Nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia to control parasitic diseases in animals

Bacillus thuringiensis: a gift for nematode management

Nematodes attacking plants and animals pose a global threat to agricultural industry and public health. Chemicals as long preferred tools for nematode management are facing challenges such as pest resistance and policy restrictions. Recent findings show that Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces rich components with excellent nematicidal competence and is a precious nonchemical resource for controlling a broad range of nematode parasites. Transgenic plants, microbial products, and nanoparticles efficiently deliver and protect Bt nematicidal activities. The combination of nematicidal elements with distinct modes of action can enhance the efficacy and sustainability of Bt-derived nematicidal products. Here we outline these advances, emphasize the promise of Bt in managing nematodes, and discuss issues concerning the optimization of field deployments of Bt-based nematode management.

Molluscicidal Screening of Hypocreales Fungi from a Brazilian Cerrado Cave Against Biomphalaria glabrata Snails

Fungi play vital roles in ecosystems through parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism. Additionally, they are widely used in industry as bioactive compound producers and biological control agents. Biomphalaria glabrata is a freshwater snail often controlled with chemical molluscicides. However, developing effective alternatives to these chemical treatments is essential. This study evaluated the molluscicidal potential of culture supernatant from Hypocreales fungi isolated from a cave in the Brazilian Cerrado against the B. glabrata. The isolates were identified based on morphological features and ITS rDNA sequences. Fifteen filtrates of Hypocreales fungi were obtained and tested both pure and in different dilutions (10% and 50%) against newly hatched snails during 96 h of exposure. The fungal isolates were identified as belonging to the genera of Clonostachys (1), Cylindrocladiella (1), Fusarium (1), Gliocladiopsis (1), Keithomyces (1), Marquandomyces (1), Ovicillium (1), Pochonia (1), Purpureocillium (1), Sarcopodium (1), Sarocladium (1), Trichoderma (3), and Volutella (1). The results showed 93.33% (14) of the fungal filtrates induced significant mortality, indicating their molluscicidal activity, with Pochonia chlamydosporia FCCUFG 100 and Volutella aeria FCCUFG 107 causing 100% mortality in all dilutions. These results reveal the potential of Hypocreales fungi from a Brazilian Cerrado cave as a promising approach for snail control.

Antagonistic activity of Pochonia chlamydosporia against three helminth eggs and characterization of its serine protease

To address the economic burden caused by livestock parasitic diseases, particularly gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and liver flukes, which are exacerbated by growing anthelmintic resistance, researchers are increasingly focusing on biological control strategies as a promising solution. Among these, the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia has demonstrated promising helminth control properties. This study explored the potential of P. chlamydosporia in controlling helminth infections by examining its effects on helminth eggs. P. chlamydosporia was cultured on 2 % water agar (WA) plates, and the eggs of three parasite species (Fasciola hepatica, Parascaris spp., and Nematodirus oiratianus) were placed on these plates. The impact of the fungus on the eggs was assessed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eggs were introduced into a liquid medium to stimulate P. chlamydosporia' s predatory activity. The culture filtrate was tested for protease activity and its efficacy against nematode eggs was evaluated. The extracellular alkaline serine protease was purified and characterized through ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G - 100 chromatography. P. chlamydosporia showed type 1, type 2, and type 3 effects on eggs. (Type 1 effect: physiological and biochemical impact without morphological damage to the eggshell, with visible hyphae adhering to the eggshell; Type 2 effect: lytic effect causing morphological changes in both the embryo and eggshell, without hyphal penetration; Type 3 effect: lytic effect with morphological changes in the embryo and eggshell, along with hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization). Light microscope and SEM observations revealed that P. chlamydosporia destroyed the eggs through mycelial growth, appressoria formation, penetration, and degradation stages. Moreover, the addition of nematode eggs stimulated the secretion of extracellular proteins, including proteases, with induction filtrate showing high ovicidal activity. The molecular mass of the protease was approximately 40 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The optimum activity of the protease was at pH 10 and 60 ℃. The purified protease was highly sensitive to phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), indicating it belonged to the serine protease family. The findings suggest that P. chlamydosporia could be an effective biological control agent for helminth diseases in livestock.

In Vitro Biochemical Control of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata Eggs

PURPOUSE

The present study evaluated in vitro the action of the plant protease papain (EC 3.4.22.2) on intact eggs of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata.

METHODS

Two experimental groups were composed for each of the gastrointestinal helminths: control group (G1) and treated group (G2). In each replicate corresponding to the control group, 100 µL of the suspension containing approximately 100 intact eggs (T. solium) or 50 eggs (T. saginata) and 100 µL of distilled water were added, while for the treated group 100 µL of the egg suspension and 100 µL of the papain solution at a concentration of 15% (m/v) were added. The experiment was conducted in four replicates. The groups were incubated in BOD at 28 ± 1 ºC in the dark for a period of 24 h.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of intact eggs, with average reduction percentages for T. saginata and T. solium of 74.36% and 64.29%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first report on the in vitro control of helminth eggs (T. saginata and T. solium) using pure papain.

