Effect of sub-lethal doses of albendazole on the fecundity of Dictyocaulus viviparus.
During an evaluation of the efficacy of prolonged low-dose albendazole therapy on nematode infections in calves, it was observed that a dose-rate of 2 mg kg-1 given daily for 10 days was highly effective at expelling Dictyocaulus viviparus, but smaller doses suppressed the faecal output of larvae without killing the lungworms. A more detailed study with four experimentally infected calves given 1 mg kg-1 day-1 for 10 days showed that faecal output of larvae ceased after six to eight days but resumed four to six days after the withdrawal of the drug. The albendazole-induced sterility was therefore reversible. A subsidiary study showed that the strain of parasite used was fully susceptible to albendazole.
Osman
A M
AM
Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Jacobs
D E
DE
Fisher
M A
MA
Pilkington
J G
JG
Jones
P A
PA
D015766:Albendazole / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D004021:Dictyocaulus / Q000502:physiology*; D004022:Dictyocaulus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole