Predatory capability of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys robusta preserved in silica gel on infecting larvae of Haemonchus contortus.

Biological control of gastrointestinal nematodiasis in ruminants is an alternative to reduce the number of infective larvae. The fungal isolates predatory activity preservation is a basic requirement for the success of this control type. The aim of this work is to evaluate the predatory capacity of the fungus Arthrobotrys robusta (isolate I-31), preserved on silica gel on infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus under laboratory conditions on 2 % water agar (2 % WA). In this essay, A. robusta storage on silica gel showed successful predatory activity on H. contortus L3 larvae (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Nematophagous fungi were not observed in the control group during the experiment. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of 73.84 % in the means of H. contortus (L3) recovered from treatment with isolate I-31 compared to the control without fungi. Results indicate that A. robusta (I-31) could survive stored on silica gel for at least 7 years and keep its predatory activity on H. contortus (L3).

Ovicidal activity of seven Pochonia chlamydosporia fungal isolates on Ascaris suum eggs.

The ovicidal effect of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on eggs of Ascaris suum was tested under laboratory conditions. A. suum eggs were plated on 2% water-agar with seven fungal isolates (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) and control without fungus. After 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 21 days of incubation, approximately 100 eggs were removed from the plates and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo showing hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The isolates effectively destroyed A. suum eggs and all types of effects were observed during the experiment. There was no variation in ovicidal capacity (type 3 effect) among the isolates (p>0.05) throughout the experiment. After 21 days, isolate 5 showed the highest percentages of type 3 effect (58.33%). The results indicated that P. chlamydosporia (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) can destroy A. suum eggs and is, therefore, a potential biological control agent of nematodes.

In vitro predatory activity of the fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium, Monacrosporium sinense and Arthrobotrys robusta on Ancylostoma ceylanicum third-stage larvae.

The potential role of companion animals as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases has been recognised as a significant public health problem worldwide. Ancylostoma ceylanicum is the only ancylostomatidae species known for infecting human beings. This article aimed to compare the predatory capacity of predatory fungi isolates Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), Monacrosporium sinense (SF53) and Arthrobotrys robusta (I31) on A. ceylanicum infectious larvae (L(3)) in a 2% water-agar plate. There was no predatory capacity variation among the fungi tested (P>0.05) over the 7-day period experimental assay. When compared to the control (without fungi), there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) of 95.6%, 85.1%, 87.4% and 90.2% on the A. ceylanicum L(3) mean recovered from treatments with isolates AC001, NF34, SF53 and I31, respectively. Regarding linear regression coefficients, negative values were noted for treatments, therefore indicating A. ceylanicum non-predated larvae reduction over 7 days. In this work, all predatory fungi isolates were efficient at capturing and destroying in vitro the A. ceylanicum L(3); therefore being able to be used as biological controllers of such nematode.

In vitro predatory activity of nematophagous fungi and after passing through gastrointestinal tract of equine on infective larvae of Strongyloides westeri.

Three isolates of predator fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), and Arthrobotrys robusta (I-31) were assessed in in vitro test regarding the capacity of prey infective larvae (L(3)) Strongyloides westeri. Compared to control, without fungus, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of 80.4%, 67.9%, and 72.8% in means of infective larvae S. westeri recovered from treatments with isolates AC001, NF34, and I-31, respectively. All tested isolates were efficient in the capture of S. westeri (P > 0.01) in vitro test. Linear regression coefficients of treated and control groups were -0.21 for control, -0.32 for D. flagrans, -0.34 for M. thaumasium, and -0.22 for A. robusta. In the following, isolates AC001 and NF34 were assessed in vivo regarding the capacity of supporting the passage through equine gastrointestinal tract without loss of ability of preying infective larvae S. westeri. Fungal isolates survived the passage and were efficient in preying L(3) since the first 12 h of collection (P < 0.01) in relation to the control group (without fungus). Compared to control, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of 76.4% and 76.7% (12 h), 86.4% and 85.9% (24 h), 88.3% and 87.7% (48 h), and 89.9% and 87.2% (72 h) in means of infective larvae S. westeri recovered from treatments with isolates AC001 and NF34, respectively. Linear regression coefficients of L(3) of recovered S. westeri regarding the collections due to time were 1.93 for control, -3.52 for AC001, and -2.64 for NF34. Fungi D. flagrans and M. thaumasium (NF34) have demonstrated to be promising for use in the biological control of equine parasite S. westeri.

