Gram Of Feces Research Articles

Evaluation of Grape Pomace Supplementation in Lamb Diets to Mitigate Haemonchus contortus Infection

This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits and feasibility of adding dried and ground grape pomace to the concentrate fed to lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Eighteen male Santa Inês lambs, recently weaned, were housed in individual pens and were allocated into two groups based on their body weight. The lambs in the supplemented group (n = 9) initially received a diet composed of 50% ground hay and 50% concentrate. Subsequently, these animals were gradually adapted to grape pomace until its final inclusion in the concentrate reached 20%. The lambs in the control group received a concentrate without grape pomace. Both groups of lambs were artificially infected with 4000 infective larvae of H. contortus, and 28 days later, the lambs were euthanized for quantification of the nematodes present in the abomasum. The following variables showed no statistical differences (p > 0.05) between the groups: worm burden, packed cell volume, total plasma protein, blood eosinophil count, and daily weight gain. Regarding anti-Haemonchus IgG plasma levels, there was a significant time * treatment interaction (p = 0.0099) with higher values in the supplemented group. At the two final samplings, the supplemented group showed significantly lower values of eggs per gram of feces than the control group (p < 0.05). The supplemented group showed female worms shorter and with less eggs in utero than those of the control group, with significant difference for these variables (p < 0.05). In conclusion, grape pomace can be included in the diet, as it promotes more sustainable animal production, and, additionally, it can cause a reduction in H. contortus fecundity, benefiting haemonchosis prophylaxis.

Modulation of Eimeria spp. parasite load on productivity parameters in lambs fed with babassu byproduct.

This study investigated the modulation of Eimeria spp. parasite load and its impact on productivity parameters in lambs fed varying levels of babassu by-product (BBP). Twenty-four Dorper × Santa Inês lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were divided into four groups and assigned to dietary treatments with increasing levels of BBP inclusion: Control group (0% BBP; n = 6), G1 (5% BBP; n = 6), G2 (10% BBP; n = 6), and G3 (15% BBP; n = 6). Fecal oocyst counts, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and apparent digestibility coefficients were monitored throughout the experiment. Results revealed that 9.5% BBP inclusion was associated with the lowest mean oocyst count per gram of feces, without compromising ADG. Nine Eimeria species were identified, with E. crandallis, E. parva and E. ovinoidalis being the most prevalent. Principal component analysis revealed a negative correlation between Eimeria spp. infection intensity and lamb performance, with higher BBP inclusion levels being associated with improved DMI, ADG, and digestibility. These findings suggest that dietary BBP at 9.5% inclusion effectively modulates Eimeria spp. parasite load in lambs while maintaining productivity. Although the exact mechanisms require further investigation, these results highlight BBP as a promising natural alternative for coccidiosis management in sheep production. This natural, sustainable approach offers a promising strategy for coccidiosis management in sheep, particularly in tropical and subtropical production systems.

Gut phages and their interactions with bacterial and mammalian hosts.

The mammalian gut microbiome is a dense and diverse community of microorganisms that reside in the distal gastrointestinal tract. In recent decades, the bacterial members of the gut microbiome have been the subject of intense research. Less well studied is the large community of bacteriophages that reside in the gut, which number in the billions of viral particles per gram of feces, and consist of considerable unknown viral "dark matter." This community of gut-residing bacteriophages, called the gut "phageome," plays a central role in the gut microbiome through predation and transformation of native gut bacteria, and through interactions with their mammalian hosts. In this review, we will summarize what is known about the composition and origins of the gut phageome, as well as its role in microbiome homeostasis and host health. Furthermore, we will outline the interactions of gut phages with their bacterial and mammalian hosts, and plot a course for the mechanistic study of these systems.

DIVERSITY AND BURDEN OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES IN GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Goat herds (Capra aegagrus hircus L.) are susceptible to various diseases. One of the most economically damaging in production systems is caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), which can alter the health, production, and welfare of the animals. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in goat production systems in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. The municipalities included in the study are located in the mountainous zone (Coatepec and Jalacingo), the highlands (Perote), and the coastal plain (Medellín). A cross-sectional study was conducted, and sampling was carried out during the period from November 2021 to May 2022. Two surveys were applied to farmers. A descriptive analysis was carried out on the characteristics of the production units (PUs). The McMaster technique was used to determine the presence of eggs, and the coproculture, Baermann, and larval identification techniques were used to determine the diversity of GINs. The analysis of the data obtained in the laboratory and the individual survey was carried out with a fixed effects model to analyze the parasite load. The independent variables were the PU, breed, physiological state, and body condition, and the dependent variables were eggs per gram of feces (Epgf) and its natural logarithm (ln (Epgf+1)). Three types of production systems were found: housed, semi-stabled, and grazing. The genera and species identified were Haemochus contortus, Teladorsagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Trichuris ovis, and Strongyloides papillosus. The Toggenburg breed had the highest nematode load, and all PUs had high parasite loads with counts greater than 700 Epgf. A great diversity and high loads of GINs were found in the goat PUs of the central zone of Veracruz.

