Anthelminthic Veterinary Medicines Interactions with the Soil Microbiota

Abstract

Anthelminthics (AHs) are used to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in productive animals. They are rapidly excreted by animals, ending up in soil through direct deposition of animal dung or application of animal excreta as manures. Most environmental research on AHs has focused on their toxicity to aquatic organisms and soil fauna while their interactions with the soil microbiota, a key component of a functioning soil ecosystem, have been overlooked. In this article, we summarize current knowledge on the interactions of AHs with the soil (micro) biota, we highlight recent evidence for the toxicity of AHs on soil microorganisms and discuss those results in the frame of the current environmental risk assessment (ERA) of veterinary medicines.