Comparative Efficacy of Six Anthelmintic Treatments
against Natural Infection of Fasciola Species in Sheep
Muhammad Nisar Khan*1, Muhammad Sohail
Sajid1, Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan1, Abdul Qudoos1,
Rao Zahid Abbas1, Muhammad Riaz2 and Muhammad
Kasib Khan1
1Department
of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan;
2Department of Livestock Management, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan *Corresponding author: khanuaf@yahoo.com
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the
flukicidal effect of various anthelmintics against naturally occurring infection
of Fasciola, in sheep. Fasciola positive female (n=175) of Kajli breed at
Livestock Experiment Station, Khizerabad, district Sargodha were randomly
assigned to seven groups, including an untreated control group that received
normal saline as placebo. The six groups were treated with four anthelmintics
alone and in combination. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was
performed to determine the chemotherapeutic efficacy of anthelmintics. The FECRT for the candidate anthelmintics showed
significant (P<0.05) reduction in eggs per gram of faeces of treated groups
compared to untreated control group. The highest efficacy was found of a
combination therapy of oxyclozanide and oxfendazole (97.50%) treated group;
whereas, levamisoletreated group showed lowest
efficiency (65.67%). Time dependent response of each treatment was
determined on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
days post treatment. In groups treated with combination of drugs, 28th
day while, in groups treated with single drug 21st day was found the
most efficacious time dependent response against natural Fasciola infection. It
can be concluded that combination of oxyclozanide and
oxfendazole holds potential as part of an integrated
management plan for the control of Fasciola in Pakistan.