Luis Carlos Pérez-Cogollo

First report of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus resistant to ivermectin in Mexico.

Three cattle farms with ticks, Rhipicephalus microplus, thought to be resistant to ivermectin in Yucatan, Mexico were studied (SFDO, SPN, LUADY). Each field-population was collected and tested twice several months apart. The larval immersion test was used on the progeny of collected adult females to test the susceptibility to ivermectin. Dose-mortality regressions, lethal concentrations (LC), their confidence intervals and slope were estimated by probit analysis. Resistance ratios (RR) were determined in the three investigated populations at the LC(50) and LC(99) estimates. The LUADY (RR(50): 2.04 and 2.29, RR(99): 2.67 and 3.55), SPN (RR(50): 3.55 and 3.68, RR(99): 8.19-11.06) and SFDO (RR(50): 6.84 and 8.59, RR(99): 54.17 and 87.86) ticks had significantly higher LC(50)/LC(99) than the reference susceptible Deutch strain, demonstrating resistance in the field-collected populations. Furthermore, there was significant difference between LC(50)/LC(99) of the SFDO, SPN and LUADY tick populations, which indicates not only the presence of resistant populations, but also different levels of resistance to ivermectin in the field populations studied. There was no difference observed at the LC(50) nor LC(99) estimates at two different times of collection from any of the three populations studied. In conclusion, we report for the first time field populations of R. microplus resistant to ivermectin in Mexico.

Survey of Rhipicephalus microplus resistance to ivermectin at cattle farms with history of macrocyclic lactones use in Yucatan, Mexico

Engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus were collected from 30 cattle farms in Yucatan, Mexico to evaluate ivermectin resistance. The larval progeny of each tick sample were produced in laboratory and evaluated using the larval immersion test to obtain the larval mortality. Concentration-mortality data were subjected to probit analysis to generate lethal concentrations (LC). Resistance ratio (RR) of each tick sample was calculated by dividing its LC with that of an ivermectin-susceptible strain (Deutch). Field populations of R. microplus demonstrated various levels of resistance to ivermectin. The top three resistant populations were CHPAT (RR(50)=10.23, RR(99)=179.6), SDGO (RR(50)=7.37, RR(99)=115.3) and FND (RR(50)=7.09, RR(99)=50.22). The level of ivermectin resistance in most tick samples from cattle farms in Yucatan, Mexico were relatively low. However, the intensive use of macrocyclic lactones to control both endo- and ectoparasites in the region will likely lead to a more serious resistance problem that may cause control failure in the future.

Rhipicephalus(Boophilus) microplus resistant to acaricides and ivermectin in cattle farms of Mexico

Ticks and the diseases they transmit cause great economic losses to livestock in tropical countries. Non-chemical control alternatives include the use of resistant cattle breeds, biological control and vaccines. However, the most widely used method is the application of different chemical classes of acaricides and macrocyclic lactones. Populations of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, resistant to organophosphates (OP), synthetic pyrethroids (SP), amitraz and fipronil have been reported in Mexico. Macrocyclic lactones are the most sold antiparasitic drug in the Mexican veterinary market. Ivermectin-resistant populations of R. (B.) microplus have been reported in Brazil, Uruguay and especially in Mexico (Veracruz and Yucatan). Although ivermectin resistance levels in R. (B.) microplus from Mexico were generally low in most cases, some field populations of R. (B.) microplus exhibited high levels of ivermectin resistance. The CHPAT population showed a resistance ratio of 10.23 and 79.6 at lethal concentration of 50% and 99%, respectively. Many field populations of R. (B.) microplus are resistant to multiple classes of antiparasitic drugs, including organophosphates (chlorpyrifos, coumaphos and diazinon), pyrethroids (flumethrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin), amitraz and ivermectin. This paper reports the current status of the resistance of R. (B.) microplus to acaricides, especially ivermectin, in Mexican cattle.

