Removal and Quantification of Asian Tapeworm from Bonytail Chub Using Praziquantel

Ward, David L.

doi:10.1577/a06-054.1

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The potential impacts of Asian fish tapeworm have led to the development of treatments for the cestode. Extra‐label drug treatment of fish with an anthelminthic drug Droncit (active ingredient Praziquantel; Bayer HealthCare, Shawnee Mission, Kansas) has successfully eliminated cestodes from both hatchery and wild fish and generally requires veterinary oversight of treatments (Mitchell and Hobbs ; Ward ; Iles et al. ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential impacts of Asian fish tapeworm have led to the development of treatments for the cestode. Extralabel drug treatment of fish with an anthelminthic drug Droncit (active ingredient Praziquantel; Bayer HealthCare, Shawnee Mission, Kansas) has successfully eliminated cestodes from both hatchery and wild fish and generally requires veterinary oversight of treatments (Mitchell and Hobbs 2007;Ward 2007;Iles et al 2012). The success of anthelminthic treatment, however, hinges on complete elimination of all life stages of the parasite with preventive measures in place to reduce the transfer and further spread.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nonlethal Detection of Asian Fish Tapeworm in the Federally Endangered Humpback Chub Using a Molecular Screening Tool

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Optimal spawning habitat of federally endangered Humpback Chub Gila cypha exists within the Little Colorado River; however, temperatures in the Little Colorado River are also ideal for proliferation of the invasive pathogenic Asian fish tapeworm Schyzocotyle acheilognathi. The current standard for positive identification of the parasite is necropsy and visual examination of the gut via microscopy, a methodology undesirable for assessing infection in endangered fishes. A swab taken at the rectum of the fish and analyzed using a novel DNA primer targeting the cestode cytochrome oxidase I subunit mtDNA gene region offers a convenient nonlethal sampling tool. To validate the nonlethal methodology, primer sensitivity (51.9%) and specificity (79.5%) were calculated by exposing captive fish to the parasite and comparing results using the lethal standard method (i.e., visual examination). Subsequently, we utilized this nonlethal methodology to address prevalence of infection and infection frequency across a range of size‐classes in a wild population of Humpback Chub and addressed possible patterns and mechanisms of infection in the Little Colorado River. When wild Humpback Chub were screened for infection prevalence in spring 2015 (21.4%, n = 140) and fall 2015 (6.6%, n = 258), the relative frequency of infection was highest in juveniles and subadult fish (200–300 mm). Elevated levels of infection near the major spawning grounds of Humpback Chub in the Little Colorado River promote parasitic infection, which may continue to persist without treatment or actions to control infections. We demonstrated that rectal swabs, in conjunction with PCR and primer‐specific identification, offer a time‐efficient nonlethal method to detect infection of Asian fish tapeworm in an endangered fish.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonlethal Detection of Asian Fish Tapeworm in the Federally Endangered Humpback Chub Using a Molecular Screening Tool

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Praziquantel kills a wide range of helminth parasites, but fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals tolerate it well (Andrews and Riley 1982). Most recent studies of the effectiveness of praziquantel for fish involved adding it directly to the water (Mitchell 2004;Ward 2007;Mitchell and Darwish 2009). These simple bath treatments are effective, expose all fish to the treatment, and avoid handling stress.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These simple bath treatments are effective, expose all fish to the treatment, and avoid handling stress. With adequate dosage and duration of treatment, 100% of Asian tapeworms can be eliminated from captive fish in a safe manner (Mitchell 2004;Ward 2007;Mitchell and Darwish 2009). In fact, many state agricultural and food departments have mandatory tapeworm eradication procedures that use praziquantel for the intraand interstate movement of live fish (e.g., UDAF 1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Praziquantel Treatment Regime for Controlling Asian Tapeworm Infections in Pond‐Reared Fish

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus achelognathii is an intestinal fish parasite that is nonnative to but widespread throughout the southwestern United States. Praziquantel is an anthelminthic drug commonly used to treat fish for Asian tapeworm; however, it does not kill tapeworm eggs, so the water in ponds used for fish rearing must be exchanged after treatment. Our objective was to determine whether a system containing both an intermediate copepod host and a definitive fish host for Asian tapeworm could be treated without exchanging the water by using a follow-up treatment for any tapeworms that developed from eggs released before or during the first treatment. Here, we have described a new praziquantel treatment regimen to control Asian tapeworm infections in freshwater-reared fish. To evaluate the efficacy of this regimen, we stocked 50 red shiners Cyprinella lutrensis and an intermediate copepod host, Cyclops vernalis, into each of six pond mesocosms containing artificial macrophytes, sand, and gravel to simulate natural pools and provide suitable substrate for the copepod's life history. The test fish population had been naturally infected with B. achelognathii and had an initial infection prevalence of 14% and an infection intensity of 2.14 ± 2.19 (mean ± SD) worms per fish. Three mesocosms were treated twice, each with 2.5 mg/L praziquantel; 19 d passed between treatments to allow for possible reinfection to occur. After a 2.5-month posttreatment period to allow any remaining tapeworms to reestablish themselves, we killed and dissected all of the remaining fish. No worms were found in treated fish; however, the control group had an infection prevalence of 18 ± 6% and an infection intensity of 3.45 ± 2.1 worms per fish. Based on these results, we concluded that the praziquantel treatment regime administered was efficacious and suggest testing it on a larger scale. We caution that praziquantel has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use on fish but can be used legally in some situations.

show abstract

“…These concerns have prompted studies into methods of control and treatment for Asian tapeworm, including the use of anthelmintics such as praziquantel (Droncit), developed by Bayer Corporation for treatment of tapeworm infestation in humans and animals (Andrews et al 1983). Fisheries managers and aquaculturists commonly use praziquantel to treat Asian tapeworm infections in fish (Mitchell 2004;Ward 2007;Mitchell and Darwish 2009). Praziquantel offers an advantage over other control methods because it allows the removal of Asian tapeworm without harming the host fish.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Praziquantel on Eggs of the Asian Tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Praziquantel, an anthelmintic, is commonly used to control the Asian fish tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and baitfish. We treated 50 individuals from three different cyprinid fish species with praziquantel at 6 mg/L, a dose higher than the minimum recommended for complete Asian tapeworm removal in 24 h but much less than the concentration that would have ill effects on the fish. Praziquantel killed hundreds of adult tapeworms, but many ruptured and released eggs. We observed that the eggs released from Asian tapeworms treated with praziquantel were viable and produced thousands of coracidia over several days. We warn fishery managers that even if fish receive the typically recommended praziquantel treatment regime and all adult tapeworms are killed, viable eggs and coracidia may be present in the holding water or attached to the skin of treated fish, the surfaces of equipment, or treatment personnel.

show abstract

Removal and Quantification of Asian Tapeworm from Bonytail Chub Using Praziquantel

Cited by 13 publications

References 11 publications

Nonlethal Detection of Asian Fish Tapeworm in the Federally Endangered Humpback Chub Using a Molecular Screening Tool

Nonlethal Detection of Asian Fish Tapeworm in the Federally Endangered Humpback Chub Using a Molecular Screening Tool

Novel Praziquantel Treatment Regime for Controlling Asian Tapeworm Infections in Pond‐Reared Fish

Effects of Praziquantel on Eggs of the Asian Tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About