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Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle in Brazil and Argentina - current status and global perspectives

Resistência anti-helmíntica em nematódeos gastrintestinais de bovinos no Brasil e Argentina - situação atual e perspectivas globais

Abstract

This review outlines the current state of anthelmintic resistance (AHR) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) among cattle in Argentina and Brazil, emphasizing the economic repercussions, animal health and welfare. The analysis explores factors associated with AHR and proposes a potential solution: the use of drug combinations. Both countries are grappling with a severe AHR scenario in cattle, having progressed through incipient, established, and advanced phases, leading to extreme cases of animal mortality due to ineffective control strategies. Genera such as Cooperia and Haemonchus have the highest reports of resistance, with Oesophagostomum radiatum also posing significant problems. While oral benzimidazoles and levamisole remain effective in most herds, moxidectin is entering an advanced resistance phase, and avermectins are increasingly deemed ineffective. The review explores the impact ofclimate, mixed grazing, animal movement and other husbandry practices, and the relationship between ectoparasite control and the emergence of resistant helminths. Notably, the discussion includes the strategic use of drug combinations as a valuable approach to address resistant GINs control in livestock, highlighting its significant potential to mitigate the challenges posed by AHR in the cattle industry of these countries.

Keywords:
Cooperia; Haemonchus; livestock management; drug combinations; cattle health

Resumo

Esta revisão tem como objetivo delinear o estado atual da resistência anti-helmíntica (RAH) em nematódeos gastrintestinais (NGIs), em bovinos na Argentina e no Brasil, enfatizando o impacto econômico na saúde e no bem-estar animal. A análise explora fatores associados à RAH e propõe uma solução potencial: o uso de combinações de medicamentos. Ambos os países enfrentam um cenário grave de AHR, progredindo por meio de fases incipientes, estabelecidas e avançadas, levando a casos extremos de mortalidade animal, devido a estratégias de controle ineficazes. Os gêneros Cooperia e Haemonchus apresentam mais relatos de resistência, enquanto Oesophagostomum radiatum também pode causar problemas significativos. Embora os benzimidazóis orais e o levamisol permaneçam eficazes na maioria dos rebanhos, a moxidectina está entrando em uma fase avançada de resistência, e as avermectinas são cada vez mais consideradas ineficazes. A revisão explora o impacto do clima, pastoreio misto, movimentação dos animais, práticas de criação e a relação entre o controle dos ectoparasitas e o surgimento de helmintos resistentes. Notavelmente, o uso estratégico de combinações de medicamentos pode ser uma abordagem valiosa para o controle de NGIs resistentes em bovinos, destacando-se o seu potencial significativo na mitigação dos desafios colocados pela RAH naqueles países.

Palavras-chave:
Cooperia; Haemonchus; manejo na pecuária; combinação de drogas; saúde de bovinos

Introduction

Investigation of the evolution of anthelmintic resistance (AHR) and the factors related to it in Argentina and Brazil can contribute to knowledge about this serious problem that is already widespread globally in cattle. Together, the two countries account for 63% of the territory, 60% of the population and 62% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of South America, and their integration would give them the sixth largest economy in the world. Although there are some striking differences in cattle farming between these two countries, some common characteristics make it interesting to know their AHR scenario: both countries have been involved in the first reports of AHR in cattle; most publications reveal the predominance of the genera Cooperia and Haemonchus in field infections; and while a large number of commercial anthelmintic formulations are available, preference is given to the use of injectable endectocides; and past treatment has generally been with a single drug (avermectin). Furthermore, in both countries, cattle farming is a major contributor to GDP and extensive grazing is an important stage of the production system (virtually the only one in Brazil) (Malafaia et al., 2021Malafaia GC, Contini E, Dias FRT, Gomes RC, Moraes AEL. Cadeia produtiva da carne bovina: contexto e desafios futuros. Campo Grande: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária; 2021.).

Therefore, livestock farmers in both countries face similar challenges in implementing strategic gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) control programs and performing routine diagnostic exams. The presence of large herds (>10,000 animals/farm) also limits the use of refugia-based strategies. For this reason, we highlight drug combination as a possibility to manage AHR.

The AHR Scenario in Brazil and Argentina

Chronology

The evolution of AHR of GINs in cattle in Brazil and Argentina (Chart 1) can be summarized in three phases: 1) the first reports, with the majority of cases pertaining to Cooperia spp. resistant to ivermectin (IVM); 2) emergence and generalization of populations resistant to multiple drugs and participation of Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus in cattle after treatments, identified by necropsies or coprocultures (more details and references are presented in Chart 1), period marked by lack of perception of the problem by technicians and farmers, resulting in lower animal performance; and 3) large field surveys indicating a greater number of farms with AHR and lower average efficacy of products, which, combined with other farming factors resulted in a resurgence of outbreaks, with calves exhibiting diarrhea, apathy, bottle jaw, weight loss and death (Carmo et al., 2011Carmo PMS, Vargas AC, Rissi DR, Oliveira-Filho JC, Pierezan F, Lucena RB, et al. Surto de ceratoconjuntivite infecciosa bovina e hemoncose causando mortalidade em bezerros. Pesq Vet Bras 2011; 31(5): 374-378. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2011000500002.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2011000...
; Pivoto et al., 2020bPivoto FL, Cezar AS, Vogel FSF, Leal MLR. Effects of long-term indiscriminate use of macrocyclic lactones in cattle: parasite resistance, clinical helminthosis, and production losses. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2020b; 20: 100381. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100381. PMid:32448543.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.1003...
; Lima et al., 2022Lima SC, Borges DGL, Pupin RC, Guizelini CC, Paula JPL, Borges FA, et al. Mortality caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle submitted to an inadequate sanitary protocol. Pesq Vet Bras 2022; 42: e07030. http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7030.
http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-703...
).

Chart 1
Reports of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Argentina (AR) and Brazil (BR).

Currently, the AHR scenario in Brazil and Argentina can be considered one of the most serious in the world. Since in 2020 in Europe, including UK, Italy and France, the countries with the highest number of reports, had six scientific publications (Vineer et al., 2020Vineer HR, Morgan ER, Hertzberg H, Bartley DJ, Bosco A, Charlier J, et al. Increasing importance of anthelmintic resistance in European livestock: creation and meta-analysis of an open database. Parasite 2020; 27: 69. http://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2020062. PMid:33277891.
http://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2020062...
), while in Brazil and Argentina there are 33 and 11, respectively (Figure 1), in addition to cases of multi drug resistance and multiple species (Chart 1). Indeed, there are now no longer any reports of farms without GINs resistant to at least one drug in these two countries.

Figure 1
Number of reports of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle according to location in Argentina (provinces) and Brazil (states).

AHR severity in Argentina and Brazil

Based on the results of fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) and controlled anthelmintic tests carried out in both countries (Chart 1), the GIN resistance scenario in cattle to different drugs can classified as avermectins in a serious situation, moxidectin (MOX) and subcutaneous benzimidazoles (BZDs) in an alert situation, and oral BZDs and levamisole (LEV) still effective.

