Mean Eggs Per Gram Research Articles

Effects of triclabendazole and nitroxynil on EPG, hematological parameters and body weight against fascioliasis in goats at government goat development farm, Sylhet, Bangladesh

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of triclabendazole and nitroxynil against fascioliasis in goat for a period of 28 days on 20 black bengal goats. Among hundred goats, twenty were selected for this study which was suffering from liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica) infection and were marked by tagging. Twenty goats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) where each group comprising of five goats. Group A were treated with tablet fasinex (triclabendazole, Novartis Ltd, Bangladesh) orally at the dose rate of 12 mgkg-1body weight, group B were treated with acinex (triclabendazole, ACI Ltd, Bangladesh) orally at the dose rate of 12 mgkg-1body weight and group C were treated with nitronex injection (nitroxynil, Renata Ltd, Bangladesh) subcutaneously at the dose rate of 10 mgkg-1 body weight. Goats of group D was kept as infected control group without giving any treatment. A significant (P<0.01) reduction of egg per gram (EPG) count was found on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days of treated goats of group A, B and C, respectively. The EPG count of control group were significantly (P<0.01) increased 7 day onwards up to experimental period. Reduction of mean EPG on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after treatment in group A, B and C were 81.48%, 81.25% and 83.04%, respectively, whereas in control group the mean EPG were 22.43%. Of the hematological parameters, TEC, Hb and PCV values were lower on day 0 but turned to increase (p<0.01) on day 28 of the study. On the other hand, ESR and TLC were higher before treatment (day 0) but decreased significantly (p<0.01) on day 28.The body weight increased significantly (P<0.01) after treatments in group A, B and C respectively except untreated control. This result may indicate that three commercial anthelmintics contain triclabendazole and nitroxynil against fascioliasis in goat and nitroxynil have higher efficacies on egg per gram (EPG), hematological parameters and body weight against fascioliasis in goat. Additional detailed studies are required to prevent and control of fascioliasis in goats by using a routine prophylactic anthelmintics measurement.International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 46-51

Survey of Hymenolepis spp. in pet rodents in Italy.

We carried out the first survey of Hymenolepis spp. infection in pet rodents in Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 172 pet rodents as follows: guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus; n = 60), squirrels (Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus prevosti, Tamias striatus, Tamias sibiricus, Sciurus calorinensis; n = 52), hamsters (Phodopus campbelli, Mesocricetus auratus; n = 30), chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera; n = 13), rats (Rattus norvegicus; n = 10), and mice (Mus minutoides; n = 7). These animals were housed either in pet shops or in private houses. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to assess the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces. Eggs of Hymenolepis nana were found in 24 out of 172 (13.9%; 95% confidence interval = 9.3-20.2%) pet rodents. Of those rodents, 41.6% (10/24) were rats (mean EPG = 55.7; range = 2-200), 29.2% (7/24) mice (mean EPG = 64.5; range = 32-120), 25.0% (6/24) were chinchillas (mean EPG = 25.5; range = 10-50), and 4.2% (1/24) hamsters (P. campbelli) (EPG = 86.0). In addition, Hymenolepis diminuta eggs were found in 2 out of 172 (1.2%; 95% confidence interval = 0.2-4.6%) rodents examined, both of which (100%; 2/2) were pet squirrels (C. prevosti) (mean EPG = 10; range = 4-16). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of H. diminuta in pet squirrels.

Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of infestation with major gastrointestinal nematodes in equines in and around Shashemane, Southern Ethiopia.

Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of major gastrointestinal nematode infestation in equines were studied through a cross-sectional survey in 384 equids from October 2013 to April 2014 in and around Shashemane, southern Ethiopia. Three hundred and fifteen equids (82%) were demonstrated harbouring one or more gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes using the faecal flotation technique. The prevalence of GIT nematode infestation was 73.4, 85 and 86.5% for horses, mules and donkeys, respectively. The identified nematodes were strongyle type (73.4%), Parascaris equorum (21.4%) and Oxyuris equi (4.4%). Species of equines had a significant (χ (2) = 9.35, P < 0.01) association with the occurrence of GIT nematode infestation. Donkeys were two times (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.27-4.28, P < 0.01) more likely getting GIT nematode infestation than horses. Moreover, donkeys had the highest mean faecal egg counts (1831.2 egg per gram (EPG)) followed by mules (915.7 EPG) and horses (772.5 EPG). There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between mean EPG and body condition score in each equine species. In conclusion, this study provides information which might help in designing upcoming control strategies to control nematode infestation in equines. Moreover, suitable tropical climatic conditions, low level of management and owners' awareness, and poor animal health services are expected to contribute for high nematode infestation. Therefore, emphasis should be given to awareness creation about the strategic deworming, animal welfare and management.