Molecular detection of Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle: Comparison of sample processing and detection on ddPCR and qPCR platforms.

Faecal samples were obtained from 77 first season grazers from 20 Norwegian dairy herds in autumn 2020 for analysis of Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagi infection. Strongylid eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were determined for each sample and the samples underwent larval culture. DNA was extracted from the faeces at different stages of the culture preparation: from faecal slurry (FS), direct extraction before culture (DBC), and direct extraction after culture (DAC). Extracted DNA was subject to molecular assay for both C. oncophora and O. ostertagi using both a published ddPCR assay and a modified qPCR duplex assay targeting the ITS-2 gene. For C. oncophora, DBC samples contained significantly less ITS-2 copies than DAC and FS samples (p≤0.0001 for both) for qPCR, but not between DAC and FS samples (p=0.339). Droplet digital PCR with DBC samples yielded significantly fewer ITS-2 copies than DAC and FS samples (p≤0.0001). For O. ostertagi, the ITS-2 copies in DBC samples differed significantly from levels in DAC and FS samples on the qPCR platform (p=0.002 and 0.044, respectively) as was the case with ddPCR (p≤0.0001 and 0.0137). Overall, across the various processing techniques, C. oncophora results obtained on both ddPCR and qPCR platforms correlated with EPG better than was found for equivalent results for O. ostertagi and results are strongly indicative of poor correlation when EPG counts are low. Results from this study suggest that DAC faecal processing was of limited practical use.

Prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of paramphistomid species in sheep from a Spanish endemic area

BackgroundParamphistomids are ruminal trematodes that cause important losses in tropical and subtropical regions. However, their presence in Europe has increased significantly in recent decades. In northwestern Spain, this trend has been confirmed in cattle, but data in sheep are scarce and not updated. Moreover, the paramphistomid species affecting sheep in the area have never been molecularly identified. To evaluate the prevalence of paramphistomid infections in sheep from northwestern Spain, 826 faecal samples from 25 sheep farms were collected and analysed via coproscopic techniques. In addition, the rumens of 85 roe deer from the same area were examined to detect adult paramphistomids. The species present were molecularly identified. Multivariate analyses for identifying the risk factors affecting the prevalence and egg shedding of rumen flukes were also performed.ResultsOverall, 14% of the animals and 44% of the flocks were positive; the mean egg count was 20.5 eggs per gram of faeces. In contrast, no adult paramphistomids were found in roe deer. Older sheep, those from farms located in the central climatic area, without water throughs available on pastures and using their own manure to fertilize, were considered significantly more susceptible to infection with paramphistomids. With respect to egg shedding, animals from 37 to 72 months of age, farms under semiextensive management, and those coinfected with Fasciola hepatica presented significantly greater egg counts. Molecular identification revealed 100% similarity with Calicophoron daubneyi sequences from other European and Mediterranean countries.ConclusionsThe present study confirms the increase in the prevalence of paramphistomid infections in sheep in the area with high dissemination of the parasite, as previously reported in cattle, and represents the first molecular identification of C. daubneyi in sheep from Spain. Our results demonstrate that special attention should be given to adult animals since they are the main carriers and are responsible for environmental contamination. In addition, detecting risk areas and applying effective control management measures such as the installation of watering points on pastures seems essential for limiting infections in livestock, especially in sheep, since they are susceptible to developing clinical paramphistomidosis at any time in their lives. The absence of adult flukes in roe deer suggests that they represent less suitable hosts for this trematode than cattle and sheep, although more robust studies monitoring the situation in sympatric areas with domestic ruminants are needed.

Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection, and contributing factors in Alamata district of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.

Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni continues to be a significant public health problem in Ethiopia. This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of S.mansoni infection, and contributing factors in Alamata district of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 1762 participants were enrolled from five clusters in Alamata district. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and risk factors. Stool samples were examined using Kato-katz technique to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Median, inter quartile range (IQR), mean, frequency, and percentage were used to descriptively summarize data. The Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the differences in mean rank of egg load between different groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between the odds of being infected with S.mansoni and the different socio-demographic and other factors. The strength of these associations was reported using odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, and a P-value below 5% was used to report statistical significance. Out of 1762 residents included in the study 941 (53.4%) were females. The age varied from 5-80 years, with a median age of 25 years (IQR = 27), the overall prevalence of S.mansoni was 21.5% with males accounting for 26% (204/821) of the infections. The proportion of infection was higher among the age groups of 15-19 and 20-29 years at 32.7% and 33.1%, respectively. The mean egg count among the infected study participants was 146.82 eggs per gram of feces (epg) ± (243.17 SD). Factors significantly associated with increased odds of infection were living in Waja cluster (AOR:8.9; 95% CI, 3.5-23.2; P< 0.001); being in the age groups 10-14 (AOR:6.0, 95% CI: 3.1-11.7, P<0.001), 15-19 (AOR:5.8, 95% CI:2.8-12.2, P<0.001), and 20-29 (AOR:3.5, 95% CI:1.8-6.8; P<0.001) years; having direct contact with water while crossing river (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5-3.8, P<0.001); and swimming (AOR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.01-2.0, P = 0.035). The study indicates a notable S.mansoni burden in the area, driven by various risk factors. To effectively address this, enhancing diagnostics, implementing targeted mass drug administration, and conducting comprehensive health education campaigns on disease transmission routes are imperative.

Effect of stimbiotic on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, oocyst shedding, blood profiles, and intestinal microbiota in necrotic enteritis-challenged broiler

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of stimbiotic (STB) in broilers with necrotic enteritis (NE). A total of 180 one-day-old Arbor Acres (initial body weight of 34.81 ± 1.04 g) were used in this experiment for 32 days. All broilers were randomly allocated into six treatments, and each experimental group had 10 replicate cages with three broilers per cage. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 3 factorial design consisting of two levels of challenge (challenge and non-challenge) and three levels of STB (0, 0.05, and 0.1%). The NE challenge significantly decreased (P < 0.05) growth performance, heterophil levels in blood, and intestinal lesion scores compared to the non-challenge group. Supplementation of 0.05% STB significantly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and the number of oocysts per gram of feces compared to the supplementation of 0 and 0.1% STB. At the genus level, the supplementation of 0.05% STB significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Enterobacterales compared to the other groups on d 32. In conclusion, supplementation with 0.05% STB in a diet could positively regulate the fecal microflora and alleviate the decline in growth performance and nutrient digestibility caused by NE.

Efeito do uso da Promixalicina no controle de verminose e parâmetros sanguíneos de ovelhas

Sheep producers are increasingly looking for strategies to tackle the problem of worms in animals, as well as to improve the functioning of the animals' immune system. Therefore, two experiments were carried out, in two different properties (with high and low challenges in relation to verminosis) with the objective of, in both, evaluating the effect of using Ovine Promixalicin on OPG (Eggs per gram of Feces) and blood parameters of pregnant and non-pregnant sheep, on two different properties. The indication for use of the product is to, among others, contribute to the control of verminosis. The animals evaluated on the properties came from a pasture production system, with the use of concentrated and/or roughage supplementation if necessary. The animals used were of the Dorper, Texel, Ile de France and Sulfolk breed. The parameters evaluated were OPG, Famacha©, Body Condition Score and blood parameters (lymphocytes, leukocytes and erythrocytes). In relation to experiment one, with a low challenge in relation to worms, the use of Promyxalicin significantly helped to reduce worms and animal well-being, thus helping the herd to increase productive parameters such as weight gain and fertility. In experiment 2, a system with a high challenge in terms of verminosis, the animals remained uniform and controlled by the use of Promyxalicin, including beneficial results in relation to blood parameters, which did not increase during its use. Therefore, the use of Ovine Promixalicin does not alter the consumption of food by animals, as well as being effective in controlling verminosis, including Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colobriformis, Oesophagostomum columbianum e Strongyloides papillosus, promoting well-being and maintenance of the immune system, especially in pregnant animals, bringing benefits to the sheep production system.

Partial Protection of Goats against Haemonchus contortus Achieved with ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1 Encapsulated in PLGA Nanoparticles.

