Abstract
Trichostrongylids infection has gained significant public health importance since Trichostrongylus spp. infections have been reported in humans in Lao PDR. In this study, gastrointestinal nematodes were identified and the intensity of infections was determined in goats and cattle, which are animals greatly used for meat production in Lahanam Village, Lao PDR. The total number of goats and bovines was 23 and 29, respectively, pertaining to 32 households surveyed in the area. Feacal samples were randomly collected from 14 goats and 11 bovines. Ninety three percent (13/14) of goats and 36% (3/11) of cattle were infected, with an average of 1,728 and 86 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), respectively. Coproculture showed Trichostrongylus spp. (goats 16%; bovines 48%), Haemonchus spp. (goats 69%; bovines 37%), Cooperia spp. (bovines 8%) and Oesophagostomum spp. (goats 15%; bovines 6%). After performing the necropsy on an adult goat, Trichuris spp. was also found. We confirmed the presence of Oesophagostomum spp., H. contortus and T. colubriformis by morphology and DNA sequencing analysis of the ITS region of rDNA. Due to interactions between humans and goats in Lahanam Village and high EPG results, the diagnosis of species and the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in these animals are important public-health issues. Other ruminant parasites, such as Oesophagostomum and Haemonchus, found in caprines and bovines, are reported to be causes of zoonosis and their presence in humans should be investigated in future field surveys in this area.
Highlights
Nematodes are an important group of parasites in ruminants
Lao PDR is located in a tropical area and has monsoon seasons; parasitic agents are considered to be a main cause of disease within production animals, as well as zoonosis in humans, as described previously (SATO et al, 2010, 2011; LATTES et al, 2011)
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode infections was based on faecal egg counts (FECs), expressed in eggs per gram of faeces (EPG)
Summary
Nematodes are an important group of parasites in ruminants. Due to their high prevalence and pathogenicity, the Strongyloidea (which includes trichostrongylids and strongilids) is considered the most important parasite group. Clinical signs in animals with worm infections include hyporexia or anorexia and modification in the digestibility of food, due to damage caused to the digestive tract’s lumen. These alterations are reflected by decreases in production and quality of milk and meat, in the host’s work capacity and reproductive efficiency, and by the premature death of infected animals (HOLMES, 1985). Lao PDR is located in a tropical area and has monsoon seasons; parasitic agents are considered to be a main cause of disease within production animals ( reducing milk and meat production), as well as zoonosis in humans, as described previously (SATO et al, 2010, 2011; LATTES et al, 2011). This report describes the putative origin of human trichostrongylosis, a important parasitic zoonosis in this region, and suggests haemonchosis and oesophagostomosis as possible zoonotic parasitic diseases in the studied area
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