Biological control of parasites

[brewmaster15]

Came across some interesting research on the use of biological agents to control and kill parasites. Specifically I was researching current and past treatments for Gill flukes. We know these critters as "the gift that keeps on giving" These parasites are just so hard to eradicate. Discus keepers have used pesticides and neurotoxins, caustic chemical like formalin and Potassium Permanganate, dewormers like flubendazole and praziquantel. Copper has been used. The list is pretty long. Alot of these can be effective to some degree... but they are either toxic or expensive or the flukes have become resistent.

I started wondering about research into using bacteria or bacterial toxins to kill flukes. Its something we commonly do with other pests like grubs. So I searched BT and gill flukes. BT.. Bacillus thuringensis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035146/

This bacteria is widely used to control insects. Its toxins are harmless to vertebrates.

Sure enough its being investigated and has been for some time now for use in aquaculture. It appears that certain strains of the bacteria do work against gill flukes to various degrees. The question is which ones and then refine the efficacy.

Please do not go out and buy a bag of BT used in lawns or crops to treat gill flukes.. Im sure some facebook/You tube expert will do just that at some point claiming you need to do it weekly lol .. but we arent there yet .

I just thought that something like this was a really interesting idea that we may one day see available as a fluke treatment.

Oh and incidentally.. it also is being looked at to kill nematodes like capillaria.



Sources
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/8272407/

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5093120A/en

[Second Hand Pat]

Al, what about a good old-fashion salt dip?

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...-Do-a-Salt-Dip.

and move to a clean tank?

Pat

[brewmaster15]

Al, what about a good old-fashion salt dip?

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...-Do-a-Salt-Dip.

and move to a clean tank?

Pat

Pat,

Salt dips are a great tool. You can kill adult flukes with one, and if moved to a clean tank it should be free of adult flukes. The Problem lies in it not killing eggs in the time frame of a typical dip..so its you have a recurrence. Its also not the most practical for most people as they need multiple tanks. And lastly there is the fear factor. Most dips rely on you leaving your fish in that Salt water as long as possible ..that is indicated by when they "roll " which looks alot like dying. The basically float back up to the top and lay there..at that point you quickly remove the stunned fish and put back in clean water. in a clean tank. Its traumatic to alot of fish keepers. Personally I think Salt dips and Baths are really great tools to use in treating external parasites.

al