South African field strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to the levamisole/morantel group of anthelmintics

A strain of Haemonchus contortus from the Pietermaritzburg district of Natal was found to be resistant to levamisole (geometric mean efficacy 76.5%), morantel (41.9%), the benzimidazoles (oxfendazole: 33.7%) and rafoxanide (82.0%), but apparently fully susceptible to closantel and disophenol. In the case of ivermectin, a mean of 5.2% of the H. contortus was not removed at a dosage of 200 micrograms kg-1 live mass. A second strain of H. contortus, from Amsterdam in the south-eastern Transvaal, showed reduced susceptibility to levamisole (80.8%) and morantel (46.2%), the only 2 drugs tested. This is apparently the first report of resistance to the levamisole/morantel group of anthelmintics in sheep in South Africa.

Lack of reversion of a benzimidazole resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus after six years of levamisole usage

The resistance level of Haemonchus contortus was studied on a farm where benzimidazole resistance had been detected in 1980 and where, since 1982, only levamisole had been used for worm control. Egg development tests gave LD50 values of 0.18, 0.19 and 0.21 microgram ml-1 thiabendazole for samples taken from ewes in 1988 compared with 0.21 microgram ml-1 in 1981. Studies on sheep experimentally infected with larvae cultured from the faeces of these ewes confirmed the continued resistance of H contortus to benzimidazoles, and demonstrated the absence of benzimidazole resistance in other nematode species together with the susceptibility of all species to levamisole.

Effects of the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron on development of Ascaris suum and Haemonchus contortus

The potential of the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron (DFB) to alter the development of the parasitic nematodes (Ascaris suum and Haemonchus contortus was investigated. DFB given orally (10 mg kg-1 per day for 30 days) to sheep inoculated with H. contortus infective larvae did not prevent the establishment of adults or affect fecal egg output. However, there was a significant (greater than 90%) decrease in the number of infective larvae recovered from fecal cultures derived from lambs harboring H. contortus adults that were treated with DFB. DFB did not affect egg hatching. Oral administration (10 mg kg-1 per day for 20 days) of DFB to swine harboring adult A. suum adults had no effect on the adult worm burden or on egg morphology, but eggs removed from worms obtained from DFB-treated swine contained less chitin than eggs removed from untreated control swine. DFB also inhibited chitin synthesis in vitro in the isolated reproductive tract of A. suum adults. These results indicate that DFB at high doses can inhibit the subsequent development of H. contortus larvae in the feces. Since H. contortus larvae lack chitin, DFB may act on these larvae by a mechanism independent of a direct effect on chitin synthesis.

Efficacy of levamisole against immature and mature nematodes in goats with induced infections

Anthelmintic efficacy of levamisole against induced infections with 7- and 21-day-old Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, and T colubriformis was evaluated as an oral drench in goats. Group 1 (n = 8) was not treated, group 2 (n = 8) was given 3.96 mg of levamisole/kg of body weight, group 3 (n = 8) was given 7.92 mg of levamisole/kg, and group 3 (n = 7) was given 11.88 mg of levamisole/kg. Efficacy against all worms was low in goats given 3.96 mg of levamisole/kg, but was high against adult H contortus (99%) and adult T colubriformis (99.7%) in goats given 7.92 mg of levamisole/kg. Although efficacy against adults of all species was high in goats given 11.88 mg of levamisole/kg, some immature worms of all species remained in the abomasa of goats.

The problem of escalating resistance of Haemonchus contortus to the modern anthelmintics in South Africa

During the past decade in South Africa there has been a continual increase in sheep of strains of gastrointestinal helminths resistant to the modern anthelmintics. Five strains of Haemonchus contortus are described in this paper. Despite the fact that 2 of the 5 strains were tested for susceptibility only to ivermectin, a total of 10 instances of resistance were found. Four of the 5 strains were resistant to ivermectin, 2 to closantel, 2 to rafoxanide and 2 to the benzimidazoles. One of these strains was concurrently resistant to 3 different anthelmintic groups, namely, the ivermectins, the benzimidazoles and the salicylanilides. Resistance to ivermectin developed in 2 strains of H. contortus after a history of only 3 treatments with this compound in one instance and 11 treatments in the other. In the latter case drenching with ivermectin was well interspersed with that of other anthelmintics. This rapid development of resistance suggests that there may be cross-resistance between ivermectin and another anthelmintic group. Two of the ivermectin resistant strains were recovered from separate properties in the south-western Cape Province, where Ostertagia circumcincta, which is usually the dominant parasite in this region, was virtually eliminated by the anthelmintic treatment. On each of these properties it was apparently replaced by a resistant strain of H. contortus. A serious threat to control is the dissemination of worm strains with multiple resistance to anthelmintics. The strain of H. contortus resistant to 3 anthelmintic groups has already been widely dispersed, as the farmer concerned suddenly decided to give up farming with sheep and to sell his flock.

