Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1684018
Evaluation of Parasitological Homeopathic Complex in the Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Peripartum Sheep
Publication History
10 July 2018
07 February 2019
Publication Date:
04 June 2019 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00034926/201904/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0039-1684018_1800054-1.jpg)
Abstract
Background The appearance of anthelmintic resistance has made it difficult to control verminosis in sheep, leading to increased research to find alternative nematode control. The use of homeopathy in veterinary medicine has been studied as an alternative for the treatment and control of some diseases. In this study, ewes received an anti-parasitic homeopathic complex medicine during the critical peripartum period of increased susceptibility to nematodes.
Methods Three randomized groups containing 16 animals each were assigned as follows: ‘H10’ received 10 g homeopathic complex added to concentrated food per day; ‘H20’ received 20 g homeopathic complex added to concentrated food per day; ‘C’ (control group) did not receive a homeopathic complex. Animals were tested to evaluate the effect of homeopathy on several health parameters during a period of 110 days.
Results The parasite that prevailed in the copro-cultures of both treatments throughout the experiment was Haemonchus contortus (78.26%). Packed cell volume averages did not present statistically significant differences between the treatments (24.5, 24.4 and 23.9% to C, H10 and H20, respectively; p < 0.05). For total white cell count, lower mean values ( ± standard error of mean) were observed for the H20 treatment (5,490.9 ± 0.02/µL; p < 0.05), whereas the H10 (5,919.4 ± 0.02/µL) and control (6,098.5 ± 0.02/µL) presented higher and similar averages (p > 0.05). The values for erythrocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes did not show differences between treatments (p > 0.05). Body weight was greater in the H10-treated animals compared with control. For the fecal egg count (FEC) of Trichostrongylidae and Strongyloides spp., respectively, the averages of the H20 treatment (1,523.0 and 30.6) were not different from control (1,616.0 and 31.6) and H10 (1,038.0 and 27.6); for Trichostrongylidae, however, H10 presented a lower FEC than the control (p = 0.02). For Cooperia, H10- and H20-treated animals showed FEC reductions of 97% and 98%, respectively.
Conclusions H20 treatment in peripartum sheep resulted in greater body weight and lower leukocyte count. H10 was associated with lower FEC for Trichostrongylidae. Both H10 and H20 justify a label of ‘effective anthelmintic’ for Cooperia.
Highlights
• The appearance of anti-helminthic resistance has made it difficult to control verminosis in sheep and has raised interest in alternative nematode control research.
• Research on the performance of homeopathy in verminosis is the subject of recent studies.
• The supplementation of 10 g of a homeopathic complex (H10) in peripartum sheep decreased the egg count of Tricostrongylidae spp.
• The efficacy observed in the H10 and H20 treatments for Cooperia justifies the classification of these homeopathy formulations as effective against this parasitic genus.
-
References
- 1 Falzon LC, Menzies PI, Shakya KP. , et al. Anthelmintic resistance in sheep flocks in Ontario, Canada. Vet Parasitol 2013; 193: 150-162
- 2 Carneiro RD, Amarante AFT. Seasonal effect of three pasture plants species on the free-living stages of Haemonchus contortus. . Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 2008; 60: 864-872
- 3 Balic A, Bowles VM, Meeusen EN. The immunobiology of gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants. Adv Parasitol 2000; 45: 181-241
- 4 Greer AW. Trade-offs and benefits: implications of promoting a strong immunity to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep. Parasite Immunol 2008; 30: 123-132
- 5 Gugel M, De Almeida HSL, De Britto FC, Zamprogna FD, Carlesso R. Influência do periparto na contagem de ovos de parasitas gastrointestinais em ovelhas: resultados preliminares. Syn Scy UTFPR 2012; 7: 1-3
- 6 Amarante AFT. Nematoides gastrintestinais em ovinos. In: Cavalcante ACR, Vieira LS, Chagas ACS, Molento MB. , eds. Doenças Parasitárias de Caprinos e Ovinos. Epidemiologia e Controle. Brasilia: Embrapa Informação Tecnológica; 2009: 603
