Levamisoleiscurrentlybeingusedtotreat
capillaria infection in chickens even though there is no
published withdrawal information available for levamisoleinchickens.Tissueresiduewithdrawaloflevamisole
in chickens was studied in 32 healthy broiler breeder
chickens at the age of 32 wk (peak of egg production).
Levamisole residues in chicken tissues, eggs, and plasma
were determined by HPLC with ultraviolet (UV) detection
at 225 nm. The highest level of residue and longest
withdrawalafteroraladministrationof40mg/kglevamisole
to chickens was in the liver. On d 3 the level of
levamisolewereundetectableintheplasma.On d 9, levamisole residue in eggs was 0.096µg/g and on d 18 it was
0.06µg/gorlessinalltheanalyzedchickentissues.Those
levelswerelowerthan therecommendedmaximumresidue
limit (MRL). The withdrawal time for levamisole in
chickens was longer than for other species tested, which
is due in part to a larger dose of levamisole being recommended
for chickens. In conclusion from this research, 9
d are needed for levamisole in eggs to be less than the
MRL, and 18 d of withdrawal are needed before medicated
birds are slaughtered if their tissues are to be safe
for human consumption.