Predatory activity of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on horse cyathostomin infective larvae.

This work was performed to determine the predatory capacity in vitro of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (isolate AC001) on cyathostomin infective larvae of horse (L(3)). The experimental assay was carried out on plates with 2% water-agar (2% WA). In the treated group, each plate contained 1.000 L(3) and 1.000 conidia of the fungus. The control group without fungus only contained 1.000 L(3) in the plates. Ten random fields (4 mm diameter) were examined per plate of treated and control groups, every 24 h for seven days under an optical microscope (10x and 40x objective lens) for non-predated L(3) counts. After 7 days, the non-predated L(3) were recovered from the Petri dishes using the Baermann method. The interaction there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of 93.64% in the cyathostomin L(3) recovered. The results showed that the D. flagrans is a potential candidate to the biological control of horse cyathostomin L(3).

Predatory activity of Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus on Toxocara (syn. Neoascaris) vitulorum eggs.

Toxocara (Neoascaris) vitulorum is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of young ruminants, responsible for high mortality rates in parasitized cattle and buffalo calves. The objective of this work was to compare the predatory capacity under laboratory conditions of four fungal isolates of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC1, VC4, VC5 and VC12) on T. vitulorum eggs in 2% water-agar (2% WA). T. vitulorum eggs were plated on 2% WA Petri dishes which contained cultured fungal isolates and control plates without fungi. After 10 and 15 days one hundred eggs were removed and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo in addition to hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The fungal isolates were effective in the destruction of T. vitulorum eggs presenting the type 3 effect at 10 and 15 days after contact with the fungus. No nematophagous fungi were observed in the control group during the experiment. There was no variation in the predatory capacity of the fungal isolates (P > 0.01) at the intervals of 10 and 15 days. These results indicate that P. chlamydosporia (VC1, VC4, VC5 and VC12) negatively influenced the development of T. vitulorum eggs and can be considered a potential candidate for the biological control of nematodes.

[In vitro evaluation of nematode predacious fungus Duddingtonia fagrans on cyathostomes infective larvae of equines (Nematoda: Cyathostominae)]. / Avaliação in vitro do fungo predador de nematoides Duddingtonia flagrans sobre larvas infectantes de ciatostomíneos de equinos (Nematoda: Cyathostominae).

The predatory capacity of one isolate of nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) on infective larvae of cyathostomes was evaluated in laboratorial conditions in medium water-agar 2% (WA 2%). There was significant reduction (p<0.01) of 93.64% in the average of infective larvae of cyathostomes recovered of medium WA 2% at seven day. These results show that the isolated AC001 could be used in the biological control of cyathostomes of horses.

Avaliação in vitro do fungo predador de nematoides Duddingtonia flagrans sobre larvas infectantes de ciatostomíneos de equinos (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) / In vitro evaluation of nematode predacious fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on cyathostomes infective larvae of equines (Nematoda: Cyathostominae)

A capacidade predatória de um isolado de fungo predador de nematoides Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) sobre larvas infectantes de ciatostomíneos foi avaliada em condições laboratoriais em ensaio experimental em meio ágar-água 2% (AA 2%). Houve redução significativa (p < 0,01) de 93,64% na média de larvas infectantes de ciatostomíneos recuperadas do meio AA2%, ao final de sete dias. Os resultados desse ensaio evidenciam que o isolado fúngico AC001 poderia ser utilizado no controle biológico de ciatostomíneos de equinos.

The predatory capacity of one isolate of nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) on infective larvae of cyathostomes was evaluated in laboratorial conditions in medium water-agar 2% (WA 2%). There was significant reduction (p < 0. 01) of 93.64% in the average of infective larvae of cyathostomes recovered of medium WA 2% at seven day. These results show that the isolated AC001 could be used in the biological control of cyathostomes of horses.

Biological control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodiasis in a tropical region of the southeast of Brazil with the nematode predatory fungi Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium.

