Comparative efficacy of clorsulon and albendazole against Fasciola hepatica in cattle

In a dosage-confirmation trial, anthelmintic activities of clorsulon and albendazole against Fasciola hepatica were evaluated and compared. Twenty-eight cattle (8 to 12 months old) with natural F hepatica infections were randomly allotted to 4 groups of 7 cattle each: group 1, no treatment (controls); group 2, clorsulon suspension given orally at 3.5 mg/kg of body weight; group 3, clorsulon suspension given orally at 7 mg/kg; and group 4, albendazole paste given orally at 10 mg/kg. At necropsies, performed 7 and 8 days after treatment, control cattle harbored a geometric mean of 133.2 F hepatica, 16.0 of which were immature. Clorsulon administered at 3.5 mg/kg or 7 mg/kg resulted in greater than 99% removal of F hepatica, including immatures. Albendazole treatment resulted in a 76% overall reduction in F hepatica, including a 91% reduction of immatures. Fascioloides magna also were found in the cattle, but neither clorsulon nor albendazole caused significant reductions of the parasite. Adverse reactions to the 2 drugs were not observed.