[Predatory activity of the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans, Monacrosporium thaumasium and Arthrobotrys robusta on Strongyloides stercoralis infective larvae].

Introduction: Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode that infects much of the population worldwide.

Methods: This study aimed to compare the ability of predatory nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34) and Arthrobotrys robusta (I-31) on infective larvae (L₃) of Strongyloides stercoralis in laboratory conditions on 2% water-agar.

Results: At the end of the experiment, the percentage reductions in Strongyloides stercoralis L3 were 83.7% (AC001), 75.5% (NF34) and 73.2% (I-31).

Conclusions: The nematophagous fungi were able to capture and destroy the L3 in vitro and may be used as biological controls of Strongyloides stercoralis.