Application of a formulation of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtoniaflagrans in the control of cattle gastrointestinal nematodiosis

Abstract

The viability of a formulation of Duddingtonia flagrans was assessed in the control of parasite gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle. Two groups (A and B) of eight crossbred Holstein × Zebu cattle, approximately one year old, were placed in Brachiaria decumbens pasture. Each animal in group B (treated) received orally 20 g sodium alginate pellets containing mycelial mass of the D. flagrans fungus, while the animals in the group A (control) received pellets without fungus for seven months, starting in March 2005. The egg per gram of feces counting the gastrointestinal nematodes showed a difference (P < 0.05) in the treated group in June, July and August, with reductions of 58% (June), 47% (July) and 51% (August) compared to the control group. The infective larvae recovered in the pastures collected up to 20 cm from distance of the fecal dung in group B differed (P < 0.01) from the larvae recovered in group A. At the end of the experimental period, the animals in group B presented a greater weight gain (P < 0.01) compared to the untreated group (A). The treatment of cattle with pellets containing the D. flagrans nematophagous fungus, at the dose and duration used was effective in controlling the infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle.