Allium sativum extract against free-living larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus: a potential environmental biocontrol.

The infestation of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) (Canestrini, 1887) represents a significant health problem for cattle. Up until today, no consistent control has been recommended for the free-living larval stage of R. microplus. The objective of the present study was to determine the larvicidal effect of an Allium sativum (garlic) aqueous extract against R. microplus using the larval package test, LPT. Tick larvae were obtained from adult female ticks from naturally infected animals, and 200 larvae were exposed to each A. sativum extract concentration (5, 7, 10, 16, 25, and 50%). All garlic groups received the extract in three different volumes (2, 5, and 7 ml) to determine the levels of humidity that would affect the free-living stage. Larvae from the control group were treated with distilled water and the positive control used cypermethrin in a 5-ml volume. Live and dead larvae were determined after 24 h of exposure. There was a significant statistical difference (P = 0.041) at 5% between 2 and 5 ml and between 7 and 10% of the extract using 2 ml (P = 0.034). There was a significant larvicidal activity of 100% mortality for the 16, 25, and 50% concentrations for all volumes. We observed a clear concentration-dependent effect for the extracts with a correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.92. The lethal concentration of 50% (LC50) was 13.6, 9.8, and 7.6% for the 2, 5, and 7 ml. The present A. sativum solutions may be considered a viable biofriendly alternative to reduce the number of the free-living larval stage of R. microplus on pasture and the consequent reduction of cattle infestation due to its high larval mortality.

[Utilization of the Famacha method in individual clinic diagnostic of haemonchosis in sheep of south-west of Minas Gerais State]. / Utilização do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos no Sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Famacha method in individual clinical diagnosis of haemonchosis in sheep from the south-west of Minas Gerais. Fifty crossbred Santa Inês ewes were evaluated during 5 months as for conjunctival mucous colour (Famacha method), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), body score and clinic alterations. The score Famacha observed was from 1 to 3, the body score from 2 to 5, the PCV from 20 to 47%, and FEC from 0 to 7,750. The correlations between the parameters evaluated, except Famacha with body score, were highly significant (P < 0.0001). The main genus identified in the coprocultures was Haemonchus (87-100% of total larvae, +/- 93.5%). We observed reduction of 87.33% in the use of anthelmintics on the property. It was concluded that the Famacha method, associated with other diagnostic methods, is a useful tool to detect hemonchosis in sheep.

Utilização do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos no Sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais / Utilization of the Famacha method in individual clinic diagnostic of haemonchosis in sheep of south-west of Minas Gerais State

O objetivo deste estudo foi observar a eficácia do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos provenientes do Sudoeste de Minas Gerais. Cinquenta ovelhas mestiças Santa Inês foram avaliadas durante 5 meses quanto à coloração da mucosa conjuntiva (método Famacha), volume globular (VG), ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), escore corporal e alterações clínicas. O escore Famacha observado variou de 1 a 3; o escore corporal de 2 a 5; o VG de 20 a 47 por cento; e o OPG de 0 a 7.750. As correlações entre os parâmetros avaliados, exceto Famacha com escore corporal, foram altamente significativas (P < 0,0001). O principal gênero identificado nas coproculturas foi Haemonchus (87 a 100 por cento do total de larvas, ± 93,5 por cento). Constatou-se redução de 87,33 por cento na utilização de anti-helmínticos na propriedade. Conclui-se que o método Famacha, associado a outros métodos de diagnóstico, é ferramenta útil na detecção da haemoncose em ovinos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Famacha method in individual clinical diagnosis of haemonchosis in sheep from the south-west of Minas Gerais. Fifty crossbred Santa Inês ewes were evaluated during 5 months as for conjunctival mucous colour (Famacha method), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), body score and clinic alterations. The score Famacha observed was from 1 to 3, the body score from 2 to 5, the PCV from 20 to 47 percent, and FEC from 0 to 7,750. The correlations between the parameters evaluated, except Famacha with body score, were highly significant (P < 0.0001). The main genus identified in the coprocultures was Haemonchus (87 - 100 percent of total larvae, ± 93.5 percent). We observed reduction of 87.33 percent in the use of anthelmintics on the property. It was concluded that the Famacha method, associated with other diagnostic methods, is a useful tool to detect hemonchosis in sheep.