Formulations in matrix of sodium alginate (pellets) of the nematode predatory fungi Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium were evaluated in the biological control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodiasis. Three groups (1, 2, and 3), each one with eight sheep of the Santa Inês breed, at the ages of 15-48 months, were placed in paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens for 5 months. In group 1, each animal received 1 g/10 kg of live weight (l.w.) of pellets of D. flagrans (0.2 g of fungus/10 kg l.w.). In group 2, each animal received 1 g/10 kg of l.w. of pellets of the fungus M. thaumasium (0.2 g of fungus/10 kg l.w.), twice a week, for 5 months. In group 3 (control), the animals received 1 g/10 kg of live weight of pellets without fungus. The monthly averages of the egg countings per gram of feces of the animals of groups 1 and 2 treated were 71.6% and 61.1% smaller, respectively, in comparison to the animals of group 3 (control). The treatment of sheep with pellets containing the nematophagous fungi D. flagrans and M. thaumasium may be used as an alternative for the control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodiasis.

Interaction and ovicidal activity of nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on Taenia saginata eggs.

The ovicidal activity of the nematophagous fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia (isolates VC1 and VC4), Duddingtonia flagrans (isolate AC001) and Monacrosporium thaumasium (isolate NF34) on Taenia saginata eggs was evaluated under laboratory conditions. T. saginata eggs were plated on 2% water-agar with fungal isolates and controls without fungus and examined after 5, 10 and 15 days. At the end of the experiment P. chlamydosporia showed ovicidal activity against T. saginata eggs (p<0.05), mainly for internal egg colonization with results of 12.8% (VC1) and 2.2% (VC4); 18.1% (VC1) and 7.0% (VC4); 9.76% (VC1) and 8.0% (VC4) at 5, 10 and 15 days, respectively. The other fungi showed only lytic effect without morphological damage to the eggshell. Results demonstrated that P. chlamydosporia was effective in vitro against T. saginata eggs unlike the other fungi.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of antihelmintics compounds on parasitics gastrointestinal nematodes (Strongyloidea) of goats]. / Avaliação da eficácia de compostos anti-helmínticos sobre nematóides parasitos gastrintestinais (Strongyloidea) de caprinos

The present study was performed in order to evaluate the action of anthelmintics compounds on gastrointestinal parasite nematodes of 27 Alpine and Saanen adult goats. The animals were divided into three groups. The animals of groups 1 and 2 had been dealt with two different associations of antihelminthics in day zero. The goats in group 1 were treated with closantel (75 mg/mL), albendazol (38 mg/mL) and ivermectin B1a (2 mg/mL) orally (1 ml/ 10 Kg body weight); animals in group 2 were treated with closantel (100 mg/mL), albendazol (50 mg/mL), levamisol (64 mg/mL), ivermectin B1a (2 mg/mL), selenium (1 mg/mL) and cobalt (4.4 mg/mL) orally (1 ml/10 Kg of body weight) and the animals in the group 3 (control) received distilled water. Eggs per gram counts on faeces (EPG) and coprocultures of all animals were made at intervals of days 0, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The haematocrit, global counting and differential white blood cells, total protein and the Famacha test were determined at intervals of days 0, 14 and 28. Six animals of each group had suffered euthanasia and slaughters on the 28th day. The results showed that only the combination used in the animals of group 2 was effective.

[In vitro observation of the action of isolates of the fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium and Verticillium chlamydosporium on the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (Linnaeus, 1758)]. / Observação in vitro da ação dos isolados fúngicos Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium e Verticillium chlamydosporium sobre ovos de Ascaris lumbricoides (Lineu, 1758).

The in vitro action of the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium and Verticillium chlamydosporium on eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides was observed. After 7, 10 and 14 days of interaction, the fungus showing most promise for use in biologically control over Ascaris lumbricoides was Verticillium chlamydosporium (26-30%). The other fungi did not present satisfactory results.

Observação in vitro da ação dos isolados fúngicos Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium e Verticillium chlamydosporium sobre ovos de Ascaris lumbricoides (Lineu, 1758) / In vitro observation of the action of isolates of the fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium and Verticillium chlamydosporium on the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (Linnaeus, 1758)

Observou-se a ação in vitro dos fungos nematófagos Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium e Verticillium chlamydosporium sobre ovos de Ascaris lumbricoides. Após sete, dez e quatorze dias de interação, o fungo promissor a ser utilizado no controle biológico de Asaris lumbricoides foi o Verticillium chlamydosporium (26-30 por cento). Os outros fungos não foram satisfatórios.

The in vitro action of the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium and Verticillium chlamydosporium on eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides was observed. After 7, 10 and 14 days of interaction, the fungus showing most promise for use in biologically control over Ascaris lumbricoides was Verticillium chlamydosporium (26-30 percent). The other fungi did not present satisfactory results.