In vitro ovicidal studies on egg-parasitic fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia and safety tests on mice

Introduction

The control of parasites infections in livestock is an ongoing concern, with parasites developing resistance to commonly used antiparasitic drugs. The current study investigated in vitro the destructive effect of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on the eggs and oocysts of several equine parasites, as well as assessing the safety of the fungus in mice.

Methods

S. equinus, P. equorum, Anoplocephala spp eggs and Eimeria spp. oocysts were treated with P. chlamydosporia. The prepared preparation was also administered to mice, and the physiological indexes and lesions of major tissues and organs, as well as pathological sections of tissue, were then observed.

Results

P. chlamydosporia exhibited varying degrees of efficacy in the control of S. equinus, P. equorum, Anoplocephala spp eggs and Eimeria spp. oocysts. The acute toxicity test demonstrated that there was no death or toxicity symptom observed in the mice, with no significant difference in clinical observations, such as respiration, mental state, appetite, or feces, between the control and treated mice after the feeding of the biological preparation of P. chlamydosporia.

Discussion

These findings suggested that administration of P. chlamydosporia would be safe to use in livestock and provided a rationale for its potential clinical application, pending further analyses.

The Role of Helminthophagous Fungi in the Biological Control of Human and Zoonotic Intestinal Helminths

Nematophagous, or helminthophagous fungi of the genera Duddingtonia, Arthrobotrys, Monacrosporium, Pochonia, Paecilomyces, and Mucor, have been used over the years in in vitro and in vivo experiments to control helminth parasites that are potentially zoonotic. These fungi have shown efficacy against the following helminth genera: Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Enterobius, Strongyloides, Angiostrongylus, Taenia, Fasciola, and Schistosoma. The results obtained from these experiments, together with studies on soil contamination, suggest the viability of their use as a sustainable and effective strategy to reduce environmental contamination by these zoonotic parasites. Therefore, the aim of this review was to address the role of helminthophagous fungi in the biological control of potentially zoonotic helminths. To this end, we describe (1) a brief history of helminthophagous fungi; (2) a discussion of some potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites; (3) the importance of helminthophagous fungi in the control of nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes; and (4) the potential of helminthophagous fungi as a practical and sustainable strategy.

Assessing the applications and efficacy of using helminthophagous fungi to control canine gastrointestinal parasites

Helminths are a major challenge in dog breeding, particularly affecting young animals and posing a significant zoonotic risk. The widespread use of anthelmintics to treat gastrointestinal helminth infections in companion animals is common. However, these chemical products generate residues that can have adverse effects on animal, human and environmental health. In addition to the challenge of parasite resistance to treatment, there is an urgent need to explore and discuss complementary and sustainable methods of controlling helminthiases in these animals. In this context, nematophagous or helminthophagous fungi have emerged as a potential tool for the control of environmental forms of helminths. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of these fungi in the control of free-living forms of helminth parasites in companion animals by highlighting the research that has been conducted for this purpose. In vitro experiments demonstrated the efficacy of fungi like Pochonia chlamydosporia, Arthrobotrys robusta, and Monacrosporium thaumasium in trapping and reducing helminth infective forms. These findings, along with soil contamination studies, suggest the feasibility of using helminthophagous fungi as a sustainable and effective strategy for environmental control. The current literature supports the potential of these fungi as an environmentally friendly solution for managing helminthiasis in dogs, benefiting both animal health and public welfare.

Efficiency of Experimental Formulation Containing Duddingtonia flagrans and Pochonia chlamydosporia against Moniezia expansa Eggs

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental formulation containing chlamydospores of Duddingtonia flagrans and Pochonia chlamydosporia fungi, against Moniezia expansa. Two experiments were carried out. The first experiment evaluated the in vitro efficacy using 1 g of the experimental formulation (V1) added to 100 M. expansa eggs and the control (V2) (without the fungal formulation). Intact eggs or eggs with alterations were counted in order to evaluate their effectiveness. The second experiment evaluated the action of the fungal formulation on M. expansa eggs after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of goats. Three groups were identified as B1, B2, and B3, which received 1.0, 1.5 g of experimental fungal formulation, and placebo, respectively. In experiment 1, all the eggs in V1 were subjected to the predatory action of fungi, while in V2, the eggs remained intact. In experiment 2, the reduction of eggs in groups B1 and B2 were 49% and 57% 24 h after ingestion, 60% and 63% 48 h after, and 48% and 58% 72 h after. The predatory capacity against M. expansa eggs shown in the tests demonstrated that experimental fungal formulation has the potential to be used on integrated helminth control programs.