Molecular identification and seasonal infections of species of Fasciola in ruminants from two provinces in China.

We determined the prevalence and seasonality of infections by Fasciola of goats and bovine species (cattle and water buffalo) in Hubei and Anhui provinces of China. Faecal samples were collected at 2- to 3-month intervals from 200 goats in Hubei province and from 152 bovine species in Anhui province. All faecal samples were examined for the presence of parasites. We determined the nucleotide sequences of the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of 39 Fasciola worms from Anhui province. The prevalence of Fasciola infection in goats ranged between 3.5 and 37.0%, with mean eggs per gram (EPG) ranging between 29.0 and 166.0. Prevalence and EPG exhibited downward trends over time with significant differences. The prevalence of Fasciola infection in cattle ranged between 13.3 and 46.2% (mean EPG, 36.4-100.0), and that of water buffalo ranged between 10.3 and 35.4% (mean EPG, 25.0-89.6), with a higher prevalence of infection and EPG from June to October compared with December to March. Analysis of ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences revealed that F. hepatica and F. gigantica were present in all bovine species of Anhui province and that F. gigantica mainly infected water buffalo. This is the first demonstration of Fasciola infection in Hubei province and detection of F. hepatica and F. gigantica in Anhui province. The present study of Hubei province shows that mass treatment of livestock with closantel sodium injections in April and August/September controlled Fasciola infection effectively.

Diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in Brazil: A comparison of different methodologies

The occurrence of anthelmintic resistance to levamisole, albendazole, ivermectin and moxidectin was investigated in cattle from 10 farms located in São Paulo State, Brazil, using two techniques for counting eggs in faeces: McMaster with a sensitivity of 50 eggs per gram (EPG) and FLOTAC with a sensitivity of two EPG. We also evaluated the use of different mathematical and test design approaches to determine the efficacy of the anthelmintic treatments: one formula/design that compares post-treatment arithmetic mean EPG counts for the treated and control groups (FECRT1) and two methods to analyse data from pre- and post-treatment EPG counts in the same group (FECRT2 and FECRT3, respectively). Treatment groups received either ivermectin (0.2mg/kg of body weight (BW); moxidectin (0.2mg/kg BW); albendazole (2.5mg/kg BW); levamisole (4.7mg/kg BW); or no treatment (control group). The number of animals in each group ranged from 8 to 11. Faecal samples from each animal were collected 2 days before the treatment and again 10 and 28 days post-treatment. The FEC reduction (FECR) confidence intervals were usually wider when based on data obtained using the McMaster method than when data were obtained using the FLOTAC method. Efficacy estimated from pre- and post-treatment EPG counts in the same group presented smaller confidence intervals. Ivermectin proved to be totally ineffective in all herds evaluated. Cooperia spp. was the major parasite displaying resistance, followed by Haemonchus spp. The results also indicated the presence of Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp., meaning they, too, were resistant to ivermectin. Resistance to moxidectin was found on nine of the 10 farms investigated; however, only three farms had previously used moxidectin. In contrast, albendazole and levamisole demonstrated high efficacy on the majority of farms. In surveys for anthelmintic resistance in cattle, the use of a diagnostic method with higher sensitivity to detect eggs is recommended, as is the case with the FLOTAC method. This study indicates that by using techniques with high sensitivity and by testing the same animals pre- and post-treatment, good precision can be achieved with group sizes from 8 to 11 animals.

