PREDACIOUS ACTIVITY OF THE NEMATODE-TRAPPING FUNGUS DUDDINGTONIA FLAGRANS AGAINST CYATHOSTOME LARVAE IN FECES AFTER PASSAGE THROUGH THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT OF HORSES

This study was undertaken to examine the potential of the nematode-tra pping microfungus Duddingtonia flagrans to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of horses and subsequently to destroy free-liv ing stages of cyathostomes in faecal cultures. Three different oral do se levels were tested, two horses being used for each level. Faeces we re collected twice daily and the numbers of parasite eggs per gram of faeces were determined. The numbers of infective third stage larvae wh ich developed in faecal cultures were determined after the cultures ha d been incubated for 2 weeks at 24 degrees C. Results showed a positiv e relationship between dose level and reduction in the number of infec tive larvae. Fungi were recovered in faeces at times which corresponde d to high larval reduction.