Benzimidazole Resistance in Cattle: The First Report of the Presence of F200Y Mutation in Cooperia in Ecuador

Abstract

Anthelmintic resistance among GINs in cattle is a worldwide issue. Identifying the early signs of anthelmintic resistance (AR) is necessary to sustainably manage bovine parasitic infections. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance status of bovine parasitic nematodes against FBZ on a farm with a known history of broad-spectrum anthelmintic usage in Ecuador. FBZ efficacy was analyzed using a fecal egg count reduction test (FECR test) and β-tubulin 1 mutation identification in Cooperia spp., the dominant nematode parasite identified before and after treatment. According to the FECR test, the nematode population was susceptible to FBZ. After amplifying and cloning the β-tubulin 1 of Cooperia spp., an F200Y mutation was found in 43% of the pooled larva coproculture after treatment. This study reports, for the first time, the presence of F200Y resistance-conferring mutation in Cooperia spp. in Ecuador. Although the nematode population was phenotypically susceptible to FBZ, the presence of F200Y suggests the existence of resistance in the early stages. Our findings highlight the need to implement alternative control strategies for parasitic infections besides broad-spectrum anthelmintics.