Selection of ivermectin-resistant Trichostrongylus colubriformis in lambs

A mixed population of Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis was passed for four generations through lambs. In successive passages and on Day 6 (D6), lambs were dosed subcutaneously with ivermectin at 100, 200, 250 and 225 micrograms kg-1 body weight, respectively. No larvae of H. contortus were recovered after the first passage and following the third drug exposure only T. colubriformis was present. Larvae of the selected strain of T. colubriformis developed to third stage, sheathed larvae in vitro in concentrations of ivermectin that inhibited development of larvae from the original strain of T. colubriformis. A definitive control test was then run with 45 lambs, to compare this selected strain to the original strain. The treatments were 150 micrograms kg-1 subcutaneous (SC) D6, 200 micrograms kg-1 SC D6, 200 micrograms kg-1 intraruminal (IR) D6 and 200 micrograms kg-1 SC D21; all treatments were compared to non-treated controls, selected or original strain as applicable. The D6 IR and D6 SC 150 micrograms kg-1 treatments were greater than 99% effective in both strains, although the D6 SC 200 micrograms kg-1 treatment was 85 and 48% effective in the original and selected strain, respectively. The D21 200 micrograms kg-1 was only 58% effective against the selected strain. There was significant (P less than 0.001) differences between the original and selected strains of T. colubriformis for both fecal egg output and worm counts. The exposure of four generations of immature T. colubriformis to ivermectin selected for partial resistance.

Field trials with closantel and Haemonchus contortus in sheep in Papua New Guinea

Sheep treated once with closantel at 7.5 or 15.0 mg/kg and grazing with untreated sheep remained free of Haemonchus contortus for at least 4 to 5 weeks and 6 to 7 weeks respectively after treatment. When the whole flock was treated with 15.0 mg/kg, H. contortus began to become re-established 7 to 8 weeks later. Maximum benefit of the residual anthelmintic effect of closantel against H.contortus was obtained only when all sheep in the flock were treated; it took 10 weeks longer for H.contortus to form 50% of larval cultures when the whole flock was treated than when only a part of the flock was treated.

Resistance of field strains of Haemonchus contortus to ivermectin, closantel, rafoxanide and the benzimidazoles in South Africa

After a first description in 1975 of a strain of Haemonchus contortus resistant to the benzimidazole anthelmintics in South Africa, further strains of the same species developed resistance to rafoxanide and closantel, and a strain of Ostertagia species became resistant to the benzimidazoles. Recently five further strains of H contortus have been found which show resistance to these anthelmintics. Of these, four showed varying degrees of resistance to ivermectin and one was resistant to three anthelmintic groups. One of the strains became resistant to ivermectin very rapidly despite effective rotation of this anthelmintic with chemically unrelated anthelmintic compounds.

Laboratory selection of Haemonchus contortus for resistance to ivermectin

The eighth generation of adult Haemonchus contortus, selected by subjecting infected pairs of sheep to suboptimal ivermectin treatment once per generation from parent (P; BBH isolate) through F7 (IV-A; selected isolate), required an approximate 4-fold increase in the ivermectin dose to produce 95% efficacy compared with its contemporary parent isolate. In a dose titration experiment the dose-response curve of the drug pressure-derived isolate, IV-A, was significantly (0.02 less than P less than 0.05) less steep than was the response curve of the parent, BBH, isolate. Potency estimates based upon these nonparallel dose-response curves would not remain constant over a range of efficacy levels but would decrease rapidly at efficacies greater than 95%. Passage of a closed population of the F8 generation of IV-A sequentially through pairs of sheep for an additional 11 generations (F8A-F8K) without additional drug pressure being applied produced no reversion to sensitivity to ivermectin relative to the F7 generation, thus suggesting that the selected "resistance" was stable.

A field evaluation of benzimidazole and nonbenzimidazole drugs in a herd of dairy goats

A study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of six anthelmintics in a herd of dairy goats. Pretreatment larval cultures indicated that the goats were infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Three separate treatment regimens were administered. In each trial, mature nonlactating goats were allocated into two treatment groups and a control group. Treatment groups received thiabendazole (TBZ) or levamisole (LEV), mebendazole (MBZ) or fenbendazole (FBZ), and morantel tartrate (MOR) or ivermectin (IVR). LEV, MOR, and IVR reduced fecal strongyle egg counts by 99% to 100% of pretreatment values. The benzimidazole (BZD) drugs changed pretreatment fecal egg counts by +2% to -32%. Results of posttreatment larval culture demonstrated the presence of H contortus larvae following the administration of BZD drugs.

Anthelmintic activity of continuous low doses of fenbendazole into the rumen of sheep

Fenbendazole (FBZ) was continuously infused for 30 days into the rumen of 103 lambs which had mature or developing benzimidazole-susceptible or thiabendazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus and susceptible Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections. Ovicidal, larvicidal and adulticidal activities were exhibited against benzimidazole-susceptible and benzimidazole-resistant H. contortus worms by FBZ at a dose level of greater than or equal to 0.2 mg kg-1 body weight day-1. Reasonably consistent high level efficacy against H. contortus was obtained with dose levels greater than 0.4 mg kg-1. Excellent control of susceptible T. colubriformis worms was achieved with the lowest dose tested of 0.4 mg kg-1 day-1. The intraruminal infusion critical study method is a tool to determine the feasibility of incorporating a candidate anthelmintic compound in a continuous sustained-release rumen device formulation. The anthelmintic profile of FBZ obtained by low-level intraruminal administration suggests that it would be a potential candidate.

Efficacy of levamisole and netobimin against Haemonchus contortus in lambs in Louisiana

Efficacy of levamisole was evaluated in a suspected levamisole-resistant population of Haemonchus contortus in the Louisiana State University sheep flock. The efficacy of netobimin also was evaluated against this population of Haemonchus. In trial 1, 5 lambs naturally infected with H contortus were given 8 mg of levamisole/kg of body weight as a drench, and 5 lambs were not treated (controls). Nematode recovery after slaughter indicated 0% efficacy against H contortus. In trial 2, 30 nematode-free lambs were each given 8,300 F1 generation infective larvae of H contortus, which were derived from parent H contortus that survived 2 levamisole treatments in lambs being maintained in a nematode-free environment. Ten lambs were treated with 8 mg of levamisole/kg as a drench, 10 were treated with 20 mg of netobimin/kg as a drench, and 10 were not treated (control). Nematode recovery after slaughter revealed 62.3% and 99.8% efficacy for levamisole and netobimin, respectively, against H contortus.

Prevalence of benzimidazole resistance of nematodes in sheep in The Netherlands

A survey was carried out in The Netherlands to determine the prevalence of benzimidazole resistance in sheep nematodes. It was shown that 47 per cent of the 59 investigated flocks harboured trichostrongylid populations with resistance to benzimidazoles, as demonstrated by an LD50 value of 0.12 micrograms ml-1 thiabendazole or higher in an in vitro egg hatch assay. On these farms Haemonchus contortus was found to be the dominant species. In two flocks resistant Ostertagia and, or, Trichostrongylus species populations were found. Farms with resistance were revisited to determine the anthelmintic efficacy in vivo by means of treatment and egg count. In only four of the 19 flocks which showed resistance in vitro was an efficacy of less than 95 per cent in vivo achieved. This means that there is a discrepancy between the in vivo and in vitro results. Resistance was found more frequently on pure sheep farms than on mixed farms. It is suggested that mixed farms offer more refuge for susceptible H contortus populations.

Two field strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to rafoxanide

Two field strains of Haemonchus contortus, one from Pretoria on the Highveld and the other from White River in the Lowveld of the Transvaal, showed pronounced resistance to rafoxanide at a dosage rate of 7.5 mg/kg live mass per os. Both of these strains originated from kikuyu pastures under irrigation. Resistance in South Africa to rafoxanide and other anthelmintics, namely, closantel, ivermectin and the benzimidazoles is reviewed. It is concluded that apart from avoiding farming practices where integrated worm control is not possible, there is at present no solution to the problem of worm resistance in the country.

The effect of triflumuron (SIR8514) on the free-living stages of sheep nematodes

Studies both in vitro and in vivo showed that the insect growth regulator, triflumuron, exhibited potent larvacidal effects against the free-living stages of Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Effects were not as marked on the closely related nematodes, Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that growth regulators may be used to develop novel methods of nematode control, and thus offer alternatives or adjuncts to conventional anthelmintic therapy and at the same time reduce the selection for anthelmintic resistance.

Efficacy of an albendazole feed formulation against bovine gastrointestinal nematodes including arrested larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi

The efficacy of an albendazole feed premix formulation was compared with that of an albendazole drench suspension for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in 31 beef cattle. The premix (11 cattle) and drench suspension (9 cattle) were found to have similar efficacies at a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight. When compared with controls (11 cattle), both formulations caused significant (P less than 0.05) reductions in worm counts with an efficacy of 98% or greater against adult Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia punctata, and C pectinata. There was no significant effect against arrested 4th-stage larvae of O ostertagi. Adverse effects of albendazole treatment were not observed, and the premix formulation was readily consumed by cattle.

Control of helminthosis in lambs by strategic treatment with closantel and broad-spectrum anthelmintics

Treatment of ewes with broad-spectrum anthelmintic in August (pre-lambing) and early November, and of lambs in early November and early February, was effective in controlling infections with Trichostrongylus spp in lambs reared on contaminated pastures under set-stocked conditions. It was ineffective in controlling infections with Haemonchus contortus; 82% of lambs had to be withdrawn from the experiment because of severe haemonchosis. Treatment with closantel (7.5 mg/kg) at the same times was very effective against H. contortus but ineffective against Trichostrongylus spp; 25% of lambs had to be withdrawn because of severe trichostrongylosis. The same schedule using broad spectrum anthelmintic and closantel administered concurrently was effective against both parasites; no lambs had to be withdrawn and the bodyweight gain of lambs was higher than in lambs treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintic or closantel alone. The results provide a basis on which to develop a preventive anthelmintic treatment program to control haemonchosis and trichostrongylosis in sheep which will allow the current high frequency of treatment with broad-spectrum anthelmintics to be reduced. Such a program may retard selection for anthelmintic resistance in Trichostrongylus spp.

Effects of anthelmintics on Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae)

The review summarizes and evaluates recent information about the effects of anthelmintics on Haemonchus contortus. The topic is discussed under the headings effects of drugs on the absorptive surfaces, effects of drugs on metabolism, effects of drugs on the neuromuscular system, effects of drugs on developmental stages, anthelmintic efficacy, and resistant strains. Possible future lines of work are suggested in the conclusions.

Anthelmintic activity of ivermectin against immature gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

Twenty-four lambs of mixed breeding with mixed experimental infections of Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, and T colubriformis were allotted to 4 groups. One group (control) was given the vehicle propylene glycol, and the others were given 100, 200, or 300 micrograms of ivermectin/kg of body weight by mouth. Twelve days after treatment, the sheep were necropsied. The compound was greater than 99% effective against immature stages of 4 nematode species at all dosages, except at the 100 micrograms/kg dosage, where efficacy was 96% against H contortus.

Antiparasitic agents. 6. Synthesis and anthelmintic activities of novel isothiocyanatophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The syntheses and anthelmintic activities of 31 3- and 5-(isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles are reported. In the primary anthelmintic screen, 3-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (39) showed 100% nematocidal activity and 3-(2-furanyl)-5-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (63), 3-(2-furanyl)-5-(2-chloro-4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (64), and 3-(2-furanyl)-5-(4-chloro-3-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (66) showed 100% taeniacidal activity when administered orally to mice. The two most active members of this series, 39 and 63, were active against the gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep at 100 mg/kg. In addition, 39 was also found to be active against hookworms in dogs at a single, oral dose of 200 mg/kg.

Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta: fenbendazole treatment and abomasal permeability changes in sheep

Effects of fenbendazole (7.5 mg/kg of body weight infused during 90 minutes) on abomasal transmural potential difference (PD), pH, and ionic concentrations were determined in 8 lambs fitted with permanent abomasal cannulae. Four sheep were treated before inoculation and on day 28 after inoculation, with 200,000 3rd-stage Ostertagia circumcincta larvae and 4 others were similarly inoculated with 15,000 3rd-stage Haemonchus contortus larvae. In worm-free lambs, the unique effect was an increase in Na+ concentration of the abomasal contents. The O circumcincta or H contortus-inoculated lambs had an increase in PD, pH, and Na+ concentrations. Treatment further increased these concentrations, but the effects on PD occurred and ceased earlier in sheep inoculated with O circumcincta than in those inoculated with H contortus. The results indicated that part of the changes were linked to substances produced by the parasites or by the host. The increase in PD and pH was associated with a decrease in K+ concentration and indicated that these substances stimulated HCO3- transfer.

Anthelmintic activity of a benzimidazoline compound in sheep by abomasal infusion

In vitro and in vivo data on the benzimidazoline compound indicate anthelmintic potential when introduced directly into the abomasum.

[2-(Guanidino)-anilides and related compounds. Synthesis and anthelmintic effect. 3. Anthelmintics]

Anilides bearing a guanidino, thioallophanato, isothioallophanato or amidino group in the ortho position were synthesised (6) for investigations of their anthelmintic effects, and tested against sheep trichostrongylides. The most active anilides are those containing a 5-alkylthio, 5-alkylsulphinyl (alkyl = C3H7, C4H9), 5-phenylthio, 5-phenylsulphinyl or 4-phenylsulphonyloxy group, and a guanidino group substituted at both nitrogen atoms by a methoxycarbonyl group. The most active anthelmintic anilides are the form-, propion-, butyr- and methoxy-acetanilides (e.g. 60, 61, 66, 95, 100, 110). Of the guanidines unsubstituted at N' and N", the 2-guanidino-5-phenylthio-2-methoxyacetanilide (123) and the 2-guanidino-5-phenylsulphinyl-2-methoxyacetanilide (152) were more active than parbendazole. From the class of bismethoxycarbonylguanidines (6 alpha), which are also the most interesting products in terms of stability, febantel (110, Rintal) has been introduced into veterinary practice for the treatment of nematode infections in horses, cattle, sheep and swine.

Pharmacokinetic behaviour and anthelmintic efficacy of 1-n-butyl carbamoyl oxfendazole given by intramuscular injection

Oxfendazole (OFZ) was chemically modified to 1-n-butyl carbamoyl OFZ (C4-OFZ) in an attempt to improve the solubility of OFZ and enable it to be administered by injection. After intramuscular injection to sheep and cattle, C4-OFZ was metabolised to OFZ which resulted in higher plasma OFZ concentrations that persisted for a considerably longer period than those observed following administration of OFZ orally. The anthelmintic efficacy of injected C4-OFZ was tested, in sheep, against strains of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta, which were highly resistant to benzimidazoles. In all cases, the C4-OFZ treatment showed a significant improvement in efficacy over the conventional oral OFZ drench.

Observations on the fumarate reductase system in Haemonchus contortus and their relevance to anthelmintic resistance and to strain variations of energy metabolism

Fumarate reductase activity in a thiabendazole-resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus was found to be significantly lower than that from a susceptible strain. However, the fumarate reductase activity in a mebendazole-resistant strain did not differ from that in the susceptible strain, even though it was cross-resistant to thiabendazole. Published reports of fumarate reductase activity in strains of H. contortus susceptible or resistant to benzimidazoles were reassessed. A second, unrelated Australian thiabendazole-resistant strain also proved to have significantly diminished fumarate reductase activity, whereas two American strains, one resistant to thiabendazole and one to cambendazole, possess fumarate reductase activities indistinguishable from corresponding susceptible strains. It therefore appears that the phenomenon of benzimidazole resistance cannot be generally correlated with diminished fumarate reductase activity, although in the specific case of the Australian thiabendazole-resistant strains it may be a contributory factor.

