Mixed Production of Filamentous Fungal Spores for Preventing Soil-Transmitted Helminth Zoonoses: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

Helminth zoonoses are parasitic infections shared by humans and animals, being the soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) mainly caused by roundworms (ascarids) and hookworms. This study was aimed to assess the individual and/or mixed production of two helminth-antagonistic fungi, one ovicide (Mucor circinelloides) and other predator (Duddingtonia flagrans). Fungi were grown both in Petri plates and in a submerged culture (composed by water, NaCl, Na2HPO4 · 12 H2O, and wheat (Triticum aestivum)). A Fasciola hepatica recombinant protein (FhrAPS) was incorporated to the cultures to improve fungal production. All the cultured plates showed fungal growth, without difference in the development of the fungi when grown alone or mixed. High counts of Mucor spores were produced in liquid media cultures, and no significant differences were achieved regarding single or mixed cultures, or the incorporation of the FhrAPS. A significantly higher production of Duddingtonia spores after the incorporation of the FhrAPS was observed. When analyzing the parasiticide efficacy of the fungal mixture, viability of T. canis eggs reduced to 51%, and the numbers of third stage cyathostomin larvae reduced to 4%. It is concluded, the capability of a fungal mixture containing an ovicide (Mucor) and a predator species (Duddingtonia) for growing together in a submerged medium containing the FhrAPS offers a very interesting tool for preventing STHs.

Sustainable Control of Equine Nematodes: A Literature Review about Control by Fungal Cultures

“…Araujo, J.V. Arias et al 2013;Tavela et al, 2013). This efficiency lasts for years even after seven years preservation period .…”

“…Sometimes the horses were treated several times before the experiment; with a single dose of ivermectin and five doses of oxlbendazole, and they were retreated if eggs reappeared (Baudena et al, 2000). Only Ferná ndez et al (1997 and 1999) and Arias et al (2013) published their results without the use of anthelmintics, but with the use of naturally infected horses.…”

Advantageous Fungi against Parasites Transmitted through Soil

“…It should also be noted the production of molecules with parasiticide action from fungi [4]. Special mention should be made of the use of some fungal species in the control of certain endoparasites that, once in the soil, complete a series of phases until they reach the infective stage [5]. In recent years, very important achievements have been made in the large-scale production of saprophytic fungal spores that are found in the soil, such as Mucor circinelloides or Duddingtonia flagrans, filamentous species that are in contact with eggs or larvae of some parasites, respectively.…”

“…Larval stages (first, second, or third) from nematodes exhibit a certain degree of resistance, and it has been reported they can subsist under snowy areas [16]. Dry soils in spite of very humid areas are preferred by immature hookworms [5], like sandy places. This explains the cutaneous infection of people enjoying outdoor activities on beaches, parks, etc.…”

The capability of the fungus Mucor circinelloides to maintain parasiticidal activity after the industrial feed pelleting enhances the possibilities of biological control of livestock parasites

“…At the same time, eight 2-cm 2 square circles were drawn on the bottom of each plate for estimating the numbers of spores (Arias et al, 2013b).…”