Comparative clinical competence of two commercial injectable ivermectin against caprine haemonchosis (Haemonchus contortus)

The foremost purpose of the study reported here was to perform a pharmacological evaluation of two different injectable ivermectin formulations in goats infected with haemonchosis. Twenty one (n=21) goats were randomly divided into three groups A, B and C whereas each group consisted of seven (n=7) goats. Product A and Product B were injected subcutaneously to the goat in group A and group B, respectively. Goat in group C was kept as infected control group giving any treatment. With 7th, 14th, 21th and 28th days of treatment, a significantly (P<0.01) decreased of egg per gram (EPG) count was found in treated goat of group A and B, respectively. In experimental period, the EPG count of control group C were significantly (P<0.01) increased. In group A and B reduction of mean EPG on 7th, 14 th , 21 th and 28th day after treatment were 83.9%-80.8%, 81.7%-80.7, 78.1%-77.0% and 73.7%-61.2%, respectively, whereas in control group C the mean EPG were 6.7%, 9.2%, 21.4% and 30.9%, respectively. The body weight was increased significantly (P<0.01) after treatments in group A and B, respectively except untreated control group C. To sum up, two commercial products contain ivermectin have similar clinical competence against haemonchosis in goat.

Bovine trypanosomosis and gastrointestinal helminthosis in settlement villages of Bedele district, South-western Ethiopia

This cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2011 to March 2012 to assess the concurrent infections of bovine trypanosomosis with gastrointestinal (GI) helminthes in Peasant Associations of Bedele district settlement areas located in Illubabor Zone, Southwestern part of Ethiopia. A total of 500 randomly selected cattle were examined using Buffy Coat Technique and coprological examinations. Faecal examination was done by sedimentation and flotation techniques following the standard procedures to identify eggs of parasitic helminthes. Those faecal samples that were positive for flotation technique were subjected to eggs per gram (EPG) count using Mc Master egg counting technique and the degree of infestation was categorized as light, moderate and severe. Out of total cattle examined, 21(4.2%) were positive for Trypanosoma congolense and 321(64.2%) were found to harbor one or more gastrointestinal helminthes infection. Helminthes identified were Fasciola species (51.4%), paramphistomum species (18.7%), the protozoan Eimeria species (6.2%), Trichuris species (6.85%), Trichostrongyles (11 %) and mixed infections (6%). The overall mean PCV value recorded was 26.7±3.9 and it was 26.8±3.9 in trypanosome negative animals and 22.9±3.3 in trypanosome positive animals. The overall mean EPG recorded was 172±99.6. Among 21 cattle found positive for T. congolense, 18 (85.7%) were concurrently infected with (GI) helminthes particularly Fasciolosis (38.1%) and statistically there was significant association (P &lt; 0.05) between trypanososmosis and GI helminthes infection. Age and sex of sampled cattle were not found to influence GI helminthes prevalence (p&gt;0.05). Infection with T. congolense and Fasciola species is the most prevalent form of co-infection in cattle within study areas. In conclusion, any attempts to control or prevent trypanosomosis or GI helminthes infection through different management approaches, need to address the possibility of concurrent infections especially in trypanosomosis endemic areas to save the losses in advance.Key words: Bedele, Cattle, Concurrent, Ethiopia, GI helminthes, Trypanosomosis

Anthelmintic resistance impact on tropical beef cattle productivity: effect on weight gain of weaned calves

The performance of grazing cattle in tropical areas is deeply influenced by parasitism, and the increasing reports of resistance are a threat to effective nematode control. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of avermectins on the performance of weaned calves naturally infected by ivermectin-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes. The effect of four commercial endectocides (ivermectin 2.25% + abamectin 1.25%, ivermectin 3.15%, doramectin 3.15%, and doramectin 1%) on parasitism and performance of a hundred weaned Nellore calves were evaluated during 112days. The most effective anthelmintic showed efficacy of 84% and resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) of live weight gain of 11.85kg, compared to untreated group, 9.05 and 9.41kg compared to those treated with more ineffective avermectins which showed efficacy of 0 and 48.2%, respectively. A significant (P < 0.05) and weak negative correlation (r = -0.22) between the eggs per gram (EPG) and body weight was observed, indicating that even the low mean EPG (175 ± 150) observed at day 0 in the control group, with predominance of Haemonchus sp., was responsible for production losses. These results indicate that control of nematode parasites in beef cattle in the weaning phase may not result in increased productivity when carried out without technical criteria.