Development of benzimidazole resistance in a Haemonchus contortus strain in the Netherlands following fenbendazole treatment of ewes at parturition

In contrast to observations in former years treatment of ewes after parturition with 5 to 7.5 mg/kg fenbendazole was not fully effective in removing Haemonchus contortus. Comparison of the H contortus populations in the lambs of these ewes and those of untreated ewes later in the year revealed that the treatment resulted in fenbendazole resistance and also in side resistance to other benzimidazoles. Though the faecal egg counts of the treated ewes were low, the prophylactic effect of the treatment on the population build up of H contortus in the lambs was very limited.

Changes in resistance in mixed infections of susceptible and benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis passaged in sheep

Benzimidazole resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were each diluted with equal numbers of their respective susceptible genotypes and passaged in separate worm-free sheep. The progeny of the mixed susceptible and resistant infections were diluted with equal numbers of susceptible genotypes before passaging on two further consecutive occasions in worm-free sheep. In H contortus the amount of thiabendazole required to prevent a 50 per cent egg hatching (LC50) was reduced at each generation, but the reduction was significant (P less than 0.05) only at the third passage. In T colubriformis the LC50 for thiabendazole was reduced only at the first passage and thereafter remained constant. The reduction was not significant. In another experiment, the dilution with susceptible genotypes was made only at the first passage. Thereafter for two further generations the progeny produced from the mixed infection were passaged in worm-free sheep. In H contortus a reduced amount of thiabendazole was required to prevent a 50 per cent egg hatching at each generation, but did not reach a level of significance. The result for T colubriformis was identical to the continuous dilution experiment.

Slight resistance to the residual effect of closantel in a field strain of Haemonchus contortus which showed an increased resistance after one selection in the laboratory

On the strength of a complaint of suspected resistance to closantel, a field strain of Haemonchus contortus was isolated from sheep on a farm near Pretoria and tested for resistance to the remedy, both without exposure to closantel in the laboratory (designated the "unselected" substrain of the parasite) and after a single selection with closantel (called the "selected" substrain). For comparative purpose a few sheep were treated with rafoxanide to ascertain whether the efficacy of this drug was unchanged. While the unselected substrain appeared to show only slight increased resistance to the residual effect of closantel drenched at a dosage rate of 5 mg/kg, there was a dramatic increase in resistance after one selection. The residual efficacy (determined by the modified NPM test of Groeneveld & Reinecke, 1969, as outlined by Reinecke, 1973), 13-14 days after treatment with closantel was reduced from the registered claim of the remedy in South Africa of greater than 80% effective in greater than 80% of the treated flock to "ineffective", or less than 50% effective in less than 50% of the treated flock. Furthermore, there also appeared to be a slight increase in the resistance of this substrain to rafoxanide, as its efficacy was reduced from 99-100% to about 92%. This sharp reduction in efficacy after a single selection with closantel seemed to indicate that the slight increase in resistance of the unselected substrain was probably due not to possible variation in the repeatability of the trail method but to repeated treatment with closantel on the farm.

Avermectin acyl derivatives with anthelmintic activity

Avermectins A2a, B1a, and B2a (1, 2, and 3) were acetylated to give 4"- and 23-acetates 4 and 5 and 4",23-diacetate 6 from 1, the 4"-and 5-acetates 7 and 8 and 4",5-diacetate 9 from 2, and triacetate 10 from 3. Structure proof by 300-MHz 1H NMR and mass spectral fragmentation is discussed for 10. Forcing acetylation conditions generated from both 1 and 3 the identical aromatic diacetate 11. Good anthelmintic activities in gerbils and sheep for 4"-acetylated derivatives 4 and especially 7 prompted the preparation of additional 4"-acylated derivatives of 2 with pivaloyl, n-octanoyl, succinoyl, carbamoyl, dimethylcarbamoyl and N-acetylglycyl substituents, prepared from the 5-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-protected intermediate 12. Other key intermediates were the trichloroethyoxysuccinoyl derivative 18 and 4-nitrophenyl carbonate 21. Anthelmintic activities against Trichostrongylus colubriformis in gerbils comparable in potency to the natural product 2 are shown by the more polar substituted derivatives 20, 23, and 27. Substitution of the 5-hydroxy group or its loss due to aromatization results in drastically reduced anthelmintic potency.