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus), a nematode with global prevalence, poses a major threat to the gastrointestinal health of sheep and goats. In an effort to combat this parasite, a nanovaccine was created using a recombinant ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) antigen encapsulated within poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this nanovaccine in providing protection against H. contortus infection. Fifteen goats were randomly divided into three groups. The experimental group received two doses of the PLGA encapsulated rHcARF1 (rHcARF1-PLGA) nanovaccine on days 0 and 14. Fourteen days after the second immunization, both the experimental and positive control groups were challenged with 8000 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus, while the negative control group remained unvaccinated and unchallenged. At the end of the experiment on the 63rd day, all animals were humanly euthanized. The results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher levels of sera IgG, IgA, and IgE antibodies, as well as increased concentrations of cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-9, IL-17, and TGF-β, compared to the negative control group after immunization. Following the L3 challenge, the experimental group exhibited a 47.5% reduction in mean eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and a 55.7% reduction in worm burden as compared to the positive control group. These findings indicate that the nanovaccine expressing rHcARF1 offers significant protective efficacy against H. contortus infection in goats. The results also suggest the need for more precise optimization of the antigen dose or a reassessment of the vaccination regimen. Additionally, the small sample size limits the statistical rigor and the broader applicability of the findings.

Longitudinal wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 during 2023 in Ethiopia.

Although wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) successfully functioned as a tool for monitoring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic globally, relatively little is known about its utility in low-income countries. This study aimed to quantify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater, estimate the number of infected individuals in the catchment areas, and correlate the results with the clinically reported COVID-19 cases in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 323 influent and 33 effluent wastewater samples were collected from three Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) using a 24-h composite Moore swab sampling method from February to November 2023. The virus was captured using Ceres Nanotrap® Enhancement Reagent 2 and Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles, and then nucleic acids were extracted using the Qiagen QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit. The ThermoFisher TaqPath™ COVID-19 kit was applied to perform real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater viral concentrations were normalized using flow rate and number of people served. In the sampling period, spearman correlation was used to compare the SARS-CoV-2 target gene concentration to the reported COVID-19 cases. The numbers of infected individuals under each treatment plant were calculated considering the target genes' concentration, the flow rate of treatment plants, a gram of feces per person-day, and RNA copies per gram of feces. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 94% of untreated wastewater samples. All effluent wastewater samples (n = 22) from the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology were SARS-COV-2 RNA negative. In contrast, two out of 11 effluents from Waste Stabilization Pond were found positive. Positive correlations were observed between the weekly average SARS-CoV-2 concentration and the cumulative weekly reported COVID-19 cases in Addis Ababa. The estimated number of infected people in the Kality Treatment catchment area was 330 times the number of COVID-19 cases reported during the study period in Addis Ababa. This study revealed that SARS-CoV-2 was circulating in the community and confirmed previous reports of more asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia. Additionally, this study provides further evidence of the importance of wastewater-based surveillance in general to monitor infectious diseases in low-income settings. Wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 can be a useful method for tracking the increment of COVID-19 cases before it spreads widely throughout the community.

Control and elimination of Schistosoma mansoni infection in adult individuals on Ukerewe island, northwestern Tanzania: baseline results before implementation of intervention measures

