Anthelmintic efficacy of trichlorfon and blood parameters of young lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus

Vet Parasitol. 2019 Aug:272:40-43. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.06.015. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

Abstract

In this study we evaluated the efficacy of trichlorfon against Haemonchus contortus, monitoring its influence on blood parameters and plasma enzymes of lambs with haemonchosis. A lamb group was orally treated with trichlorfon at 100 mg kg-1 while the other group was untreated. Split-plot design analysis was performed with the lamb groups defined as plots while the subplots were the four periods (weeks) of collection. The trichlorfon treatment promoted a significant and effective reduction of fecal egg counts after one week, with efficacies > 99%. After 21 days of treatment, detected blood parameters and serum levels of plasma enzymes were normal. Additionally, serum albumin and urea concentrations increased to normal values, which were not observed in untreated lambs. The treatment with this organophosphate, using a correct oral administration, may represent an effective therapeutic alternative for sheep infected with multi resistant strain of H. contortus.

Keywords: Anthelmintic resistance; Gastrointestinal nematode; Haemonchosis; Plasmatic enzymes; Small ruminant.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Enzymes / blood
  • Haemonchiasis / blood
  • Haemonchiasis / veterinary*
  • Haemonchus
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / blood
  • Sheep Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Trichlorfon / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Blood Proteins
  • Enzymes
  • Trichlorfon