AVMs

Since the first reports in 2001 (Anziani et al., 2001Anziani OS, Zimmermann G, Guglielmone AA, Vazquez R, Suarez V. Avermectin resistance in Cooperia pectinata in cattle in Argentina. Vet Rec 2001; 149(2): 58-59. http://doi.org/10.1136/vr.149.2.58. PMid:11488345.
http://doi.org/10.1136/vr.149.2.58...
; Fiel et al., 2001Fiel CA, Saumell CA, Steffan PE, Rodriguez EM. Resistance of Cooperia to ivermectin treatments in grazing cattle of the Humid Pampa, Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2001; 97(3): 211-217. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00407-1. PMid:11390073.
http://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)004...
; Paiva et al., 2001Paiva F, Sato MO, Acuna AH, Jensen JR, Bressan MCRV. Resistência a ivermectina constatada em Haemonchus placei e Cooperia punctata em bovinos. Hora Vet 2001; 20: 29-32.), the resistance of Cooperia spp., and to a lesser extent other genera, to IVM has been demonstrated in tests on just one farm or in large surveys (Chart 1), ranging from 60% to 100% of farms (Soutello et al., 2007Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
; Suarez & Cristel, 2007Suarez VH, Cristel SL. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematode in the western Pampeana Region of Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2007; 144(1-2): 111-117. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.09.016. PMid:17049746.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.09....
; Souza et al., 2008Souza AP, Ramos CI, Bellato V, Sartor AP, Schelbauer CA. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense. Cienc Rural 2008; 38(5): 1363-1367. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000500026.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000...
; Almeida et al., 2013Almeida GD, Feliz DC, Heckler RP, Borges DG, Onizuka MKV, Tavares LER, et al. Ivermectin and moxidectin resistance characterization by larval migration inhibition test in field isolates of Cooperia spp. in beef cattle, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2013; 191(1-2): 59-65. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08.012. PMid:22963710.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08....
; Felippelli et al., 2014Felippelli G, Lopes WDZ, Cruz BC, Teixeira WFP, Maciel WG, Fávero FC, et al. Nematode resistance to ivermectin (630 and 700μg/kg) in cattle from the Southeast and South of Brazil. Parasitol Int 2014; 63(6): 835-840. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2014.08.001. PMid:25130588.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2014.08....
; Neves et al., 2014Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
; Ramos et al., 2016Ramos F, Portella LP, Rodrigues FS, Reginato CZ, Pötter L, Cezar AS. Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of beef cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6(1): 93-101. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02.002. PMid:27054068.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02....
). Currently, these percentages on farms in both countries are very high, with 93.5% in Argentina (Cristel et al., 2017Cristel S, Fiel C, Anziani O, Descarga C, Cetrá B, Romero J, et al. Anthelmintic resistance in grazing beef cattle in central and northeastern areas of Argentina: an update. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2017; 9: 25-28. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.003. PMid:31014837.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.0...
) and 95% in Brazil (Melo et al., 2021Melo LRB, Sousa LC, Menezes Oliveira CS, Alvares FBV, Ferreira LC, Bezerra RA, et al. Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2021; 30(3): e010921. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077. PMid:34550213.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077...
).

There are differences in potency between LMs against resistant and susceptible isolates, with MOX and abamectin (ABA) being the most potent, while eprinomectin, doramectin (DRM) and IVM are the least potent (Kotze et al., 2014Kotze AC, Ruffell AP, Knox MR, Kelly GA. Relative potency of macrocyclic lactones in in vitro assays with larvae of susceptible and drug-resistant Australian isolates of Haemonchus contortus and H. placei. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203(3-4): 294-302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04.005. PMid:24813746.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04....
). This characteristic can explain the generalized resistance to DRM (Chart 1) and some situations in which abamectin (ABA) was effective against some IVM-resistant populations (Rangel et al., 2005Rangel VB, Leite RC, Oliveira PR, Santos EJ Jr. Resistência de Cooperia spp. e Haemonchus spp. às avermectinas em bovinos de corte. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 2005; 57(2): 186-190. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000200008.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000...
; Bruhn et al., 2013Bruhn FRP, Lopes MA, Perazza CA, Demeu FA, Santos G, Franco A No, et al. Eficiência técnica e econômica da aplicação de diferentes anti-helmínticos em fêmeas da raça holandesa na fase de recria durante o outono-inverno de 2009. Acta Tecnol 2013; 7(2): 25-30. http://doi.org/10.35818/acta.v7i2.138.
http://doi.org/10.35818/acta.v7i2.138...
). However, in the same period, Cezar et al. (2010)Cezar AS, Vogel FSF, Sangioni LA, Antonello AM, Camillo G, Toscan G, et al. Ação anti-helmíntica de diferentes formulações de lactonas macrocíclicas em cepas resistentes de nematódeos de bovinos. Pesq Vet Bras 2010; 30(7): 523-528. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000700002.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000...
did not observe efficacy of ABA against a multi-resistant isolate. Since this drug has not been included in efficacy studies, the current resistance status is unknown.

MOX and subcutaneous BZDs

Although they belong to the group of macrocyclic lactones, differences in the chemical structure between AVM and MOX molecules result in different phenotypic responses of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the interaction with Glutamate-gated chloride channels, a site of action of these drugs (Ardelli et al., 2009Ardelli BF, Stitt LE, Tompkins JB, Prichard RK. A comparison of the effects of ivermectin and moxidectin on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Vet Parasitol 2009; 165(1-2): 96-108. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06.043. PMid:19631471.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06....
) and with different levels of gene expression and affinity of the various P-glycoproteins, involved in one of the possible mechanisms of resistance to MLs (Xu et al., 1998Xu M, Molento M, Blackhall WJ, Ribeiro P, Beech R, Prichard RK. Ivermectin resistance in nematodes may be caused by alteration of P-glycoprotein homolog. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1998; 91(2): 327-335. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-6851(97)00215-6. PMid:9566525.
http://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-6851(97)002...
; Lespine et al., 2007Lespine A, Martin S, Dupuy J, Roulet A, Pineau T, Orlowski S, et al. Interaction of macrocyclic lactones with p-glycoprotein: structure-affinity relationship. Eur J Pharm Sci 2007; 30(1): 84-94. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2006.10.004. PMid:17134887.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2006.10.00...
), resulting in greater MOX potency (Kotze et al., 2014Kotze AC, Ruffell AP, Knox MR, Kelly GA. Relative potency of macrocyclic lactones in in vitro assays with larvae of susceptible and drug-resistant Australian isolates of Haemonchus contortus and H. placei. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203(3-4): 294-302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04.005. PMid:24813746.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04....
). Therefore, moxidectin may still effective (>95%) against IVM-resistant populations, as observed in seven studies carried out in Argentina and Brazil (Fiel et al., 2001Fiel CA, Saumell CA, Steffan PE, Rodriguez EM. Resistance of Cooperia to ivermectin treatments in grazing cattle of the Humid Pampa, Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2001; 97(3): 211-217. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00407-1. PMid:11390073.
http://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)004...
; Rangel et al., 2005Rangel VB, Leite RC, Oliveira PR, Santos EJ Jr. Resistência de Cooperia spp. e Haemonchus spp. às avermectinas em bovinos de corte. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 2005; 57(2): 186-190. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000200008.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000...
; Soutello et al., 2007Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
; Cezar et al., 2010Cezar AS, Vogel FSF, Sangioni LA, Antonello AM, Camillo G, Toscan G, et al. Ação anti-helmíntica de diferentes formulações de lactonas macrocíclicas em cepas resistentes de nematódeos de bovinos. Pesq Vet Bras 2010; 30(7): 523-528. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000700002.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000...
; Almeida et al., 2013Almeida GD, Feliz DC, Heckler RP, Borges DG, Onizuka MKV, Tavares LER, et al. Ivermectin and moxidectin resistance characterization by larval migration inhibition test in field isolates of Cooperia spp. in beef cattle, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2013; 191(1-2): 59-65. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08.012. PMid:22963710.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08....
; Neves et al., 2014Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
, Lopes et al., 2014bLopes WDZ, Teixeira WFP, Felippelli G, Cruz BC, Maciel WG, Soares VE, et al. Assessing resistance of ivermectin and moxidectin against nematodes in cattle naturally infected using three different methodologies. Res Vet Sci 2014b; 96(1): 133-138. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.11.001. PMid:24290235.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.11.00...
).

Although there are reports of populations of GINs resistant to MOX (Chart 1), the level of resistance is within an efficacy range between 70 and 95%, which can still result in significant improvement in the productive performance of cattle (Borges et al., 2013Borges FA, Almeida GD, Heckler RP, Lemes RT, Onizuka MKV, Borges DGL. Anthelmintic resistance impact on tropical beef cattle productivity: effect on weight gain of weaned calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013; 45(3): 723-727. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4. PMid:23076819.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4...
). This effect was observed in calves in a feedlot in Argentina, where the efficacy of IVM was 28% and that of MOX was 85%, and there was an additional weight gain of 160g/day in calves treated with MOX compared to IVM (Fazzio et al., 2014Fazzio LE, Sánchez RO, Streitenberger N, Galvan WR, Giudici CJ, Gimeno EJ. The effect of anthelmintic resistance on the productivity in feedlot cattle. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 240-245. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.010. PMid:25468022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
). A similar result was observed for beef cattle raised in pasture in Brazil (Borges et al., 2022Borges DGL, Conde MH, Cunha CCT, Freitas MG, Moro E, Borges FA. Moxidectin: a viable alternative for the control of ivermectin-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle. Acta Vet 2022; 72(1): 16-29. http://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2022-0002.
http://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2022-0002...
). Despite the possibility of better performance of animals treated with anthelmintics with efficacy below 95%, it is necessary to consider the risk of accelerating the selection process of resistant GINs if they continue to be used (Barnes et al., 1995Barnes EH, Dobson RJ, Barger IA. Worm control and anthelmintic resistance: adventures with a model. Parasitol Today 1995; 11(2): 56-63. http://doi.org/10.1016/0169-4758(95)80117-0. PMid:15275374.
http://doi.org/10.1016/0169-4758(95)8011...
).

