Entomopathogenic nematodes in pharmaceutical formulations for Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) control: In vitro evaluation of compatibility, thermotolerance, and efficiency

Alessandra Ésther de Mendonça; Raiana Gonçalves Moreira; Maria da Penha Henriques do Amaral; Caio Márcio de Oliveira Monteiro; Valéria de Mello; Fernanda Maria Pinto Vilela; Fernanda Cristina Mendonça Homem; John Furlong; Cláudia Dolinski; Márcia Cristina de Azevedo Prata; Evelize Folly das Chagas

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.012

Entomopathogenic nematodes in pharmaceutical formulations for Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) control: In vitro evaluation of compatibility, thermotolerance, and efficiency

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2019 Jun;10(4):781-786. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.012. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Affiliations

¹ Laboratório de Estudos em Pragas e Parasitos - LEPP, do Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°, Espaço Multidisciplinar, Campus Valonguinho, Niterói, RJ, CEP. 24020-141, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°, Espaço Multidisciplinar, Campus Valonguinho, Niterói, CEP. 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite, Rua Eugênio do Nascimento, 610, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP: 36038-330, Brazil.
² Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite, Rua Eugênio do Nascimento, 610, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP: 36038-330, Brazil.
³ Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil. Electronic address: penhaufjf1@yahoo.com.br.
⁴ Insituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública da Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, CEP: 74605-050, Brazil. Electronic address: caiosat@gmail.com.
⁵ Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil.
⁶ Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil. Electronic address: fernandampvilela@gmail.com.
⁷ Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite, Rua Eugênio do Nascimento, 610, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP: 36038-330, Brazil. Electronic address: john.furlong@embrapa.br.
⁸ Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil. Electronic address: claudia.dolinski@censanet.com.br.
⁹ Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite, Rua Eugênio do Nascimento, 610, Juiz de Fora, MG, CEP: 36038-330, Brazil. Electronic address: marcia.prata@embrapa.br.
¹⁰ Laboratório de Estudos em Pragas e Parasitos - LEPP, do Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°, Espaço Multidisciplinar, Campus Valonguinho, Niterói, RJ, CEP. 24020-141, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°, Espaço Multidisciplinar, Campus Valonguinho, Niterói, CEP. 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: efolly@id.uff.br.

PMID: 30935855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.012

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate candidate biological control agents against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus by studying three entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) isolates from two species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (isolates LPP30 and HP88) and Heterorhabditis baujardi (isolate LPP7). The study comprised the pharmacotechnical development of four test formulations, and their biological evaluation, in three stages: 1) selection of the fittest EPN isolate at 16 ± 1 °C after 120 h of incorporation in the formulations; 2) determination of the effects of temperature and incubation time on the survival of the selected isolate in formulations; 3) evaluation of the in vitro efficacy (infectivity) of the selected EPN formulations and their components against R. microplus females after 72 h exposure. H. baujardi LPP7 presented the highest survival rates in 0.1% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC) formulations (100% at 25 °C, up to 10 days after incorporation). At the highest tested temperature (34.2 °C), 54% of LPP7 survived for up to 72 h in CMC formulations. The infectivity of LPP7-containing formulation against R. microplus was 99%, reducing oviposition, egg production index and larval hatching. Considering the pressing need for safer acaricide products, incorporation of EPNs in pharmaceutical formulations is presented as a promising approach for the biological control of cattle tick infestations, potentially reducing environmental impact and resistance development associated with chemical acaricides.

Keywords: Biological control; Cattle tick; Heterorhabditis baujardi; Pharmacotechnical development.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Control Agents*
Cattle
Cattle Diseases / drug therapy
Cattle Diseases / parasitology
Drug Compounding
Female
Larva / drug effects
Nematoda / physiology*
Oviposition / drug effects
Pest Control, Biological / methods*
Rhipicephalus / drug effects*
Thermotolerance*
Tick Infestations / drug therapy
Tick Infestations / veterinary

Substances

Biological Control Agents