Resistance to albendazole by Marshallagia marshalli nematodes in sheep.

摘要

Benzimidazoles inhibit Trichostrongyle nematodes in sheep but resistance to these drugs have been reported worldwide. We report resistance of Marshallagia marshalli to Albendazole in sheep flocks in Southern Iran. Adult male and female worms taken from abomasa of sheep from 6 locations were identified by morphology and PCR. Worm motility tests were done to assess resistance to Albendazole. By PCR ITS-2 ribosomal gene, isolates had near identity with M. marshalli, M. schumakovitschi and M. sodgiana but were phylogenetically different from other abomasal nematode species. By motility percentage of surviving worms from 3 locations (~39%) were not different (P > 0.05) to untreated controls, suggesting resistance to albendazole. We found no difference inresistance between male and female strongyles. Our results suggest high levels of resistance to Albendazole in strongyles in sheep flocks in Southern Iran.