BackgroundCommunities living along the shoreline and on the islands of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania remain endemic for schistosomiasis and suffer from the life-threatening morbidities associated with the disease. Nevertheless, the control measures particularly the mass drug administration do not cover the adult population. The current project on Ukerewe island aims to close this gap by involving adult community members in the control program. Here we report the baseline results of S. mansoni infection and associated hepatosplenic morbidities and factors before implementing the project activities.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 4,043 participants aged ≥ 18 years living in 20 villages on Ukerewe island, northwestern Tanzania. Individual stool and urine samples were collected and examined using the Kato-Katz (KK) technique and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen testing(POC-CCA) to identify S. mansoni eggs and antigens, respectively. All study participants underwent ultrasound evaluation of S. mansoni hepatosplenic morbidities using the Niamey protocol. Rapid diagnostic tests were used to diagnose HIV infection, hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and reported clinical symptoms of study participants.ResultsA total of 4,043 participants took part in the study, of which 49.7% (n = 2,009) and 50.3% (n = 2,035) were male and female, respectively. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 30.4% (95%CI:29.0-31.9%) and 84.7% (95%CI:83.3–85.9%), respectively, based on the KK technique and the POC-CCA test. The geometrical mean eggs per gram of faeces (GMepg) was 105.3 (95%CI:98.7-112.3% GMepg) with 53.9%, 32.4% and 13.7% of the participants having mild, had moderate and severe intensity of infection. The prevalence of hepatitis C, HIV, and hepatitis B was 0.4%, 2.2% and 4.7%, with 0.2%, 2.2% and 5.4% of the infected individuals coexisting with S. mansoni infection. The prevalence of splenomegaly, periportal fibrosis, hepatomegaly, and portal vein dilatation was 40.5%(95%CI: 38.8–42.1%), 48.1%(95%CI:64.4–49.7%), 66.2%(95%CI:4.6–67.7%) and 67.7%(95%CI:66.2–69.2%), with their prevalence varying depending on the demographic information and infection status of the participants. Other detectable ultrasound-related morbidities included ascites (1.7%), collateral veins (18.3%) and gall bladder wall thickness (40.4%). Age groups, gender, reported clinical characteristics, reported non-use of the drug praziquantel, liver imaging pattern, and place of residence remained independently associated with hepatosplenic morbidities.ConclusionThe current study setting is endemic for S. mansoni infection and the population has a high prevalence of the disease associated hepatosplenic morbidities characterized by hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, gall bladder wall thickening, periportal fibrosis and portal vein dilatation. Several demographic, clinical and epidemiological circumstances remained independently associated with S. mansoni infection and associated morbidities. These findings call for integrative intervention efforts, starting with whole community MDA that includes all out of schools community members.

Efficacy of a pharmaceutically alginate-coated phytoremedy (black garlic and turmeric) for the control of natural coccidia infestation in turkeys

In searching for herbal alternatives for treating coccidiosis in turkeys, this trial aimed to evaluate whether minced black garlic (Allium sativa) or turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) or their combination, included in dried alginate beads, controlling clinical coccidiosis in turkey male poults. A total of 150 twelve-day-old male turkeys were randomly distributed into 15 pens of 10 turkeys per pen. Groups were: CTR = control untreated turkeys; GAR = turkeys fed 4 % of their diet with minced garlic included in dried alginate beads; CUR = treated fed 4 % powder curcuma, also prepared as dried alginate beads; GA = containing only alginate), and GC= turkeys fed 8 % of their diet with the mixture of minced black garlic plus powder curcuma (4 %), entrapped in dried alginate beads. Treatments were incorporated as feed-dressing, considering their mean feed intake. Results reveal that turkeys in group GC showed a significant decrease in oocysts per gram of feces during the first six weeks of age compared to values found in the CTR group and the other treatments. These results identify that in turkey poults, there is a statistically significant anticoccidial activity of the combination of minced garlic plus powder curcuma, included in alginate beads and administered as 4 % of their feed intake. Additionally, better productive variables were recorded for this combination compared to the other three groups (P &lt; 0.05). The use of vehicles for the digestive tract of turkeys may improve the effectiveness of plant extracts for the control of coccidiosis.

Revisiting immunity vs. exposure in schistosomiasis: A mathematical modeling study of delayed concomitant immunity.

The relative contributions of exposure vs. acquired immunity to the epidemiology of human schistosomiasis has been long debated. While there is considerable evidence that humans acquire partial immunity to infection, age- and sex-related contact patterns with water bodies contaminated with infectious cercarial schistosome larvae also contribute to typical epidemiological profiles of infection. Here, we develop a novel schistosome transmission model that incorporates both partially protective "delayed concomitant" acquired immunity-stimulated by dying worms-and host age- and sex-dependent patterns of exposure. We use a contemporary Bayesian approach to fit the model to historical individual data on exposure to infectious cercaria, eggs per gram of feces, and immunoglobulin E antibodies specific to Schistosoma mansoni Tegumental-Allergen-Like protein 1 collected from a highly endemic community in Uganda, estimating the relative contributions of exposure and acquired immunity. We find that model variants incorporating or omitting delayed concomitant immunity describe equally well the age- and sex-specific immunoepidemiological patterns observed before intervention and 18 months after treatment. Over longer time horizons, we find that acquired immunity creates subtle differences in immunoepidemiological profiles during routine mass drug administration that may confer resilience against elimination. We discuss our findings in the broader context of the immunoepidemiology of schistosomiasis.