Injectable benzimidazoles also have a resistance profile that can be considered intermediate. Despite several reports of GINs resistant to this drug, there are still IVM-resistant populations that are susceptible to albendazole (ABZ) sulfoxide (Soutello et al., 2007Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
; Cezar et al., 2010Cezar AS, Vogel FSF, Sangioni LA, Antonello AM, Camillo G, Toscan G, et al. Ação anti-helmíntica de diferentes formulações de lactonas macrocíclicas em cepas resistentes de nematódeos de bovinos. Pesq Vet Bras 2010; 30(7): 523-528. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000700002.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2010000...
; Bruhn et al., 2013Bruhn FRP, Lopes MA, Perazza CA, Demeu FA, Santos G, Franco A No, et al. Eficiência técnica e econômica da aplicação de diferentes anti-helmínticos em fêmeas da raça holandesa na fase de recria durante o outono-inverno de 2009. Acta Tecnol 2013; 7(2): 25-30. http://doi.org/10.35818/acta.v7i2.138.
http://doi.org/10.35818/acta.v7i2.138...
; Pivoto et al., 2020bPivoto FL, Cezar AS, Vogel FSF, Leal MLR. Effects of long-term indiscriminate use of macrocyclic lactones in cattle: parasite resistance, clinical helminthosis, and production losses. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2020b; 20: 100381. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100381. PMid:32448543.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.1003...
; Neves et al., 2020Neves JH, Carvalho N, Amarante AFT. Gastrointestinal nematode infections do not hinder the development of Simmental × Nellore crossbred calves raised with a nutritionally enhanced diet. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2020; 29(1): e015819. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006. PMid:32236331.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006...
). There are some reports in which the resistance to injectable BZDs is as serious as that of IVM, such as in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, where 95% of farms had GINs resistant to both drugs (Neves et al., 2021Neves JH, Carvalho N, Santos NC, Ratti J Jr, Martins CL, Amarante AFT. Effect of antihelminths with contrasting efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes on the live-weight gain of young Nellore cattle. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2021; 25: 100597. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100597. PMid:34474790.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.1005...
). On the other hand, some studies have shown lower occurrence of resistance to ABZ (7.8 to 27.9% of farms) than to IVM (93.5% to 100% of farms) (Souza et al., 2008Souza AP, Ramos CI, Bellato V, Sartor AP, Schelbauer CA. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense. Cienc Rural 2008; 38(5): 1363-1367. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000500026.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000...
; Neves et al., 2014Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
; Cristel et al., 2017Cristel S, Fiel C, Anziani O, Descarga C, Cetrá B, Romero J, et al. Anthelmintic resistance in grazing beef cattle in central and northeastern areas of Argentina: an update. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2017; 9: 25-28. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.003. PMid:31014837.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.0...
).

LEV and oral BZDs

If there is a need to recommend the treatment of cattle with an anthelmintic without knowledge of the history of treatments or results of efficacy tests, the drugs of choice would be LEV or oral BZDs, since there are few reports of resistance to them, even in multi-drug resistant GIN populations (see Chart 1).

The low level of resistance to benzimidazoles in cattle in Brazil was confirmed by a broad search for three benzimidazole resistance-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the β-tubulin gene in samples of Haemonchus spp. In all Brazilian geographic regions, in which frequencies of resistance-associated alleles above background (≥ 15%) were found for at least one codon in 11.4% of the fields (Fávero et al., 2020Fávero FC, Dos Santos LB, Araújo FR, Ramünke S, Krücken J, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, et al. Haemonchus sp. in beef cattle in Brazil: species composition and frequency of benzimidazole resistance alleles. Prev Vet Med 2020; 185: 105162. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105162. PMid:33099153.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020....
).

Consequences of AHR on Health and Productivity

Based on the increase of helminth populations resistant to chemical products, the emergence of health and production problems in cattle is increasingly problematic. In the best-case scenario, while Cooperia spp. prevail in small intestine (SI), the animals have reduced genetic potential, mainly affecting the productivity of the herd. In a study in Argentina conducted by Fazzio et al. (2014)Fazzio LE, Sánchez RO, Streitenberger N, Galvan WR, Giudici CJ, Gimeno EJ. The effect of anthelmintic resistance on the productivity in feedlot cattle. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 240-245. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.010. PMid:25468022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
, the authors showed that the failure of anthelmintic treatment, especially due to the ineffectiveness of the formulation used, can cause the loss of up to 10 kg per animal. And in a study in Brazil conducted by Borges et al. (2013)Borges FA, Almeida GD, Heckler RP, Lemes RT, Onizuka MKV, Borges DGL. Anthelmintic resistance impact on tropical beef cattle productivity: effect on weight gain of weaned calves. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013; 45(3): 723-727. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4. PMid:23076819.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0280-4...
, the authors observed that the use of anthelmintic formulations with efficacies ≤ 50% (3.15% IVM, 3.5% DRM and 1% DRM) did not increase performance. An increase in the productivity of cattle treated with anthelmintics tends to occur when the formulations demonstrate efficacy against helminths of ≥85% (Borges et al., 2015Borges FA, Borges DGL, Heckler RP, Neves JPL, Lopes FG, Onizuka MKV. Multispecies resistance of cattle gastrointestinal nematodes to long-acting avermectin formulations in Mato Grosso do Sul. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212(3-4): 299-302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06.015. PMid:26129974.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06....
). Similar results were found in New Zealand, where the ineffective control of resistant Cooperia oncophora resulted in a 14-kg difference in live weight gain in beef calves at 12 months of age (Sutherland & Leathwick, 2011Sutherland IA, Leathwick DM. Anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of cattle: a global issue? Trends Parasitol 2011; 27(4): 176-181. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2010.11.008. PMid:21168366.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2010.11.008...
), and in the U.S.A. (Stromberg et al., 2012Stromberg BE, Gasbarre LC, Waite A, Bechtol DT, Brown MS, Robinson NA, et al. Cooperia punctata: effect on cattle productivity? Vet Parasitol 2012; 183(3-4): 284-291. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07.030. PMid:21821358.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07....
) C. punctata caused a deleterious effect on dry feed uptake (0.68 kg/day) and weight gain (0.11 kg/day) in a period of 60 days in beef cattle.

In the field, the health and productive damage triggered by the greater abundance of Cooperia spp. can be mitigated, even in conditions where resistance occurs, as long as animals are supplemented with protein, as observed by Neves et al. (2020)Neves JH, Carvalho N, Amarante AFT. Gastrointestinal nematode infections do not hinder the development of Simmental × Nellore crossbred calves raised with a nutritionally enhanced diet. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2020; 29(1): e015819. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006. PMid:32236331.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006...
with untreated animals (weaned male crossbreeds) obtaining similar weight gain to a group treated monthly with IVER (classified as ineffective) and a group of animals treated monthly with ABZ (classified as effective). In a study conducted by Zapa et al. (2021)Zapa DMB, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Cavalcante ASA, Nicaretta JE, Cruvinel LB, et al. Association between fecal egg count and weight gain in young beef cattle. Livest Sci 2021; 244: 104335. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104335.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104...
with weaned Nelore females, not treated with anthelmintics and supplemented with protein, the authors observed that animals with FEC of 0 gained 0.51 kg/day; females with FEC between 300-487.5 gained 0.70 kg/day; and females with FEC between 500 and 1700 gained 0.99 kg/day. One hypothesis to explain these results is the fact that the genetically most productive animals are also the most susceptible to GIN infection. Hence, when the most susceptible animals are supplemented with protein, part of the protein is used to combat helminths, and another for the animal to reach its genetic productivity potential, thus presenting better weight gain compared to animals more resistant to GIN infection (Neves et al., 2020Neves JH, Carvalho N, Amarante AFT. Gastrointestinal nematode infections do not hinder the development of Simmental × Nellore crossbred calves raised with a nutritionally enhanced diet. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2020; 29(1): e015819. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006. PMid:32236331.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020006...
; Zapa et al., 2021Zapa DMB, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Cavalcante ASA, Nicaretta JE, Cruvinel LB, et al. Association between fecal egg count and weight gain in young beef cattle. Livest Sci 2021; 244: 104335. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104335.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104...
).