Efficiency of oxfendazole administered as a single dose or in a controlled release capsule against benzimidazole-resistant haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Laboratory strains of Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta selected for thiabendazole resistance were found to have a strong side resistance to a single dose of oxfendazole. The LD50 and LD95 in mg of drug per host liveweight were respectively 4.28 and 18.46 mg/kg for H contortus and 3.61 and 11.20 mg/kg for O circumcincta. A field strain of Trichostrongylus colubriformis that had not been selected with thiabendazole for seven years also had a strong side resistance to oxfendazole with approximately 50 per cent of its population resistant to the recommended dose rate of 5 mg/kg. Prolonged administration of oxfendazole by intraruminal controlled release capsules was found to be effective against both susceptible and resistant strains of the above parasites. The first observed effect of oxfendazole, from controlled release capsules, on resistant worms was a decrease in the percentage of eggs developing to third stage larvae. This was followed by a decrease in egg count and in worm numbers.

The role of absorbed drug in the efficacy of oxfendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes

Comparisons were made of the relative efficacy of ozfendazole (OFZ), administered to sheep at 5 mg/kg either as an oral drench, single intravenous injection or 12 and 24 divided intravenous injections over 24 and 48 hours, against benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. A single intravenous injection was at least equally potent as the oral drench whilst the divided dose intravenous regimes significantly increased OFZ efficacy against both parasite species. These findings demonstrate that (i) absorbed drug is important for the efficacy of OFZ against nematodes in the abomasum and small intestine and may be more important than unabsorbed drug passing down the gastrointestinal tract, and (ii) the maintenance of plasma OFZ levels of approximately 2 micrograms/ml by divided dose regime increased efficacy compared with that achieved with the same total dose given as a single administration.

A residual anthelmintic 2,6-diiodo-4-nitrophenol (Disophenol). Methods of testing its anthelmintic efficacy

A subcutaneous injection of 2,6-diiodo-4-nitrophenol (Disophenol) at 10 mg/kg sheep leaves a residue bound to serum albumin which is lethal to Haemonchus contortus for 3 months after treatment. In the larval anthelmintic test, susceptible worm free sheep are dosed so that either third stage larvae (L3), or fourth stage larvae (L4) or 5th and adult stages are present on the day of treatment but slaughter is delayed to allow these larval stages to develop to adults because the larger worms are more easily seen, identified and counted. The larval anthelmintic test in sheep had to be altered and sheep killed within a few days of treatment, because the residues may be more effective against subsequent stages of development. Disophenol was greater than 60% effective against L3 of Oesophagostomum columbianum and L4 of H. contortus in greater than 60% of sheep (Class B). It rose to greater than 80% effective against adult H. contortus in greater than 80% of sheep (Class A). Against H. contortus it maintained Class A for 32 days, fell to Class B from 45--76 days and Class C (greater than 50% effective in greater than 50% of sheep) at 91 days after treatment respectively. In the RSA a treatment in December followed by another in March would protect sheep adequately against H. contortus for the entire season.

Prolonged anthelmintic effect of closantel and disophenol against a thiabendazole selected resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus in sheep

Two long-acting anthelmintics, closantel and disophenol, were tested by treatment 90, 60 and 30 days before challenge with a thiabendazole selected laboratory strain of Haemonchus contortus. The sheep were slaughtered 28 days after infection for total worm counts. A significant reduction in the number of adults remaining at autopsy was recorded after treatment with both anthelmintics 30 and 60 days before challenge but there was zero efficacy when the animals were treated 90 days before challenge. No significant difference was exhibited between the two compounds. Variability in response was recorded between animals on the 60 day period of treatment, which for disophenol may be dose related because animals receiving the lower volumes showed higher worm counts. For both anthelmintics a variability in the rate of metabolism may be responsible. The possibility offered by both anthelmintics for treating benzimidazole resistant strains of H contortus is discussed.

Investigations for anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes from goats

Field results from a commercial goat herd, based on egg counts and larval differentiation, suggested that anthelmintic resistance was present to albendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole, morantel, naphthalophos and phenothiazine. When the isolate was tested in sheep, using levamisole or oxfendazole, a possible resistance was shown for Trichostrongylus sp but no resistance was demonstrated in Haemonchus or Ostertagia spp. Ivermectin at a dose rate of 100 micrograms/kg was more than 98 per cent efficient in removing the adults of each of the three species of nematode. The phenomenon relating to the influence of the host on anthelmintic resistance is discussed.