Enhanced ability of third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus to withstand drug exposure following chemically induced exsheathment.

Normal (ensheathed) and exsheathed third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus were exposed in vitro to various concentrations of levamisole or ivermectin. Exsheathment was induced by brief exposure to sodium hypochlorite. When observed approximately 2 min after immersion in levamisole at 0, 5, 10, and 100 micrograms/ml (3 trials), the mean percentage motility (to nearest whole number) of normal larvae was 84, 43, 37, and 15, respectively. However, the mean percent motility of exsheathed larvae was 77, 78, 79, and 72, respectively. When observed 55 min after immersion in levamisole at the same concentrations, the mean percent motility of normal larvae was 76, 4, 3, and 0, respectively, whereas that for exsheathed larvae was 72, 75, 68, and 0. When observed 45 min after initial exposure to ivermectin at 0, 8, 80, and 160 micrograms/ml, the mean percent motility of normal larvae was 87, 6, 3, and 3, respectively, whereas the mean percent motility of exsheathed larvae was 94, 75, 29, and 14, respectively. Thus, both drugs were effective against both kinds of larva; but the time and concentration required for efficacy were markedly affected by the presence or absence of a sheath or by unknown effects of the exsheathment process. For both levamisole and ivermectin, exsheathed larvae had a much greater ability than normal larvae to withstand drug exposure.