Comparison of internal parasitic fauna in dairy goats at conventional and organic farms in the Czech Republic

Abstract

This study evaluated the burdens of parasitic protozoans and helminths in dairy goats in two types of farming system in the Czech Republic. We examined nearly 660 faecal samples collected at 14 conventional and 14 organic farms. All farms tested positive for Eimeria oocysts and strongyle-type eggs. The output of coccidial oocysts was highest (86 880 oocysts per gramme - OPG) at an conventional farm, whereas the shedding of nematode strongylid eggs was highest (7400 eggs per gramme - EPG) at an organic farm. The intensities of coccidial and strongylid infections, however, did not differ significantly between conventional and organic farms during our survey. Eimeria arloingi, E. alijevi, and E. ninakohlyakimovae were the most prevalent coccidial species. Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia sp. and Haemonchus contortus were the most prevalent gastrointestinal nematodes, and Muellerius capillaris was the most common lungworm at farms of both types. Eggs of the tapeworm Moniezia were also identified, with prevalences of 14% at conventional farms and 43% at farms applying alternative agricultural practices. Intensity of tapeworm infections was significantly higher (p = 0.02) at organic farms (maximum EPG of 1580) than conventional farms (maximum EPG of 60). Trematodes were not detected at any of the farms. The intensity of most prevalent endoparasitic infections did not differ significantly between the farm types probably due to their similar practices of grazing management and drenching frequency of antiparasitic drugs.