Point prevalence of bovine fascioliasis and the influence of chemotherapy on the milk yield in a lactating bovine population from the district of Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

This paper provides an estimation of the point prevalence of fascioliasis and its economic impact in terms of increased milk yield after chemotherapy of a bovine population from the district of Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 2400 cattle and buffaloes were examined quantitatively using the McMaster egg-counting technique. Infected cattle and buffaloes (50 of each) were randomly selected and each divided into two groups of 25 animals. Groups A (buffaloes) and C (cattle) were treated with oxyclozanide (orally, 16.6mgkg-1 body weight). Groups B and D served as negative controls for buffaloes and cattle, respectively. Pre- and post-treatment milk yield was recorded to determine if there were any changes in milk yield after treatment. Of 2400 faecal samples analysed, 654 (27.25%) were positive for Fasciola spp. with a mean number of eggs per gram (EPG) of 503.2. The point prevalence and worm burden of fascioliasis was significantly higher (OR=2.13; P<0.05) in buffaloes (34.58%; 415/1200; mean EPG maximum likelihood=521.4) as compared to that of cattle (19.92%; 239/1200; mean EPG maximum likelihood=415.8). Among the parasite species, F. gigantica (19.88%; 477/2400) was predominant (OR=3.12; P<0.05) as compared to F. hepatica (7.38%; 177/2400). An average daily increase of 0.67 and 0.87 litres of milk, with 0.41% and 0.37% more fat per animal, was observed in oxyclozanide-treated buffaloes and cattle, respectively. The economic value of reduced production of infected animals was estimated as US$0.33 and 0.32 per animal per day for cattle and buffaloes, respectively.

Analysis of nematode infection levels among indoor pigs in Thika District, Kenya

The infection levels of various species of nematode infection were studied in 35 indoor pig herds in Thika district, Kenya. Faecal samples were collected from 830 pigs of all ages and examined for nematode eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces using a modified McMaster technique. The infection intensity exhibited a binomial distribution with a majority of animals having only a light infection (EPG range = 0-500). The level of nematode infections was associated with the age of pigs. Thus, the highest mean EPG levels of Oesophagostomum spp. was 218 (SE = ±34), Ascaris suum 215 (SE = ±62), Trichuris suis 155(SE = ±66) and Strongyloides ransomi 24(SE = ±6) were found in adults, weaners, porkers and piglets respectively. The widest individual nematode species range of EPG values was found in T. suis (0 - 10,000) and A. suum (0 - 5300) infections. It is possible that the low EPG levels could be due to aggressive helminth control by local farmers. This could increase costs and possibly lead to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. To reduce these costs, it is recommended that animals should be treated after faecal examination and laboratory determination of the EPG levels.. Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 31 (2) 2007: pp. 54-58

Cross-sectional associations between intensity of animal and human infection with Schistosoma japonicum in Western Samar province, Philippines

To estimate the association between the intensity of animal infection with Schistosoma japonicum and human infection in Western Samar province, the Philippines. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of 1425 households in 50 villages. Stool samples were collected on each of 1-3 days from 5623 humans, 1275 cats, 1189 dogs, 1899 pigs, 663 rats and 873 water buffalo. Intensity of infection with S. japonicum was measured by the number of eggs per gram (EPG). Egg counts were done using the Kato-Katz method. We used a Bayesian hierarchical cumulative logit model, with adjustments for age, sex, occupation and measurement error. The adjusted proportions of humans lightly infected (classified as 1-100 EPG) was 17.7% (95% Bayesian credible interval = 15.3-20.2%); the proportion classified as at least moderately infected (>100 EPG) was 3.2% (2.2-4.6%). The crude parasitological results for animals indicated that 37 cats (2.9%), 228 dogs (19.2%), 39 pigs (2.1%), 199 rats (30.0%) and 28 water buffalo (3.2%) were infected. In univariate analyses the odds ratios corresponding to a unit increase in the mean number of EPG at the village-level in dogs was 1.05 (1.01-1.09), in cats 1.35 (1.02-1.78), in pigs 1.16 (0.24- 5.18) and in rats 1.00 (1.00-1.01). Mean EPG values in cats, dogs, pigs and rats were correlated with one another. This confounding made interpreting the odds ratios difficult, but the odds ratios for dogs and cats were more consistent. S. japonicum is endemic in areas of the Philippines despite implementation of control programmes. This may be due to the association of infections in dogs and cats with human infections. Infection control in dogs and cats is challenging, and there is a need to develop new methods to control transmission across all species.

