Molecular confirmation and anthelmintic efficacy assessment against natural trichurid infections in zoo-housed non-human primates

J Med Primatol. 2018 Dec;47(6):388-392. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12358. Epub 2018 Jul 6.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess Trichuris species infection and evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against natural trichurid infections in non-human primates (NHPs), kept at Mahendra Chaudhury (MC) Zoological Park, Chhatbir, India.

Materials and methods: Molecular confirmation of Trichuris infection was carried out using polymerase chain reaction targeting internal transcribed spacer sequences, and anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by fecal egg count reduction test, respectively.

Results: A 710 base pair product confirmed Trichuris species infection in NHPs. Fenbendazole, 10 mg/kg body weight orally for 5 consecutive days and ivermectin, 100 μg/kg body weight orally for 3 alternate days proved effective and showed a maximum fecal egg reduction of 99.20% and 100% (P < .05) at day 7 post-treatment.

Conclusions: This study highlighted the molecular confirmation of Trichuris species in non-human primates and its management using fenbendazole and ivermectin.

Keywords: Trichuris; fenbendazole; ivermectin; non-human primates; polymerase chain reaction; resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use*
  • Colobinae
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
  • India
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Macaca nemestrina
  • Monkey Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Monkey Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Monkey Diseases / parasitology
  • Ovum / parasitology
  • Papio hamadryas
  • Trichuriasis / diagnosis*
  • Trichuriasis / drug therapy*
  • Trichuriasis / parasitology
  • Trichuris / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Fenbendazole
  • Ivermectin