In more serious situations, in the face of a more advanced AHR selection, there may be a change in the proportion of SI and abomasum (AB) nematodes, with AB parasites becoming prevalent in cattle (Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus), including in adult animals. This scenario represents a threat for cattle production, since in addition to the drop in productivity, there can be deaths of cattle triggered by these species of GINs (Lima et al., 2022Lima SC, Borges DGL, Pupin RC, Guizelini CC, Paula JPL, Borges FA, et al. Mortality caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle submitted to an inadequate sanitary protocol. Pesq Vet Bras 2022; 42: e07030. http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7030.
http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-703...
). Recent studies point out some risk factors for the resurgence of clinical cases and even mortality due to GIN infection: (i) flaws in the parasite control protocol, with the use of ineffective products (Lima et al., 2022Lima SC, Borges DGL, Pupin RC, Guizelini CC, Paula JPL, Borges FA, et al. Mortality caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle submitted to an inadequate sanitary protocol. Pesq Vet Bras 2022; 42: e07030. http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7030.
http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-703...
); (ii) prolonged periods without anthelmintic treatment of animals (Teixeira et al., 2021Teixeira WFP, Gomes LVC, Felippelli G, Buzzulini C, Zapa DMB, Cavalcante ASA, et al. Investigation of fecal egg counts versus worm burden and helminth fauna in cattle treated or not with macrocyclic lactones in a tropical region. Vet Parasitol 2021; 300: 109618. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109618. PMid:34808589.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109...
; Trindade et al., 2023Trindade ASN, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Zapa DMB, de Aquino LM, Ferreira LL, et al. Cattle tick and gastrointestinal nematodes strategic control in dairy 31/32 Gyr × Holstein and beef 1/2 Brangus: is the same way? Livest Sci 2023; 268: 105154. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105154.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105...
); and (iii) climatic factors that can trigger a shortage of pasture and affect the immunological response of animals during this period (Lima et al., 2022Lima SC, Borges DGL, Pupin RC, Guizelini CC, Paula JPL, Borges FA, et al. Mortality caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle submitted to an inadequate sanitary protocol. Pesq Vet Bras 2022; 42: e07030. http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7030.
http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-703...
). They also found that failure of the parasite control protocol, by using ineffective products, was responsible for the mortality of cattle, including adult cows, due to high parasitism by Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. Other studies have demonstrated that 120 to 180 days without the use of anthelmintics caused the proportion of Haemonchus spp. to increase in AB, and consequently the proportion of Cooperia spp. to decrease in SI (Teixeira et al., 2021Teixeira WFP, Gomes LVC, Felippelli G, Buzzulini C, Zapa DMB, Cavalcante ASA, et al. Investigation of fecal egg counts versus worm burden and helminth fauna in cattle treated or not with macrocyclic lactones in a tropical region. Vet Parasitol 2021; 300: 109618. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109618. PMid:34808589.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109...
; Trindade et al., 2023Trindade ASN, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Zapa DMB, de Aquino LM, Ferreira LL, et al. Cattle tick and gastrointestinal nematodes strategic control in dairy 31/32 Gyr × Holstein and beef 1/2 Brangus: is the same way? Livest Sci 2023; 268: 105154. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105154.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105...
). In this way, it is possible for animals to show clinical signs such as submandibular edema, weight loss and mortality (Lima et al., 2022Lima SC, Borges DGL, Pupin RC, Guizelini CC, Paula JPL, Borges FA, et al. Mortality caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle submitted to an inadequate sanitary protocol. Pesq Vet Bras 2022; 42: e07030. http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7030.
http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-703...
). In other words, the presence of clinical signs of GIN infection caused by AB nematodes in cattle tends to occur later, which can probably lead to the death of the animal if no effective therapeutic intervention occurs. In such situations, there will be health and productive damage to the herd, with possible death of animals. This situation raised an alert for technicians and veterinarians to pay attention to this resistance theme, with the aim of reducing health problems and production losses triggered by cattle helminths.

Anthelmintic Use and Risk Factors for Resistance of Different Nematode Species

Influence of climate on AHR development

The climate has a major influence on the distribution of different nematode species. Haemonchus placei, Cooperia punctata and Oesophagostomum radiatum are widespread in Tropical and Subtropical areas of Brazil and Argentina, where they are the leading cause of economic losses to cattle farmers. These are also the major species implicated in cases of AHR in those areas (Lopes et al., 2014aLopes WDZ, Felippelli G, Teixeira WFP, Cruz BC, Maciel WG, Buzzulini C, et al. Resistência de Haemonchus placei, Cooperia punctata e Oesophagostomum radiatum à ivermectina pour-on a 500mcgkg-1 em rebanhos bovinos no Brasil. Cienc Rural 2014a; 44(5): 847-853. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782014000500014.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782014000...
; Neves et al., 2014Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
; Borges et al., 2015Borges FA, Borges DGL, Heckler RP, Neves JPL, Lopes FG, Onizuka MKV. Multispecies resistance of cattle gastrointestinal nematodes to long-acting avermectin formulations in Mato Grosso do Sul. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212(3-4): 299-302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06.015. PMid:26129974.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06....
). In addition, there are also reports of Cooperia pectinata, Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp. with AHR in cattle (Souza et al., 2008Souza AP, Ramos CI, Bellato V, Sartor AP, Schelbauer CA. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense. Cienc Rural 2008; 38(5): 1363-1367. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000500026.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000...
; Condi et al. 2009Condi GK, Soutello RGV, Amarante AFT. Moxidectin-resistant nematodes in cattle in Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2009; 161(3-4): 213-217. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.01.031. PMid:19251366.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.01....
; Felippelli et al., 2014Felippelli G, Lopes WDZ, Cruz BC, Teixeira WFP, Maciel WG, Fávero FC, et al. Nematode resistance to ivermectin (630 and 700μg/kg) in cattle from the Southeast and South of Brazil. Parasitol Int 2014; 63(6): 835-840. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2014.08.001. PMid:25130588.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2014.08....
).

In the Santa Catarina Plateau, which is one of the regions with the lowest average temperature in Brazil, the presence of Ostertagia with resistance to LEV in cattle has also been recorded (Souza et al., 2008Souza AP, Ramos CI, Bellato V, Sartor AP, Schelbauer CA. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense. Cienc Rural 2008; 38(5): 1363-1367. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000500026.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000...
). Likewise, in the western Pampeana Region of Argentina, there are reports of AHR involving O. ostertagi and C. oncophora (Suarez & Cristel, 2007Suarez VH, Cristel SL. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematode in the western Pampeana Region of Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2007; 144(1-2): 111-117. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.09.016. PMid:17049746.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.09....
). However, in some areas in Argentina and southern Brazil, with high temperatures in summer and cold in winter, there is coexistence of species typical of tropical climates with those typical of temperate climates, with reports of the presence of a great diversity of species with AHR at the same site. In Argentina, Mejía et al. (2003)Mejía ME, Fernández Igartúa BM, Schmidt EE, Cabaret J. Multispecies and multiple anthelmintic resistance on cattle nematodes in a farm in Argentina: the beginning of high resistance? Vet Res 2003; 34(4): 461-467. http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2003018. PMid:12911862.
http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2003018...
reported BZD resistance in the same herd involving H. placei, O. ostertagi, C. oncophora and C. punctata. Likewise, Anziani et al. (2004)Anziani OS, Suarez VH, Guglielmone AA, Warnke O, Grande H, Coles GC. Resistance to benzimidazole and macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics in cattle nematodes in Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2004; 122(4): 303-306. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.05.018. PMid:15262008.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.05....
recorded multiple resistance of H. placei, C. oncophora and C. pectinata to BZD and IVM.

During long periods of dry weather, most of the nematode population is found in the host. However, the application of anthelmintics during this period, when the helminth population in the environment (in refugia) is low, might favor the selection of resistant parasites. For this reason, AHR is also widespread in cattle raised in this type of environment (Melo et al., 2021Melo LRB, Sousa LC, Menezes Oliveira CS, Alvares FBV, Ferreira LC, Bezerra RA, et al. Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2021; 30(3): e010921. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077. PMid:34550213.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077...
). Likewise, the emergence of resistant parasite populations is favored when animals are treated before being introduced into “clean” pastures. In this situation, only the parasites that survived the treatment (the resistant strains), produce descendants that contaminate the new area. This problem occurred in Argentina when treated herds were transferred to clean areas, previously used for crop production (Suarez & Cristel, 2014Suarez VH, Cristel SL. Risk factors for anthelmintic resistance development in cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in Argentina. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2014; 23(2): 129-135. http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612014045. PMid:25054489.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612014045...
). The management system adopted on a cattle farm in Rio Grande do Sul, where newly treated animals were transferred to clean pastures, was also identified as the cause of the serious development of resistance to macrocyclic lactones (Mello et al., 2006Mello MHA, Depner R, Molento MB, Ferreira JJ. Resistência lateral às macrolactonas em nematodas de bovinos. Arch Vet Sci 2006; 11(1): 8-12. http://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v11i1.5628.
http://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v11i1.5628...
).

Due to differences in climatic conditions, in Argentina large regional variations are observed in the frequency of use of anthelmintics. In marginal semiarid regions, with extensive grazing systems, calves are treated only once or twice a year. In the subtropical deforested area or plains, treatments are more frequent (3 to 5 times a year) and aim to control not only endoparasites, but also ectoparasites, with the use of endectocides. In the temperate plains of the southern cone, where mixed grain and cattle production systems predominate, management is much more intensive and drugs are used more frequently, from 4 to 9 times a year (Suarez, 2002Suarez VH. Helminthic control on grazing ruminants and environmental risks in South America. Vet Res 2002; 33(5): 563-573. http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039. PMid:12387490.
http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039...
). Date of treatment and frequency of treatment in the past with a single drug (mostly IVM) are the main risk factors involved in AHR development in Argentina. High frequency of anthelmintic application as the principal risk factor; especially when associated with the autumn-winter drenching, frequently used along with Nov-Jan drenching and the approach involving treatment before shifting to annual crops. The latter two factors reduce the number of larvae in refugia and increase the selection pressure for resistant GINs (Suarez & Cristel, 2014Suarez VH, Cristel SL. Risk factors for anthelmintic resistance development in cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in Argentina. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2014; 23(2): 129-135. http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612014045. PMid:25054489.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612014045...
).

Mixed grazing of cattle and sheep

During the process of evolution, some GIN species become specialized in parasitizing a restricted zoological group of hosts, giving rise to species with high host-specificity, as is the case of Oesophagostomum spp. When cattle and sheep share pastures, Oesophagostomum cross-infection is rarely observed: O. radiatum infection is restricted to cattle and O. columbianum infection to sheep (Santiago et al., 1975Santiago MAM, Costa UC, Benevenga SF. Estudo comparativo da prevalência de helmintos em ovinos e bovinos criados na mesma pastagem. Pesq Agropec Bras 1975; 10(8): 51-56.). On the other hand, some species, such as Trichostrongylus axei, are generalists (low host-specificity), being able to infect both monogastric animals (horses) and ruminants (deer, sheep and cattle) (Santiago et al., 1975Santiago MAM, Costa UC, Benevenga SF. Estudo comparativo da prevalência de helmintos em ovinos e bovinos criados na mesma pastagem. Pesq Agropec Bras 1975; 10(8): 51-56.; Eysker et al., 1983Eysker M, Jansen J, Wemmenhove R, Mirck MH. Alternate grazing of horses and sheep as control for gastro-intestinal helminthiasis in horses. Vet Parasitol 1983; 13(3): 273-280. http://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(83)90064-X. PMid:6686382.
http://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(83)9006...
; Silva et al., 1994Silva MGQ, Costa HMA, Silva AVM. Ocorrências de Trichostrongylus axei (COBBOLD, 1879) em eqüídeos. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 1994; 46(5): 477-484.; Nascimento et al., 2000Nascimento AA, Bonuti MR, Mapeli EB, Tebaldi JH, Arantes IG, Zettermann CD. Infecções naturais em cervídeos (Mammalia: Cervidae) procedentes dos Estados do Mato Grosso do Sul e São Paulo, por nematódeos Trichostrongyloidea Cram, 1927. Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci 2000; 37(2): 153-158. http://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95962000000200012.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95962000000...
). Therefore, in a hypothetical situation where sheep and cattle share the same pasture, if sheep are frequently treated with LEV, it is to be expected that over time the population of T. axei will become resistant. Since the same population of T. axei also infects cattle, the effectiveness of LEV should also decrease in these hosts. On the other hand, it is unlikely that the same will happen with Oesophagostomum species, which have high host-specificity.

Young cattle are more susceptible to GIN infections, so they are more readily infected with some ovine-adapted nematodes. In Germany, calves acquired patent gastrointestinal nematode infections by species that are primarily ovine parasites (H. contortus, C. curticei, N. battus, T. colubriformis, Chabertia ovina) while grazing at a sheep-dominated farm (Rehbein et al., 2022Rehbein S, Hamel D, Yoon S, Fankhauser B. Naturally acquired ovine-adapted nematode infections in young cattle and their treatment with eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection. Parasitol Res 2022; 121(6): 1811-1815. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07515-6. PMid:35394207.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07515-...
). In a beef cow/calf system with the cows and calves grazing in the same pastures as sheep in New Zealand, H. contortus was frequently found infecting pre-weaned beef calves. Nevertheless, there was no evidence of an impact of Haemonchus alone, or mixed nematode infection, on pre-weaned calf growth rates on these farms (Waghorn et al., 2022Waghorn TS, Miller CM, Candy P, Carvalho L, Meban J, Green P, et al. The production costs of Haemonchus contortus and other nematode parasites in pre-weaned beef calves in New Zealand. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2022; 30: 100718. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100718. PMid:35431074.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.1007...
). In South Australia, both H. contortus and H. placei were found infecting cattle (Jabbar et al., 2014Jabbar A, Cotter J, Lyon J, Koehler AV, Gasser RB, Besier B. Unexpected occurrence of Haemonchus placei in cattle in southern Western Australia. Infect Genet Evol 2014; 21: 252-258. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2013.10.025. PMid:24189197.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2013.10....
).

Animal movement and husbandry

Resistant parasites can be introduced along with newly acquired animals in a cattle farm. The ability of gastrointestinal nematode strains, translocated by animal movement, to develop and thrive in a new region will depend on successful competition and mating with the locally established parasite population. If there is compatibility between the original population and the introduced population, crossing is expected, giving rise to new genotypes (Sargison et al., 2019Sargison ND, Redman E, Morrison AA, Bartley DJ, Jackson F, Hoberg E, et al. Mating barriers between genetically divergent strains of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus suggest incipient speciation. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49(7): 531-540. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.02.008. PMid:31034791.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.02....
). Experimentally, Redman et al. (2012)Redman E, Sargison N, Whitelaw F, Jackson F, Morrison A, Bartley DJ, et al. Introgression of ivermectin resistance genes into a susceptible Haemonchus contortus strain by multiple backcrossing. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8(2): e1002534. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002534. PMid:22359506.
http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002...
reported the successful introgression of IVM resistance genes from two independent IVM-resistant strains, MHco4 (WRS) and MHco10(CAVR), into the susceptible genome reference strain MHco3(ISE) using a backcrossing approach.

Relationship between ectoparasite control and emergence of resistant helminths

The influence of ectoparasite control on the emergence of resistant helminths is a controversial topic. The use of endectocides to control ectoparasites, especially ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus), botflies (Dermatobia hominis) and screwworms (Cochliomyia hominivorax), can indirectly favor the selection of helminths resistant to macrocyclic lactones, especially in European cattle breeds, which are more susceptible to ectoparasites than zebu cattle. In these breeds, macrocyclic lactones used in association with acaricides and/or insecticides (up to 16 treatments per year) in order to control ectoparasites might have aggravated nematode resistance (Molento & Brandão, 2022Molento MB, Brandão YO. Macrocyclic lactone resistance in nematodes of cattle in Brazil: blame it to the ticks! Parasitol Int 2022; 89: 102588. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2022.102588. PMid:35452796.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2022.102...
). Similarly, along the subtropical deforested area or plains of Argentina, frequent treatments with persistent drugs (3 to 5 times per year) are used with the aim of controlling both internal and external parasites (Suarez, 2002Suarez VH. Helminthic control on grazing ruminants and environmental risks in South America. Vet Res 2002; 33(5): 563-573. http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039. PMid:12387490.
http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039...
). In 20 properties in the semiarid region of Paraíba, with a predominance of dairy cattle, IVM followed by DRM were the antiparasitics used most, not only to control helminths but also to control R. microplus (Melo et al., 2021Melo LRB, Sousa LC, Menezes Oliveira CS, Alvares FBV, Ferreira LC, Bezerra RA, et al. Resistance of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes to four classes of anthelmintics in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2021; 30(3): e010921. http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077. PMid:34550213.
http://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612021077...
). In that study, resistance to IVM was detected in 19 of the 20 farms.