Cryptosporidiosis in puppies: clinical and epizootical characteristics

Gastrointestinal diseases of puppies aged 2–6 months account for 62% of all pathologies of these animals registered in the clinic. The lifestyle of dogs is associated with close tactile contact with the environment. The presence of protozoa in the digestive tract causes the inclusion of its representatives in the pathological process, which leads to the complication of disorders that have arisen due to various etiological factors. The study aimed to determine the role of the ubiquitous protozoa Cryptosporidium spp. in the pathogenesis of digestive tract diseases in puppies. General clinical, laboratory tests of blood (haematological, biochemical), faeces (coprogram, parasitological), statistical processing were performed. It was found that protozoa were detected in 52 % of sick animals with digestive disorders. The protozoan fauna included Cryptosporidium spp. (100 %), Isospora spp. (29 %), Giardia lamblia (21 %). Animals with cryptosporidium were examined without associations. The manifestation of the disease was noted most often in puppies with weak immune system functions, especially in the age group of 4–5 months, which is associated with the period of tooth change and a decrease in the overall immunological reactivity of the body. Clinically, the disease is characterized by enteritis development with accompanying symptoms. A characteristic clinical sign that should guide further diagnostic search is watery diarrhoea with an unpleasant odour, foamy, mucus, sometimes blood streaks. Laboratory findings include hypoalbuminemia with a decrease in the albumin-globulin ratio, hyperbilirubinaemia due to conjugated bilirubin, hyperfermentation of indicator enzymes of the liver and pancreas, and uremia. Such indicators indicate concomitant insufficiency of the digestive glands – the liver and pancreas, and a general inflammatory reaction. In coprological diagnostics, the qualitative data of the coprogramme confirm the lesions of the small intestine, liver and pancreas. Examination of fecal smears stained by the Ziehl-Nielsen method revealed cryptosporidium oocysts. The average intensity of invasion was 786.4 ± 23.1 oocysts per gram of feces.

Anticipating the potential distribution of Fasciola spp. in Gilan province of Iran: Insights from MaxEnt and climate change scenarios

Fasciolosis, a parasitic disease affecting humans and animals, is uniquely influenced by climatic and environmental factors. Gilan province in northern Iran is recognized as a high-endemic area for this parasite. This study aims to assess the prevalence of fasciolosis in Gilan province during the current period and forecast the distribution pattern of the parasite in future periods by analyzing climatic variables and identifying the most critical factors impacting Fasciola. To evaluate the present status of fasciolosis in Gilan, we collected 189 sheep fecal samples from different parts of the province and quantified eggs per gram of feces in each sample. Meteorological and environmental data were obtained and clipped to the study area. A total of 19 presence points were used to model the habitat suitability of Fasciola spp. through the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm, with jackknife analysis to determine variable importance. To project the potential distribution of Fasciola spp. in Gilan province under future scenarios, we employed MaxEnt using current (1970–2000) and projected climatic data based on three representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5) to predict habitat suitability in 2030, 2050, and 2070.The results of this study indicate the proportion of Fasciola spp. infection was highest in Talesh (46.37 %) and Langarud (45.7 %), while Rudsar (0 %) and Shaft (16.25 %) exhibited the lowest infection rates in Gilan province. MaxEnt modeling highlighted the significance of bioclimatic variables, particularly those associated with vegetation and temperature, such as temperature seasonality (Bio4) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The ecological niche modeling illustrated that the highest potential distribution for Fasciola in Gilan province is concentrated in the north-western and central regions, exhibiting an 80–100 % potential. However, projections for the future indicate a decrease to less than 20 % suitability for most of the province under all three scenarios until 2070. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between climatic variables and Fasciola distribution, enabling better preparedness and control strategies for this trematode in Gilan province and other regions with similar climates.

Prevalence and Degree Trematoda Infection in Dairy Cattle Friesian Holstein at Koperasi Usaha Tani Ternak Suka Makmur Pasuruan

Trematode worm infections in dairy cattle have not been widely reported in various regions in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the prevalence and degree of trematode worm infection in Friesian Holstein dairy cattle at KUTT Suka Makmur, Pasuruan. The research design used survey study and cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in July-September 2023. The number of samples taken was 100, which were selected from proportional random sampling of four sub-districts, namely Grati, Nguling, Lekok, and Lumbang, with the age ranges under a year, 1-2 years, and above 2 years. The sample were examined using the sedimentation method and Flukenfinder® method. Positive samples were further examined using the McMaster method to determine the number of worm eggs per gram of feces. The results of this study obtained a prevalence of 54% with low and moderate degrees of infection. The trematode worm species found through fecal examination were Fasciola gigantica and Paramphistomum cervi. The results of chi square statistical analysis showed that sample examination method and age were related to the prevalence of trematode worms, yet location was not related to the prevalence of trematode worms. The results of kruskal wallis statistical analysis showed that age and location influence the degree of trematode worm infection.

