In vitro association of Duddingtonia flagrans with ivermectin in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of water buffaloes

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro association of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and ivermectin in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of buffalo calves. Materials and Methods. Four experimental groups were formed in microtubes, with five replicates for each group: G1 (nematodes + AC001), G2 (nematodes + ivermectin 1%), G3 (nematodes + AC001 + ivermectin 1%) and G4 (nematodes + distilled water). For each group, after 36 hours of interaction, the content of the microtubes was read by optical microscopy, accounting for the number of nematodes per group. Results. There was a significant larval reduction of the treated groups, with the following percentages in relation to G4 (control): G1: 43.7%; G2: 82.3% and G3: 65.7%. It was also observed that the in vitro association of D. flagrans with ivermectin was more effective in reducing L3 when compared to the isolated use of this fungus. Conclusions. It was concluded that the joint use of D. flagrans with ivermectin can potentiate the efficacy of biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes of buffalo calves, envisioning its use under natural conditions of buffalo breeding.