Levamisole: anthelmintic activity in calves following dermal application

A series of seven experiments designed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of levamisole (1-tetramisole) by dermal application is described. This work involved use of 181 artificially infested calves. The drug was formulated at a concentration of 10% m/v levamisole base in a solvent system promoting dermal absorption and was applied to both sides of the spine in the lumber region at a dose rate of 10 mg levamisole base per kg livemass. A consistent performance was achieved in these investigations, the results from all of which were based upon necropsy findings. Efficacy of treatment was assessed against the third and fourth larval stages and fifth stage larvae/adult worms of six nematode species; the respective efficacies obtained were Haemonchus placei 72,0%; 99,3%; and 100%: Ostertagia ostertagi 85,5%; 38,1% and 74,5%: Cooperia spp. 98,9%; 99,9% and 100%: Bunostomum phlebotomum 83,0%; 100% and 98,5%: Oesophagostomum radiatum 47,4%; 94,9% and 99,6% and Dictyocaulus viviparus 79,5%; 94,1%; 90.9% (fifth stage larvae) and 93,8% (adult worms). The anthelmintic efficacy of levamisole in these experiments is of the same order as that achieved by orthodox methods of administration at dose rates between 7,5 and 10,0 mg levamisole HC1 per kg livemass. These findings add a new dimension to the use of levamisole and to anthelmintic therapy in general.