Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Australia

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) can cause significant economic losses in alpacas due to lowered production of fibre and meat. Although no anthelmintics are registered for use in alpacas, various classes of anthelmintics are frequently used to control parasitic gastroenteritis in alpacas in Australia and other countries. Very little is known about the current worm control practices as well as the efficacy of anthelmintics used against common GINs of alpacas. This study aimed to assess the existing worm control practices used by Australian alpaca farmers and to quantify the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics against GINs of alpacas.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted to assess current worm control practices on 97 Australian alpaca farms, with an emphasis on the use of anthelmintics. Of this group of 97 alpaca farms, 20 were selected to assess the efficacy of eight anthelmintics and/or their combinations (closantel, fenbendazole ivermectin, monepantel, moxidectin and a combination of levamisole, closantel, albendazole, abamectin) using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). A multiplexed-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) was used to identify the prevalent nematode genera/species.

Results: The response rate for the questionnaire was 94% (91/97). Almost half of the respondents kept alpacas with sheep and cattle, and 26% of respondents allowed alpacas to co-graze with these ruminants. Although only 63% respondents perceived worms to be an important health concern for alpacas, the majority of respondents (89%) used anthelmintics to control GINs of alpacas. The commonly used anthelmintics were macrocyclic lactones, monepantel, benzimidazoles, levamisole, closantel and their combinations, and they were typically administered at the dose rate recommended for sheep. The FECRT results showed that a combination of levamisole, closantel, albendazole and abamectin was the most effective dewormer followed by single drugs, including monepantel, moxidectin, closantel, fenbendazole and ivermectin. Haemonchus spp. were the most commonly resistant nematodes followed by Trichostrongylus spp., Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia spp.

Conclusions: This is the first study aimed at assessing worm control practices and efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics in alpacas in Australia. Our findings document the extent of anthelmintics resistance on Australian alpaca farms and identify those anthelmintics that are still effective against GINs of alpacas.

Keywords: Alpacas; Anthelmintic; Australia; Nematodes; Resistance.

Fig. 1

Map of Australia showing the locations of alpaca farms enrolled in the faecal egg count reduction trials in this study. Each circle represents one alpaca farm

Fig. 2

Overall efficacy of six anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes of alpacas on 20 farms in Australia. Each circle shows percentage of the faecal egg count reduction while each horizontal line shows upper and lower 95% confidence intervals. Abbreviations: CLO, closantel; CYD, cydectin; IVM, ivermectin; FBZ, fenbendazole; QDR, Q-drench (a combination of abamectin, albendazole, closantel and levamisole); MON, monepantel

Fig. 3

The proportion of farms with resistance, suspected resistance and susceptibility of gastrointestinal nematodes of alpacas to six anthelmintics on 20 farms in Australia. Abbreviations: CLO, closantel; CYD, cydectin; IVM, ivermectin; FBZ, fenbendazole; QDR, Q-drench (a combination of abamectin, albendazole, closantel and levamisole); MON, monepantel

Fig. 4

Gastrointestinal nematodes found in faeces of alpacas pre- and post-treatment with six anthelmintics on alpaca farms in Australia. The nematodes were identified using the multiplexed-tandem PCR. Abbreviations: CLO, closantel; CON, negative control; CYD, cydectin; IVM, ivermectin; FBZ, fenbendazole; QDR, Q-drench (a combination of abamectin, albendazole, closantel and levamisole); MON, monepantel

Fig. 5

Percentage of resistant gastrointestinal nematodes against commonly used anthelmintics on 20 alpaca farms in Australia