Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Author(s): Nsadzetsen Gilbert Adzemye, Marc K Kouam, Ambrose Limnyuy Kinso and Munji Victorine Nsongka

Abstract: Anthelmintic resistance in pigs has been reported to affect the health and productivity of pigs globally. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of commonly used synthetic drugs and one plant (Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin) powder leaves). This study was carried out in Mezam division, North West Region of Cameroon from March to July. We went out for naturally infected pigs and those with epg of ≥ 150 were selected to test the anthelmintic efficacy of three synthetic anthelmintics (ivermectin, levamisole and albendazole) and pumpkin powder leaves. The EPG of each pig was determined using Modified Macmaster technique. A total of 240 naturally infected pigs were used, 160 (99 males and 61 females) were used to test the anthelmintic efficacy of synthetic drugs by Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) while 80 pigs (50males and 30 females) were used for the clinical trial of pumpkin powder leaves. These pigs were placed into five treatment groups and a control each comprising of 40pigs each. Treatments were as follows: Levamisole (8mg/kg/bw/Sc), albendazole (7.5mg/kg/bw/i/m), ivermectin (0.2mg/kg/bw/Sc), Cucurbita maxima powder leaves Lower dose (25g/kg/bw/Per os) and Cucurbita maxima powder leaves upper dose (50g/kg/bw/per os). Faecal samples were collected on day 0 (before treatment) and days 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th (post treatment) to determine the Faecal Egg Count Reduction (FECR) per animal. The effects of the synthetic drugs were determined using FECRT according to the guidelines of World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). Composite faecal cultures from both the treatment groups and control were done before and after treatment and L3 lavar isolated using Barman’s apparatus while identification was based on morphological features. Ivermectin and levamisole were effective with mean FECR of 96.2% and 94.8% respectively. Albendazole showed resistance with a FECR of 92.4%. The upper dose (50g/kgbw) of powder pumpkin leaves was more effective (72.23%) than the lower dose (25g/kgbw) with FECR of 48.52%. Third stage larvae (L3) of Hyostrongylus rubidus (18), Oesophagostomum spp (two) and Strongyloides ransomi (five) were recovered from pooled faeces before treatment while Hyostrongylus rubidus and strongyloides ransomi after treatment. Cucurbita maxima powder leaves demonstrates striking Anthelmintic properties which can be exploited and further developed to serve as alternative Anthelmintic.