Uso de lactonas macrocíclicas para el control de la garrapata Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus en el ganado bovino

En esta revision se describe en detalle la composicion quimica, farmacocinetica, presentacion y dosis, seguridad y tiempo de retiro y la seguridad ambiental de los grupos que componen a las LM: avemectinas (ivermectina, doramectina, eprinomectina, abamectina) y milbemicinas (moxidectina). Ademas se presenta una discusion sobre su eficacia y el problema de resistencia de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus a las LM. Se concluye que las LM por su alta liposolubilidad se distribuyen ampliamente en los tejidos, siendo eficaces para el control de R. (B.) microplus en el ganado bovino. La eficacia de la ivermectina, doramectina, eprinomectina, abamectina y moxidectina de corta accion es similar (> 90% de eficacia a las cuatro semanas postratamiento, PT) para el control de fases adultas de R. (B.) microplus; sin embargo, existen en el mercado LM de larga accion que presentan eficacia > 95% con persistencia hasta 70 dias PT.

Prevalence of cattle herds with ivermectin resistant nematodes in the hot sub-humid tropics of Mexico.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of semi-intensive Bos indicus and Bos indicus × Bos taurus cattle herds with ivermectin (IVM) resistant nematodes in a sub-humid tropical zone of Mexico using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Thirty-three herds (28 beef and 5 dual purpose herds) were monitored in a period of 6 months (September 2008 to February, 2009). Only 14 of the 33 herds were included in the trial. The other herds had not enough animals with sufficient nematode eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) to be included in a FECRT. Some farms were visited twice trying to find more animals with egg counts higher than 150 EPG. In the 14 surveyed herds the calves were randomly distributed into two groups: (a) treatment group received 0.2mg of IVM/kg BW sc on day 0, and (b) control group without treatment. Faecal samples were obtained from each animal on days 0 and 14 post-treatment. Reduction percentages (% R) and 95% CI were calculated. The prevalence of cattle herds with IVM resistant nematodes was 78.6%. Those suspected of IVM resistance were 21.4%. All surveyed herds used IVM from two to three times a year (mainly beginning and end of the wet season) during 1-11 consecutive years. The farm with stronger resistance used IVM for 11 consecutive years (% R=0%; 95% CI=0-47%). Genera of nematodes resistant to IVM were: Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Cooperia and Trichostrongylus. A considerable effort is needed to perform FECRT in cattle herds under hot sub-humid tropical conditions.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Ivermectin on Onthophagus landolti (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

ABSTRACT Previous work has documented toxic effects of ivermectin (IVM) on dung beetles from the Old World, but very little is known about this drugs effect on Neotropical dung beetles. Accordingly, we conducted a bioassay with dung spiked with IVM to assess its lethal and sublethal effects on the Neotropical dung beetle Onthophagus landolti Harold. The experimental design consisted of five treated groups G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5 receiving 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg IVM/kg dung fresh weight, respectively, and two control groups (solvent control [CGA] and untreated control [CGU]). Adult survival and fecundity were measured throughout a 10-d period, and subsequent egg development and survival were monitored. Adult survival was only affected for treatment groups G4 and G5 groups (70 and 30%, respectively); groups G1, G2, G3 and both controls exhibited 100% survival. Fecundity was completely suppressed under treatment groups G4 and G5. Group G3 only had 1.7 and 2.1% brood mass production relative to CGA and CGU, respectively. Additionally, for groups G1 and G2 the proportion of adults emerging from brood masses was lower relative to CGA. Furthermore, development time for the second generation in groups G1 and G2 was 12.5% slower relative to control groups. Finally, dung removal by beetles from groups G3, G4, and G5 was significantly lower relative to control groups. In conclusion, toxic effects of IVM on O. landolti are associated mainly with reduced fecundity and lower dung-removal by adult beetles as well as reduced survival and slower development of offspring.

Life History of Onthophagus landolti Harold, 1880 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), with Descriptions of the Preimaginal Stages

Abstract The life history and morphology of the third instar and pupa are described for Onthophagus landolti Harold, 1880 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Instar developmental time was determined by analyzing cephalic width data using generalized linear models. Morphological descriptions were done of the third instar and pupa, comparing taxonomically relevant characters to other species of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 species. Developmental time took 30 days from egg to teneral imago. The egg period lasted 2–3 days, the larval period 20–22 days, and the pupa 6–8 days. Cephalic width ranged 0.750–0.850 mm for the first instar, 0.925–1.075 mm for the second instar, and 1.125–1.300 mm for the third instar. Duration of the first instar was 2–3 days, the second instar lasted 3 days, and the third instar 10–13 days. Onthophagus landolti larvae exhibit morphological characters common to other American Onthophagus. The principal interspecific variation in chaetotaxy was observed on the labium-hypopharynx.