- 7 Waller PJ. Sustainable nematode parasite control strategies for ruminant livestock by grazing management and biological control. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2006; 126: 277-289
- 8 Vieira L da S. Métodos alternativos de controle de nematóides gastrintestinais em caprinos e ovinos. In: Simpósio internacional sobre caprinos e ovinos de corte. João Pessoa, PB: EMEPA; 2007: 1-12
- 9 Arruda VM, Cupertino MDC, Lisboa SP, Casali VWD. Homeopatia tri-una na agronomia: as propostas de Roberto Costa e algumas relações com os agrosistemas. Viçosa: Editora UFV; 2005: 119
- 10 Souza MFA. Homeopatia veterinária. In: Conferência virtual global sobre produção orgânica de bovinos de corte, 1, 2002, Corumbá. Anais eletrônicos. Available at: http://www.cpap.embrapa.br/agencia/congressovirtual/pdf/portugues/02pt02.pdf . Accessed September 21, 2016
- 11 Morales REV. . Reylac, an alternative homeopathyc in the bovine subclinical mastitis control. Redvet 2005 ; VI(6). Available at: http://www.veterinaria.org/revistas/redvet/n060605.html . Accessed June 10, 2016
- 12 Zacharias F, Guimarães JE, Araújo RR. , et al. Effect of homeopathic medicines on helminth parasitism and resistance of Haemonchus contortus infected sheep. Homeopathy 2008; 97: 145-151
- 13 Association of official analytical chemists – AOAC. Official methods of analysis. 12th ed. Washington, DC: AOAC International; 1975: 1094
- 14 Association of official analytical chemists (AOAC). Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th ed. Gaithersburg, MD: AOAC International; 1995
- 15 Sanudo C, Sierra I. Calidad de la carnal em la especie ovina. Ovino 1986; 1: 127-153
- 16 Pugh DG. Clínica de ovinos e caprinos. São Paulo: Roca; 2004
- 17 Gordon HMcL, Whitlock HV. A new technique for counting nematode eggs in sheep faeces. J Counc Sci Ind Res 1939; 12: 50-52
- 18 Ueno H, Gonçalves PC. Manual para diagnóstico das helmintoses de ruminantes. Japan International Cooperation Agency; 1998: 14-45
- 19 Roberts FHS, O'Sullivan PJ. Methods for egg counts and larval cultures for strongyles ingesting the gastrointestinal tract of cattle. Aust J Agric Res 1950; 1: 99-102
- 20 Coles GC, Bauer C, Borgsteede FH. , et al. World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) methods for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of veterinary importance. Vet Parasitol 1992; 44: 35-44
- 21 Bizimenyera ES, Githiori JB, Eloff JN, Swan GE. In vitro activity of Peltophorum africanum Sond. (Fabaceae) extracts on the egg hatching and larval development of the parasitic nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis . Vet Parasitol 2006; 142: 336-343
- 22 Schalm OW, Carrol EJ. Veterinary Hematology. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1986
- 23 Wursthorn L, Martin P. Reso: faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) analysis program. 2.01. Parkville: CSIRO Animal Health Research Laboratory; 1990
- 24 Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th ed. New York: Academic Press; 1997
- 25 David CM, Costa RL, Parren GA. , et al. Sugarcane and mulberry silage supplementation of sheep during the peripartum period. Trop Anim Health Prod 2015; 47: 765-772
- 26 Kerr MG. Exames laboratoriais em medicina veterinária, bioquímica clínica e hematologia. 2nd ed. São Paulo: Roca; 2003: 425
- 27 Feldman BF. Schalm's Veterinary Hematology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkins; 2000
- 28 Dennis VA, Klei TR, Chapman MR, Jeffers GW. In vivo activation of equine eosinophils and neutrophils by experimental Strongylus vulgaris infections. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1988; 20: 61-74
- 29 de Veer MJ, Kemp JM, Meeusen EN. The innate host defence against nematode parasites. Parasite Immunol 2007; 29: 1-9
- 30 Madruga CR, Araújo FR, Soares CO. Imunodiagnóstico em Medicina Veterinária. Campo Grande: Embrapa Gado de Corte; 2000: 360
- 31 Neves MRM, Vieira L, Andrioli A. Controle do parasitismo em cabras leiteiras criadas a pasto. Sobral, CE: Embrapa; 2008
- 32 Veríssimo CJ, Niciura SC, Alberti AL. , et al. Multidrug and multispecies resistance in sheep flocks from São Paulo state, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2012; 187: 209-216
- 33 Afonso VAC, Costa RLD, Soares Filho CV, Cunha EA, Perri SHV, Bonello FL. Supplementation with protected fat to manage gastro-intestinal nematode infections in Santa Inês sheep. Semina: Ciênc Agrár 2013; 34: 1227-1238