Technical variability and required sample size of helminth egg isolation procedures

Measurements of parasite load are often very variable. This implies that little confidence can be attached to single measurements of parasite numbers and egg concentrations, and that many measurements are required for the detection of differences between groups of hosts or parasites. For studies that aim to detect these differences, it is important to increase the precision (closeness of repeated measures to each other) of parasite numbers, because it determines the number of samples that is needed to find significant differences among groups. In this study, sample sizes required to detect group differences were estimated using nematode egg counts of faecal samples of dairy cattle. They were found to be much lower for a centrifugation technique than for the widely used McMaster technique in replicate samples, in spite of a generally similar mean FEC. For example, the sample size required to detect FEC differences between groups of 10, 50, and 250 eggs per gram (EPG) were 46, 25, and 27 for the McMaster technique and 8, 5, and 12 for the SSF method, respectively. Interestingly, sample sizes required for faeces with a relatively high egg concentration (∼1000 EPG) were also considerably lower than for the McMaster technique in spite of a higher mean EPG of the latter method. This implies that technical variation can be reduced considerably by simple methods of egg isolation. Given that the range of egg concentration is similar for a number of nematodes of livestock and human helminths, a reduction of technical error will aid studies with many group comparisons such as vaccination strategies against parasites with typically low FECs and studies of the genetics of host resistance. It may also lead to improved guidelines for measures related to public health.

Baylisascaris procyonis (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea) eggs in raccoon (Procyon lotol) latrine scats in Orange County, California.

Baylisascaris procyonis is the common intestinal nematode of the raccoon and is well-recognized as a cause of visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans in many species of wild and domestic birds and mammals, including humans. To develop data on the prevalence of B. procyonis in Orange County, California, 800 distinct raccoon latrine sites were sampled in 4 spatial zones from 15 January to 31 December 2000. Counts of fecal eggs per gram (EPG) were determined and evaluated with reference to spatial zone and season of collection. No significant differences in EPG were noted among the spatial zones. However, EPG exhibited a significant rise (37,730 +/- 1,865) in the fall and a significant decline (26,204 +/- 1,446) in the winter (ANOVA, P = 0.045). The overall egg prevalence was 100%, and the overall mean EPG was 30,265 +/- 867.

Current status and the changing pattern of the prevalence of clonorchiasis in the inhabitants in Sanchong-gun, Kyongsangnam-do, Korea

This study was conducted to evaluate the current endemicity and the transition mode of the Clonorchis infection in Sanchong-gun Kyongsangnam-do. The areas of investigation, villages and schools surveyed, method and techniques used in this study were the same as in 1984. The egg positive rate of clonorchiasis in the general population of Sanchong-gun was 37.6% out of 837 examined persons. In the schoolchildren, the rate was 9.7% out of 145 persons examined. In the intensity of the infection among the cases, the mean EPG (Egg per gram of feces) in the inhabitants and schoolchildren were 3,310 (male 4,221, female 1,978) and 711 (male 620, female 833), respectively. Of the inhabitants with clonorchiasis, the cases of light infection (EPG < 1,000) and moderate infection (1,000 < EPG < 10,000) were 93.9%. The proportion with experience of eating raw freshwater-fish was 90.5% among the infecteds. Out of 138 inhabitants examined in both 1984 and 1992, the number of the positives by both examinations was 31 (22.5%), positive to negative conversion was 35 (25.4%), negative to positive conversion was 22 (15.9%). The present results reveal that there are no changes of the egg positive rate of clonorchiasis among inhabitants in Sanchong and the eating habit of raw freshwater-fish persists there. In this community, the eating habit is the most important problem to be solved for control of this endemic disease.