Levamisole modulates cortisol and innate immunity responses in tambaqui ( Colossoma macropomum ) parasitized with Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae

Levamisole hydrochloride as an anthelmintic against Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae in juvenile Colossoma macropomum

“…Levamisole hydrochloride administered via therapeutic baths was proven more effective against N. buttnerae compared with oral administration for the same species supplemented with 100 mg kg −1 LVC in feed for 15 days (Feitoza da Silva et al, 2021), proving that drug effectiveness is influenced by the administration route. Oral administration displays certain disadvantages, such as the need for higher doses than when in the form of baths, probably to compensate for active principle losses to the water by leaching during feeding (Cardoso, 2013;Feitoza da Silva et al, 2021;Pahor-Filho et al 2017;Schalch et al, 2009), and/or the low bioavailability of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract (Zanon, 2013), lack of appetite in sick animals and feed palatability changes, reducing drug effectiveness (Cardoso, 2013;Corral et al, 2018). In addition, the effectiveness of the therapeutic LVC baths was superior to that of other drugs and essential plant oils used to control this same parasite reported in other assessments (Costa et al, 2020;Silva-Gomes et al, 2017).…”

“…In addition to its antiparasitic activity, LVC also displays immunostimulant properties capable of increasing fish immune resistance (Feitoza da Silva et al, 2021;Petrillo et al, 2017). This compound may be administered orally, injected or in the form of baths (Pahor-Filho et al, 2017;Petrillo et al, 2017;Sado et al, 2010), although it should be used with caution in fish, as it may cause nicotinetic and muscarinic effects (Baldani et al, 1999;Martin et al, 2012), highlighting the need to evaluate potential pharmacological effects prior to its application in this taxon.…”

“…Several drugs have been employed in the control of parasites of zootechnical interest in fish farming activities, including levamisole hydrochloride (1–2‐3,5,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐phenylimidazole[2,1‐b] thiazole) (LVC), an imidazothiazole that acts as a cholinergic agonist, selectively affecting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in helminth somatic muscle and nerves, causing parasite muscle contractions, spastic paralysis and death (Martin et al, 2012; Oliveira et al, 2019; Robertson and Martin, 1993; Silva‐Gomes et al, 2017). In addition to its antiparasitic activity, LVC also displays immunostimulant properties capable of increasing fish immune resistance (Feitoza da Silva et al, 2021; Petrillo et al, 2017). This compound may be administered orally, injected or in the form of baths (Pahor‐Filho et al, 2017; Petrillo et al, 2017; Sado et al, 2010), although it should be used with caution in fish, as it may cause nicotinetic and muscarinic effects (Baldani et al, 1999; Martin et al, 2012), highlighting the need to evaluate potential pharmacological effects prior to its application in this taxon.…”