Choice of anthelmintics and drenching frequency

In recent decades, macrocyclic lactones have dominated the antiparasitic market for cattle treatment. The emergence of several commercial brands, associated with the low price of the product, has resulted in the intensive and indiscriminate use of endectocides in cattle herds, which has resulted in greater resistance of helminths. In addition to the low price of endectocides, their preferential and massive use is also encouraged by the persistent effect, activity against ectoparasites and ease of administration (Suarez, 2002Suarez VH. Helminthic control on grazing ruminants and environmental risks in South America. Vet Res 2002; 33(5): 563-573. http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039. PMid:12387490.
http://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002039...
; Rangel et al., 2005Rangel VB, Leite RC, Oliveira PR, Santos EJ Jr. Resistência de Cooperia spp. e Haemonchus spp. às avermectinas em bovinos de corte. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 2005; 57(2): 186-190. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000200008.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352005000...
).

Based on data available from the Brazilian National Union of the Animal Health Products Industry, in December 2014 there were 131 commercial avermectin formulations available in Brazil for cattle, with 41 companies selling 77 formulations containing IVM and 34 companies selling 54 products containing ABA (reviewed by Rath et al., 2016Rath S, Schroder CHK, Silva CR, Ferreira FO, Dionizio AC, Dal Bosco SM. Avermectinas no agronegócio brasileiro: uma solução ou um problema. Vet Zootec 2016; 23(1): 8-24.). This may explain why resistance to IVM is more common than resistance to ABZ and LEV (Soutello et al., 2007Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
; Neves et al., 2014Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
). Nevertheless, before the launch of IVM in the market, benzimidazoles and imidathiazoles were the anthelmintics most widely used for the strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle, dating to the 1970s and 1980s, respectively, in Mato Grosso (Melo & Bianchin, 1977Melo HJH, Bianchin I. Estudos epidemiológicos de infecções por nematódeos gastrintestinais de bovinos de corte em zona de cerrado de Mato Grosso. Pesq Agropec Bras 1977; 12: 205-216.) and Rio Grande do Sul (Pinheiro, 1983Pinheiro AC. Programa integrado de controle de verminose de bovinos de corte. 2ª ed. Bagé: EMBRAPA-UEPAE; 1983.).

AHR to LEV was absent in all 61 farms evaluated in seven provinces of Argentina where resistance to IVM and BZDs are widespread. The high efficacy of this drug in Argentina is presumably linked to its infrequent use on cattle (Cristel et al., 2017Cristel S, Fiel C, Anziani O, Descarga C, Cetrá B, Romero J, et al. Anthelmintic resistance in grazing beef cattle in central and northeastern areas of Argentina: an update. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2017; 9: 25-28. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.003. PMid:31014837.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.04.0...
).

The person responsible for choosing the product and determining the frequency of application of the anthelmintic in the herd is generally the farm owner. Thus, the control of helminths is empirical, as demonstrated in a study carried out in the highlands of Santa Catarina involving 39 properties. In that region, Souza et al. (2008)Souza AP, Ramos CI, Bellato V, Sartor AP, Schelbauer CA. Resistência de helmintos gastrintestinais de bovinos a anti-helmínticos no Planalto Catarinense. Cienc Rural 2008; 38(5): 1363-1367. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000500026.
http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782008000...
reported that most owners did not have accurate information about the frequency of treatments and the anthelmintics used. The antiparasitic choice generally depended on price, advertising and vendor’s recommendations. This explains the wide variation in the frequency of application of anthelmintics, not only in Santa Catarina, but also in other Brazilian states. For example, in São Paulo, Neves et al. (2014)Neves JH, Carvalho N, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Amarante AFT. Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: a comparison of different methodologies. Vet Parasitol 2014; 206(3-4): 216-226. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.015. PMid:25468021.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10....
reported a range of 2-12 annual treatments (mode = 6) in 10 evaluated farms; Soutello et al. (2007)Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
reported from one to four treatments (mode = 2) in 25 properties, in some cases where two treatments were administered at the same time as the application of the foot-and-mouth vaccine. Among these 25 farms, the most severe cases of AHR (multiple resistance to ABZ, LEV and IVM) occurred on the two farms with the highest frequency of anthelmintic treatments (four times per year). Conversely, on a farm that used a single yearly treatment, anthelmintic efficacy was high: 100% for LEV, ABZ and MOX; and 92% for IVM, in both cases according to the FECRT (Soutello et al., 2007Soutello RGV, Seno MC, Amarante AF. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2007; 148(3-4): 360-364. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.023. PMid:17656022.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06....
).

Differences from other countries

In areas with a temperate climate O. ostertagi and C. oncophora are the most relevant gastrointestinal nematodes (Hildreth & McKenzie, 2020Hildreth MB, McKenzie JB. Epidemiology and control of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in Northern climates. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2020; 36(1): 59-71. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.008. PMid:32029189.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.00...
), and they are considered the main species involved in cases of AHR in cattle (Waghorn et al., 2006Waghorn TS, Leathwick DM, Rhodes AP, Jackson R, Pomroy WE, West DM, et al. Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on 62 beef cattle farms in the North Island of New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2006; 54(6): 278-282. http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.36711. PMid:17151725.
http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.367...
; Edmonds et al., 2010Edmonds MD, Johnson EG, Edmonds JD. Anthelmintic resistance of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora to macrocyclic lactones in cattle from the western United States. Vet Parasitol 2010; 170(3-4): 224-229. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.02.036. PMid:20347229.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.02....
; Kelleher et al., 2020Kelleher AC, Good B, de Waal T, Keane OM. Anthelmintic resistance among gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle on dairy calf to beef farms in Ireland. Ir Vet J 2020; 73(1): 12. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-020-00167-x. PMid:32637072.
http://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-020-00167-...
; Mauger et al., 2022Mauger M, Kelly G, Annandale CH, Robertson ID, Waichigo FK, Aleri JW. Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy calves within a pasture-based production system of south West Western Australia. Aust Vet J 2022; 100(7): 283-291. http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13162. PMid:35383394.
http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13162...
). The situation is similar to that recorded in Brazil and Argentina. Resistance to IVM was detected in all 16 properties evaluated in Ireland, and in some of them resistance to FBZ, LEV and MOX was also detected (Kelleher et al., 2020Kelleher AC, Good B, de Waal T, Keane OM. Anthelmintic resistance among gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle on dairy calf to beef farms in Ireland. Ir Vet J 2020; 73(1): 12. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-020-00167-x. PMid:32637072.
http://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-020-00167-...
). Similarly, in an extensive grazing system in southwest Australia, a strong level of AHR was observed on 11 farms, with at least one class of anthelmintic failing to achieve a 95% reduction of fecal egg counts of one or more gastrointestinal nematode species. Cooperia oncophora displayed resistance to DRM in 91% of the farms and Ostertagia displayed resistance to LEV in 80% of the farms. Fenbendazole resistance was present in both C. oncophora and Ostertagia in 64% and 70% of the farms, respectively (Mauger et al., 2022Mauger M, Kelly G, Annandale CH, Robertson ID, Waichigo FK, Aleri JW. Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy calves within a pasture-based production system of south West Western Australia. Aust Vet J 2022; 100(7): 283-291. http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13162. PMid:35383394.
http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13162...
). In a random sample of beef cattle herds in North Island of New Zealand, resistance to IVM was noted in 56/61 (92%) farms, to ABZ in 47/62 (76%) farms, and to both IVM and ABZ in 45/61 (74%) farms. The parasites most prevalent in resistant populations were Cooperia spp. Resistance of Ostertagia spp. to IVM was detected in 4/45 (9%) farms, to ABZ in 15/46 (35%) farms, and to LEV in 4/46 (9%) (Waghorn et al., 2006Waghorn TS, Leathwick DM, Rhodes AP, Jackson R, Pomroy WE, West DM, et al. Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on 62 beef cattle farms in the North Island of New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2006; 54(6): 278-282. http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.36711. PMid:17151725.
http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.367...
). According to Sauermann et al. (2024)Sauermann C, Waghorn T, Miller C, Leathwick D. Simultaneous resistance to multiple anthelmintic classes in nematode parasites of cattle in New Zealand. Vet Parasitol 2024; 325: 110079. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110079. PMid:38029560.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110...
, since 2006, little has changed in cattle farming systems in New Zealand except for the widespread use of LEV to control Cooperia spp. in young cattle, leading to the emergence of resistance to LEV in Cooperia spp. and Ostertagia spp..

Combined Anthelmintic Treatments to Optimize Parasite Control in Ruminants

The utilization of multiple drugs in treatment regimens to enhance clinical outcomes has numerous advantages over monotherapy. Consequently, combination therapies have become increasingly prevalent to manage complex human diseases such as cancer, HIV, and severe bacterial/fungal infections (Gilad et al., 2021Gilad Y, Gellerman G, Lonard DM, O’Malley BW. Drug combination in cancer treatment-from cocktails to conjugated combinations. Cancers 2021; 13(4): 669. http://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13040669. PMid:33562300.
http://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13040669...
; Shyr et al., 2021Shyr ZA, Cheng YS, Lo DC, Zheng W. Drug combination therapy for emerging viral diseases. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26(10): 2367-2376. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2021.05.008. PMid:34023496.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2021.05....
). This paradigm shift has propelled the transition from the traditional “one-drug/one-target” approach to the more intricate “multiple drugs/multiple targets” strategy (Cheng et al., 2019Cheng F, Kovács IA, Barabási AL. Network-based prediction of drug combinations. Nat Commun 2019; 10(1): 1197. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09186-x. PMid:30867426.
http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09186-...
). The combination of different drugs can yield a broader spectrum of effects, encompassing heightened drug toxicity, and synergistic or additive effects (van Hasselt et al., 2019van Hasselt JGC, Iyengar R. Systems pharmacology: defining the interactions of drug combinations. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 59(1): 21-40. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021511. PMid:30260737.
http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-...
). Consequently, a comprehensive exploration of pharmacological research is essential to gain insights into the advantages and potential drawbacks of combined drug treatments (Lanusse et al., 2018Lanusse C, Canton C, Virkel G, Alvarez L, Costa-Junior L, Lifschitz A. Strategies to optimize the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs in ruminants. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34(8): 664-682. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2018.05.005. PMid:29960843.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2018.05.005...
).

Due to the intensive and often indiscriminate use of anthelmintics, the sustainability of the drug administration approach to control parasitic diseases in ruminants is under serious threat, primarily due to the rapid spread of drug-resistant parasite populations (Kaplan & Vidyashankar, 2012Kaplan RM, Vidyashankar AN. An inconvenient truth: global warming and anthelmintic resistance. Vet Parasitol 2012; 186(1-2): 70-78. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.048. PMid:22154968.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11....
). In light of this challenge, the concept of combining two or more anthelmintics from distinct chemical families has emerged as a strategic approach to combat AHR. The use of combinations can delay resistance emergence or control parasite populations with existing resistance (Geary et el., 2012). The rationale behind this pharmacological strategy lies in the fact that individual nematodes have a diminished likelihood of developing resistance to multiple drugs with varying mechanisms of action compared to when a singular molecule is administered. Consequently, through combined treatment, fewer resistant nematodes will survive and the resulting population will be diluted with susceptible parasites in the pasture (Bartram et al., 2012Bartram DJ, Leathwick DM, Taylor MA, Geurden T, Maeder SJ. The role of combination anthelmintic formulations in the sustainable control of sheep nematodes. Vet Parasitol 2012; 186(3-4): 151-158. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.030. PMid:22245073.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11....
). Mathematical models have convincingly demonstrated that resistance inevitably evolves at a slower rate when combined treatments are employed compared to an annual drug rotation, regardless of any fitness cost associated with resistance (Leathwick, 2013Leathwick DM. Managing anthelmintic resistance--parasite fitness, drug use strategy and the potential for reversion towards susceptibility. Vet Parasitol 2013; 198(1-2): 145-153. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.08.022. PMid:24074608.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.08....
). Various conditions have been proposed as relevant for the success of combined treatments. These include the presence of refugia in the pasture and the high efficacy (near 100%) of each molecule present in the combined treatment (Bartram et al., 2012Bartram DJ, Leathwick DM, Taylor MA, Geurden T, Maeder SJ. The role of combination anthelmintic formulations in the sustainable control of sheep nematodes. Vet Parasitol 2012; 186(3-4): 151-158. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.030. PMid:22245073.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11....
). Nevertheless, model simulation shows that an active ingredient with reduced efficacy against one or more nematode species is still likely to be more effective at slowing resistance when used in combination than when used alone (Leathwick, 2013Leathwick DM. Managing anthelmintic resistance--parasite fitness, drug use strategy and the potential for reversion towards susceptibility. Vet Parasitol 2013; 198(1-2): 145-153. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.08.022. PMid:24074608.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.08....
). The increasing cases of AHR in sheep and cattle have stimulated the development and approval of combinations with two or more anthelmintics in Australia, New Zealand and several Latin America countries. An important discussion centers on the advantages and disadvantages of pre-formulated, fixed-dose commercial preparations containing multiple active ingredients in comparison with the simultaneous administration of distinct anthelmintic formulations using individual drugs. While fixed combinations might unintentionally promote the overutilization of commercial products, the co-administration of separate formulations requires rigorous veterinary supervision to guarantee precise dosing (Geary et al., 2012Geary TG, Hosking BC, Skuce PJ, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Maeder S, Holdsworth P, et al. World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guideline: anthelmintic combination products targeting nematode infections of ruminants and horses. Vet Parasitol 2012; 190(1-2): 306-316. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.004.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09....
).

The use of anthelmintic combinations has been amply explored in sheep. The positive impact of combining LEV and fenbendazole was initially assessed in lambs infected with nematodes displaying resistance to a broad spectrum of anthelmintics (Anderson et al., 1988Anderson N, Martin PJ, Jarrett RG. Mixtures of anthelmintics: a strategy against resistance. Aust Vet J 1988; 65(2): 62-64. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1988.tb07355.x. PMid:3355455.
http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1988....
). This therapeutic advantage was further substantiated by utilizing a combination of IVM and LEV in field conditions over a span of three years, where the efficacy of the combined treatment was greater than the single administration. Notably, the implementation of a combination treatment, coupled with a strategy involving 10% untreated lambs, resulted in a significant delay in the development of resistance. This highlighted the advantage of implementing combined treatment integrated with refugia-based strategies (Leathwick et al., 2012Leathwick DM, Waghorn TS, Miller CM, Candy PM, Oliver AM. Managing anthelmintic resistance: use of a combination anthelmintic and leaving some lambs untreated to slow the development of resistance to ivermectin. Vet Parasitol 2012; 187(1-2): 285-294. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12.021. PMid:22244532.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12....
). However, triple combinations containing IVM-ABZ-LEV and ABA-oxfendazole-LEV failed to control abomasal parasites such as Teladorsagia spp. and Haemonchus spp. (Wrigley et al., 2006Wrigley J, McArthur M, McKenna PB, Mariadass B. Resistance to a triple combination of broad-spectrum anthelmintics in naturally-acquired Ostertagia circumcincta infections in sheep. N Z Vet J 2006; 54(1): 47-49. http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.36604. PMid:16528395.
http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2006.366...
; Suarez et al., 2014Suarez G, Alvarez L, Castells D, Moreno L, Fagiolino P, Lanusse C. Evaluation of pharmacological interactions after administration of a levamisole, albendazole and ivermectin triple combination in lambs. Vet Parasitol 2014; 201(1-2): 110-119. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12.015. PMid:24462508.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12....
) and intestinal parasites such as Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Hodgson & Mulvaney, 2017Hodgson B, Mulvaney CJ. Resistance to a triple-combination anthelmintic in Trichostrongylus spp. on a commercial sheep farm in New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2017; 65(5): 277-281. http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2017.1333468. PMid:28532295.
http://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2017.133...
). Interestingly a pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction was shown of IVM-ABZ-LEV after the combined treatment in sheep. The absorption of LEV increased, the ABZ sulphoxide plasma concentrations decreased and the IVM systemic availability was enhanced with the triple combination (Suarez et al., 2014Suarez G, Alvarez L, Castells D, Moreno L, Fagiolino P, Lanusse C. Evaluation of pharmacological interactions after administration of a levamisole, albendazole and ivermectin triple combination in lambs. Vet Parasitol 2014; 201(1-2): 110-119. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12.015. PMid:24462508.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12....
). In contrast, the combined administration of closantel + MXD in sheep did not markedly alter their disposition kinetics. At 13 days post-treatment, the administration of both molecules as a single active principle reached efficacy levels ranging between 80% and 92%, while the combined oral and subcutaneous (SC) treatments reached 99% efficacy. In this case, the combined effect of closantel + MXD successfully restored the maximum efficacy levels, which were not reached by the individual active ingredients (Suarez et al., 2023Suárez G, Castells D, Imperiale F, Fagiolino P, Canton C, Lanusse C, et al. Therapeutic advantages of the combined use of closantel and moxidectin in lambs parasitized with resistant gastrointestinal nematodes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 23: 28-36. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.004. PMid:37579583.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07....
).

