Researchers trying to find alternatives to control strongyles, which are developing resistance to current dewormers, are looking at a fungus to control the parasitic worms environmentally.

"Due to the emergence of anthelminthic resistance of the worms in horses, current treatments have not been fully effective," said Juliana Milani Araujo, MSc, of Universidad Federal de Vicosa in Brazil. "So researchers are looking for new alternatives to control the parasites.

"Researchers around the world have been seeking new alternatives to control worms in horses and other livestock," she continued. "Among these alternatives, the environmental control of worms using nematophagous fungi has shown promising results."

Araujo and her colleagues used nematophagous fungi–living organisms that are harmless to people, the environment, and animals but kill infective larvae of Strongyloides westeri (the cause of strongyles in Brazil)–in pasture. They found that the fungus decreased larvae in pasture, thus limiting the number of parasites to which the horse was exposed. As a result, the horses needed fewer treatments with an anthelminthic