A modified critical test and its use in two dose titration trials to assess efficacy of praziquantel for Anoplocephala perfoliata in equids

Aims of this study with 43 equids naturally infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata in two dose titration trials were to document (i) the usefulness of a critical test with a 48 h treatment to necropsy period, (ii) efficacy of an oral paste of 0.5–2.0 mg praziquantel/kg body weight, and (iii) when after treatment would fecal egg counts provide best estimates of the tapeworm's prevalence in a herd. All feces passed by an equid after treatment and collected in successive 12 h batches were examined for tapeworms. At necropsy, tapeworms were identified as attached to the mucosa or unattached. Tapeworms were examined with a stereoscope and identified as normal or abnormal. Fecal samples were taken for egg counts at treatment and at 6 h intervals thereafter. In 32 of 36 treated equids, efficacy was 100% and mean efficacies for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg praziquantel/kg body weight were 85.5, 99.7, 100 and 100%, respectively. Two equids treated with 0.5 mg praziquantel/kg body weight had low efficacies (5.4 and 38.1%) and normal tapeworms were found attached in the ventral colon and in one equid also in the dorsal colon. In seven untreated equids, tapeworms were primarily in the cecum with 21.3% detached. “Major fragments” or worms without a scolex but otherwise nearly a complete worm were 20.5% of the number of intact worms; they were not included in the efficacy analysis but should be. If the two equids with low efficacy were eliminated and if the number of all tapeworms and major fragments are combined less than 0.5% were in feces within 12 h of treatment, about 20% were in the 12–24 h period, 42% in 24–36 h, 24% in 36–48 h and 13.5% in the equids at necropsy. One horse passed all its tapeworms in 24 h. This 48 h test when compared with a 24 h one with no examination of feces was more efficient in use of trial animals and reduced underestimation and overestimation of efficacy. However, a protocol similar to the 48 h test but with a 24 or 36 h post-treatment period should be investigated. The mean egg count peaked 18–24 h after treatment and samples taken at that time would provide the best estimate of prevalence. The Cornell-Wisconsin centrifugal flotation technique had a specificity of 100% and at 18 and 24 h its sensitivity was 94%. A brief discussion on critical and controlled tests for assessing efficacy of an anthelmintic for A. perfoliata is presented.