There are only a few reports of the evaluation of anthelmintic combinations in grazing cattle. Some preliminary results indicate that the combination of injectable macrocyclic lactones (ML) and oral LEV was highly effective in minimizing the transport of ML-surviving parasites between different areas of the USA (Smith, 2014Smith LL. Combination anthelmintics effectively control ML-resistant parasites; a real-world case history. Vet Parasitol 2014; 204(1-2): 12-17. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12.020. PMid:24566127.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.12....
). Under different susceptible and resistance scenarios in Argentina, Canton et al. (2017. 2018) assessed the co-administration of ricobendazole (an injectable BZD) plus IVM and ricobendazole plus LEV. In both studies, no adverse PK interactions were observed after the combined treatments, demonstrating that the co-administration of both anthelmintics did not modify the plasma PK behavior of either drug in cattle. In an IVM-resistance scenario, the combination of ricobendazole and IVM was the only treatment that achieved 100% efficacy against resistant Haemonchus spp. Also, the combined treatment accounted for the lowest excretion of eggs to the pasture compared to the single drug administration (Canton et al., 2017Canton C, Ceballos L, Fiel C, Moreno L, Domingo Yagüez P, Bernat G, et al. Resistant nematodes in cattle: pharmaco-therapeutic assessment of the ivermectin-ricobendazole combination. Vet Parasitol 2017; 234: 40-48. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12.021. PMid:28115181.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12....
). Similarly, high efficacy and production benefits for cattle parasitized with resistant nematodes have been obtained with the combined use of ML (DRM) and BZ (ABZ) (Edmonds et al., 2018Edmonds MD, Vatta AF, Marchiondo AA, Vanimisetti HB, Edmonds JD. Concurrent treatment with a macrocyclic lactone and benzimidazole provides season long performance advantages in grazing cattle harboring macrocyclic lactone resistant nematodes. Vet Parasitol 2018; 252: 157-162. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.009. PMid:29559140.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02....
). Recently, the administration of anthelmintic combinations was evaluated in 10 beef cattle farms in Australia. Whereas AHR to macrocyclic lactones was detected in 9 farms, with resistance to Cooperia and Haemonchus spp. in 9 farms, the combination of macrocyclic lactones with LEV or with LEV plus oxfendazole resulted in efficacies of 99-100% (Allworth et al., 2023Allworth MB, Goonan B, Nelson JE, Kelly G, McGrath SR, Woodgate RG. Comparison of the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics, either singly or in combination with other anthelmintic(s), in nine beef herds in southern NSW. Aust Vet J 2023; 101(8): 293-295. http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13248. PMid:37158491.
http://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13248...
).

In Argentina, the use of anthelmintic combinations in beef cattle farms was evaluated under different scenarios. In the case of using a combination in a context of a susceptible scenario, the co-administration of ricobendazole plus LEV obtained 100% of fecal egg reduction against all gastrointestinal nematode genera in winter and 96% in spring, due to the increment of Ostertagia spp. in the parasite population (Canton et al., 2018Canton C, Ceballos L, Domínguez MP, Moreno L, Fiel C, Bernat G, et al. Pharmaco-parasitological evaluation of the ricobendazole plus levamisole nematodicidal combination in cattle. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2018; 41(1): 83-91. http://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12438. PMid:28695609.
http://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12438...
). These findings highlight the relevance of knowing the epidemiology of the different gastrointestinal nematode genera in naturally infected calves and the advantages of using nematocidal combinations before significant resistance is developed. Therefore, considering the advantages of slowing the development of resistance to a new drug class likely to be gained by releasing it in combination with one or more of the older anthelmintic classes, Canton et al. (2023)Canton C, Canton L, Lifschitz A, Paula Dominguez M, Alvarez L, Ceballos L, et al. Monepantel-based anthelmintic combinations to optimize parasite control in cattle. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53(8): 441-449. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.02.001. PMid:36963744.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.02....
reported that the use of monepantel in combination with BZDs compounds could be a good strategy to extend its lifespan for use in cattle as well as to reverse its poor activity against Oesophagostomum spp. Furthermore, Ramos et al. (2016)Ramos F, Portella LP, Rodrigues FS, Reginato CZ, Pötter L, Cezar AS. Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of beef cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6(1): 93-101. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02.002. PMid:27054068.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02....
demonstrated that the use of combinations enables effective control of nematodes in the presence even of multiple drug resistance, where the most effective combinations against multi-resistant nematodes were MXD plus LEV, DRM plus fenbendazole and LEV plus closantel in four farms of the south of Brazil. Similarly, in Argentina effective parasite control was reported after using an injectable combination of IVM + ricobendazole in a multiple-resistant field scenario (Canton, 2018Canton C. Combinación de principios activos: evaluación farmacológica de su impacto en el control parasitario en bovinos [thesis]. Buenos Aires: Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; 2018.).

Only limited research has focused on assessing the sustainability of combinations as a tool to control gastrointestinal nematodes. A study spanning five years and seven sheep farms evaluated the impact of a parasite management program adhering to best practices on the susceptibility of nematodes to LEV, ABZ, and IVM (Leathwick et al., 2015Leathwick DM, Ganesh S, Waghorn TS. Evidence for reversion towards anthelmintic susceptibility in Teladorsagia circumcincta in response to resistance management programmes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2015; 5(1): 9-15. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.01.001. PMid:25941625.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.01....
). The main features of this program were the use of effective anthelmintics, mainly in the form of combinations, and the maintenance of refugia to preserve unselected genotypes. At the beginning of the study, most of the farms had Teladorsagia spp. with multiple resistance to the drugs under evaluation. Although in some farms the efficacy levels were very low at the start of program, there was a significant improvement in the effectiveness of LEV and IVM, with some reversion towards susceptibility after five years (Leathwick et al., 2015Leathwick DM, Ganesh S, Waghorn TS. Evidence for reversion towards anthelmintic susceptibility in Teladorsagia circumcincta in response to resistance management programmes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2015; 5(1): 9-15. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.01.001. PMid:25941625.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.01....
). Importantly, the combinations were integrated into a broader resistance management strategy rather than being employed in isolation. Another approach to evaluate the sustainability of the combined anthelmintic treatments was the use of the moxidectin-LEV combination during four years at a sheep farm with parasites resistant to IVM and LEV (Luque et al., 2021Luque S, Lloberas M, Cardozo P, Virkel G, Farias C, Viviani P, et al. Combined moxidectin-levamisole treatment against multidrug-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes: A four-year efficacy monitoring in lambs. Vet Parasitol 2021; 290: 109362. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109362. PMid:33524780.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109...
). The initial efficacy test showed high efficacy for the combined treatment (between 84.3 and 100%) against all parasite genera. After four years of parasite control based on the use of the combined treatment (with a total of 12 anthelmintic treatments), the observed final efficacy (2018) showed no considerable changes, except for T. colubriformis, which decreased from 97.4 to 58%.

The gathered evidence concerning the utilization of combinations as a strategic approach for resistant nematode control in livestock has significant value. However, it is crucial to recognize that combinations are not a panacea. Sustaining high levels of efficacy over time is likely contingent upon combined management practices that mitigate the need for treatments and/or alleviate selection pressure. Similarly, using a new active ingredient in combination cannot be regarded as the only solution to prevent the development of resistance. This effort should be in balance with diagnostics, the preservation of drug-susceptible nematode populations within refugia and with the design of sustainable parasite control strategies on an individual farm basis.

Conclusions and Perspectives

The AHR scenario in cattle in Argentina and Brazil has evolved to an advanced phase, with the possibility of re-emergence of clinical cases and animal mortality. The lack of awareness among livestock farmers regarding this serious problem perpetuates the risk factors for AHR. Generalist solutions can be hard to apply in the field, so the diagnosis and monitoring of AHR along with practical recommendations, such as the use of drug combinations, must be designed individually for each herd.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil) provided via research productivity grants to W.D.Z.L, A.F.T.A. and F.A.B.

  • How to cite: Borges FA, Amarante AFT, Lopes WDZ, Canton C, Alvarez L, Lifschitz A. Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle in Brazil and Argentina - current status and global perspectives. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2024; 33(3): e010524. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612024041

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    12 Aug 2024
  • Date of issue
    2024

History

  • Received
    16 May 2024
  • Accepted
    28 May 2024
Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária FCAV/UNESP - Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Zona Rural, , 14884-900 Jaboticabal - SP, Brasil, Fone: (16) 3209-7100 RAMAL 7934 - Jaboticabal - SP - Brazil
E-mail: cbpv_rbpv.fcav@unesp.br