoralists in Kenya. Thus 3 commercial anthelmintics and 7 plant preparations were tested in lambs infected with 5000 or 3000 L3 Haemonchus contortus in 4 experiments. In the first experiment, ivermectin, levamisole and albendazole were tested in 46 lambs. Seven plant preparations of Hagenia abyssinica, Olea europaea var. africana, Annona squamosa, Ananas comosus, Dodonea angustifolia, Hildebrandtia sepalosa and Azadirachta indica were tested in 151 lambs in 3 experiments. All 3 anthelminitics were highly effective in reducing faecal egg counts (FEC) and total worm counts (TWC) in lambs. Plant preparations had varying levels of crude proteins from 2.6% for O. europaea to 18.4% for A. indica. Compared with controls, no significant reductions in FEC were observed for any of the treated groups either 2 or 3 weeks post-treatment. Lambs treated with A. squamosa and A. comosus were slaughtered 4 weeks post-treatment. No significant differences were observed in mean TWC or number of eggs per female worm between treated animals and the controls. No significant improvements in weight gain were observed in treated lambs.

Animals↗

Assessment of the anthelmintic effect of natural plant cysteine proteinases against the gastrointestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, in vitro.

We examined the mechanism of action and compared the anthelmintic efficacy of cysteine proteinases from papaya, pineapple, fig, kiwi fruit and Egyptian milkweed in vitro using the rodent gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Within a 2 h incubation period, all the cysteine proteinases, with the exception of the kiwi fruit extract, caused marked damage to the cuticle of H. polygyrus adult male and female worms, reflected in the loss of surface cuticular layers. Efficacy was comparable for both sexes of worms, was dependent on the presence of cysteine and was completely inhibited by the cysteine proteinase inhibitor, E-64. LD50 values indicated that the purified proteinases were more efficacious than the proteinases in the crude latex, with purified ficin, papain, chymopapain, Egyptian milkweed latex extract and pineapple fruit extract containing fruit bromelain, having the most potent effect. The mechanism of action of these plant enzymes (i.e. an attack on the protective cuticle of the worm) suggests that resistance would be slow to develop in the field. The efficacy and mode of action make plant cysteine proteinases potential candidates for a novel class of anthelmintics urgently required for the treatment of humans and domestic livestock.

Actinidia↗

Glutamate-gated chloride channels and the mode of action of the avermectin/milbemycin anthelmintics.

The macrocyclic lactones are the biggest selling and arguably most effective anthelmintics currently available. They are good substrates for the P-glycoproteins, which might explain their selective toxicity for parasites over their vertebrate hosts. Changes in the expression of these pumps have been implicated in resistance to the macrocyclic lactones, but it is clear that they exert their anthelmintic effects by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels expressed on nematode neurones and pharyngeal muscle cells. This effect is quite distinct from the channel opening induced by glutamate, the endogenous transmitter acting at these receptors, which produces rapidly opening and desensitising channels. Ivermectin-activated channels open very slowly but essentially irreversibly, leading to a very long-lasting hyperpolarisation or depolarisation of the neurone or muscle cell and therefore blocking further function. Molecular and genetic studies have shown that there are multiple GluCl isoforms in both free-living and parasitic nematodes: the exact genetic make-up and functions of the GluCl may vary between species. The known expression patterns of the GluCl explain most of the observed biological effects of treatment with the macrocyclic lactones, though the reason for the long-lasting inhibition of larval production in filarial species is still poorly understood.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

Actions of the anthelmintic ivermectin on the pharyngeal muscle of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum.

The anthelmintic invermectin has a number of effects on nematodes which result in changes in behaviour, particularly locomotion, including paralysis and an inhibition of feeding. This paper describes the application of an in vitro pharmacological approach to further delineate the action of ivermectin on feeding behaviour. Contraction of Ascaris suum pharyngeal muscle was monitored using a modified pressure transducer system which detects changes in intrapharyngeal pressure and therefore contraction of the radial muscle of the pharynx. The pharynx did not contract spontaneously. However, serotonin (5-HT, 100 microM) stimulated rhythmic contractions and relaxations (pumping) at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid inhibited the pumping elicited by 5-HT. The duration of inhibition was concentration dependent (1-1000 microM) with a threshold of 1 microM and 10 microM respectively (n = 8). Ivermectin also inhibited pharyngeal pumping (1-1000 nM). At lower concentrations, ivermectin (1-10 pM) potentiated the GABA and glutamate inhibition, so that inhibition occurred at concentrations which were below threshold in the absence of ivermectin. These data provide evidence that the pharynx is a site for the action of ivermectin. Thus interruption of pharyngeal processes such as, feeding, regulation of hydrostatic pressure and secretion may provide a new site of anthelmintic action.

Animals↗