Development of a PCR assay for detection and identification of Eimeria spp. in cattle

Eimeria spp. are important coccidian parasites causing diarrhea and significant mortality in cattle worldwide. To date, at least 13 Eimeria species with varying pathogenicity have been identified in cattle. Efficient detection and identification of Eimeria spp. is therefore essential for the prevention and control of bovine coccidiosis. However, the commonly used microscopic examination for Eimeria spp. is time-consuming and requires considerable expertise. In this study, we aligned the nucleotide sequences of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of common Eimeria species and developed a nested PCR assay targeting the polymorphic SSU rRNA region of Eimeria spp. from cattle. Initially, the SSU rRNA gene PCR assay was compared with microscopic examination for sensitivity and detection range of Eimeria species using fecal samples from dairy cattle. Of the 193 fecal samples, 131 (67.9 %) and 78 (40.4 %) were positive for Eimeria by PCR and microscopy, respectively. Sequence analysis of the PCR products identified six Eimeria species, including E. cylindrica (n = 76), E. bovis (n = 54), E. auburnensis (n = 30), E. zuernii (n = 25), E. wyomingensis (n = 10), E. canadensis (n = 1), and co-infections of 2–4 species (n = 55). In contrast, only the first four species and co-infections of 2–3 species were identified by microscopy. The PCR assay was able to detect as few as 50 Eimeria oocysts per gram of feces. Thus, the developed SSU rRNA gene PCR assay has a high sensitivity and allowed easy identification of at least six common Eimeria species and their co-infections in cattle. It should be useful in molecular epidemiological studies of bovine coccidiosis.

Beef cattle mating recommendation based on bioeconomic models

Recognizing the pivotal role of mating in animal breeding, this study strives to establish a robust strategy for recommending optimal matings among bovines. This strategy is built to maximize a single value derived from the economic selection index of full-cycle system in Brangus cattle. The study endeavors to apply computational methodologies to explore economically significant traits comprehensively, thereby leading to amplified financial gains for Brangus cattle breeders. Anchored within this overarching objective, a strategic deployment of a genetic algorithm is employed to formulate mating recommendations that precisely align with the priority traits designated by the genetic evaluation program of the Brazilian Brangus Association (BBA). The data set of the BBA for the simulations in this study encompass a range of selection criteria, including: i) birth weight; ii) mature cow weight; iii) ribeye area; iv) subcutaneous fat thickness; v) subcutaneous fat thickness at the rump; vi) escape speed; vii) nematode egg count per gram of feces; and viii) tick count. The research findings underscore that the recommendations provided by the computational strategy converge to increase the bioeconomic index while controlling the trade-off between this index and progeny inbreeding.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of Combretum mucronatum schumach & Thonn leaf extract against Haemonchus contortus in goats

Parasitic infections with gastrointestinal nematodes are a serious problem for the health and welfare of domestic animals and negatively affect the economics of animal production. Haemonchus contortus is a haematophagous nematode of small ruminants responsible for significant mortality and morbidity. In addition, the widespread resistance to synthetic anthelmintic drugs emphasizes the urgent need of alternative treatment options against haemonchosis. This work aims to investigate the anthelmintic activity of an hydroethanolic Combretum mucronatum leaf extract (CMLE) against Haemonchus contortus in goats. Goats were artificially infected with 3500 third-stage larvae of H. contortus, and 21 days later, treated with CMLE (1000, 500, 250 mg/kg) for 4 consecutive days. Different parameters such as faecal egg count reduction, weight and haematocrit were monitored during the experimental period. The number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) was concentration-depended lower and significantly reduced compared to the untreated control (p < 0.0001). The effect of the highest CMLE dose (4 ×1000 mg/kg body weight) was similar to the effect of albendazole (1 ×5 mg/kg of body weight). The ED50 and ED90 values calculated were 189.17 and 392.33 mg/kg body weight respectively. ED50 and ED90 values were time-dependent. Moreover, CMLE improved haematocrit and weight of goats in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. These results showed that CMLE could be used for haemonchosis treatment in small ruminants.