Anthelmintic Drugs Resistance of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Naturally Infected Goats in Haramaya, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: The occurrence of anthelmintic resistance to commonly used drugs is becoming worldwide constrain in livestock production. Considering the narrow range of available drugs and slow rate of new drug development, anthelmintic resistance presents an alarming global threat demanding vigilant monitoring and management. It is likely that anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal goats present in Ethiopia, but little information regarding the prevalence and species of nematode resistance to drugs is available. Current study done with objective to assess anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats to commonly used anthelmintic drugs. Results: The result of the FECRT % and lower 95% confidence limit reported the presence of anthelmintic resistance for tested drugs; albendazole (41.5%, 36.9), tetraclozan (69.5%, 66.1), tetramisole (91.1%, 87.4) and ivermectin (43%, 38.2) respectively. Trichostrongylus spp, Teladorsagia spp and Haemonchus spp showed anthelmintic resistance for all tested drugs. Coproculture from different treated group revealed of Trichostrongylus spp (69.2% in ivermectin and 59.6% in albendazole) was the predominant nematode followed by Teladorsagia spp (21.9% in albendazole and 14.7% in ivermectin). In tetraclozan treatment group, Trichostrongylus spp (42%) and Teladorsagia spp (41.3%) were comparable, followed by Haemonchus spp (13%). In group treated with tetramisole, Teladorsagia spp (54.3%) was the major nematode detected followed by Trichostrongylus spp (25.7%) and Haemonchus spp (11.4%). Conclusions: The study demonstrated the presence of multi-drug resistant nematodes mainly Trichostrongylus spp, Teladorsagia spp and Haemonchus spp. Control strategies including management practices of pasture rotation, supplementary feeding and encouraging traditional nematode control methods. Further studies covering wider areas of Ethiopia and mechanism of nematode resistance need to be studied in future.