Nematodes Of Goats Research Articles

Interactions between nutrition and gastrointestinal infections with parasitic nematodes in goats

Parasitic nematodes of the digestive tract remain one of the main constraints to goat production both in temperate and tropical countries. The usual mode of control of these gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) based on the repeated use of anthelmintics is now strongly questioned because of the increasing development of resistance to these molecules. Among the alternative methods to anthelmintics currently available, the manipulation of host nutrition in order to improve the host resistance and/or resilience to parasitic infections seems to represent one of the most promising options to reduce the dependence on conventional chemotherapy and to favour the sustainable control of gastro intestinal nematode infections. This paper will review the available information on the interactions between nutrition and nematode parasitism in dairy or meat goats both in temperate and tropical conditions. It will refer to quantitative aspects of the diet (influence of the protein and/or energy parts) as well as to qualitative components (effects of plant secondary metabolites on worm biology) and will discuss the specificities of goats in regard of theses interactions.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a Mexican strain of Duddingtonia flagrans as a biological control agent against gastrointestinal nematodes in goat faeces

The use of Duddingtonia flagrans in the control of goat nematodes was investigated. Initially, the time of passage of chlamydospores through the digestive tract of goats was evaluated. Two groups of seven parasite-free kids were formed. Group A received a single dose of 3.5x10(6) D. flagrans chlamydospores (FTHO-8 strain) per kg of live weight. Group B did not receive any chlamydospores. Faeces were obtained from each kid daily from day 4 prior to inoculation until day 5 post-inoculation (PI) and were placed in Petri dishes containing water agar. Gastrointestinal nematode infective larvae were added to each Petri dish and incubated at 25 degrees C for 7 days. Petri dishes were examined to detect the fungus and trapped nematodes. A second trial evaluated the effect of D. flagrans on the number of gastrointestinal nematode larvae harvested from goat faecal cultures in naturally infected goats. Two groups of seven goats were formed. The treated group received a single dose of 3.5x10(6) D. flagrans chlamydospores per kg of liveweight. The control group did not receive any chlamydospores. Faeces were obtained twice daily from each kid. Two faecal cultures were made for each kid. One was incubated for 7 days and the other for 14 days. Gastrointestinal nematode larvae were recovered from each culture and counted. Percentage of larval development reduction was determined using a ratio of larvae/eggs deposited in the control and treated groups. Duddingtonia flagrans survived the digestive process of goats, and maintained its predatory activity, being observed from 21 to 81 h PI (3 to 4 days). A reduction in the infective larvae population in the treated group compared to the non-treated group was observed in both incubation periods (7 days: 5.3-36.0%; 14 days: 0-52.8%, P>0.05). Although a single inoculation of D. flagrans can induce a reduction of infective larvae collected from faeces, a different scheme of dosing may be needed to enhance the efficacy of D. flagrans in goats.

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats in the low potential areas of Thika District, Kenya

EPIDEMIOLOGIE DES NEMATODES GASTRO-INTESTINAUX CHEZ LES CHEVRES DANS LES ZONES A FAIBLES POTENTIALITES DU DISTRICT DE THIKA Résumé La prévalence et l'intensité des infections par les nématodes gastro-intestinaux chez les chèvres dans quatre petites fermes (< 5ha avec moins de 30 chèvres) dans les zones à faibles potentialités du district de Thika au Kenya, ont fait l'objet d'études pendant un an. La prévalence et l'intensité des infections variaient selon les fermes et les conditions atmosphériques. Les différences relatives aux groupes d'âge étaient notables uniquement pendant la saison sèche lorsque le nombre d'oeufs de nématodes par gramme de fèces était plus élevé chez les chevreaux que chez les jeunes et les adultes. Le nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces augmentait pendant les longues pluies (avril-juin) et durant les courtes et fortes pluies vers la fin de la période d'étude (novembre-février). Des traitements anthelminthiques ont été administrés à toutes les chèvres dans les fermes en fonction du nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces. Quatre traitements ont été donnés pendant la saison des pluies et un traitement à la fin de la saison sèche en septembre, et il s'ensuivait une réduction du nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces. Haemonchus contortus était le principal nématode recueilli des coprocultures. Il a été conclu que la prévalence et l'intensité des infections par les helminthes gastro-intestinaux chez les chèvres dans cette région variaient avec les saisons et que Haemonchus contortus était le principal nématode qui infectait les chèvres. Summary The prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats in four small scale farms (< 5ha each with less than 30 goats) in the low potential areas of Thika District, Kenya, was studied over a period of one year. The prevalence and intensity of infection varied with the farms and the weather conditions. The differences in the age groups were observed only during the dry season when the kids had higher eggs per gram of faeces (EPG's) than the young and the adults. There was a rise in faecal egg counts during the long rains (April - June) and during the heavy short rains experienced towards the end of the study period (November - February). Anthelmintic treatments were given to all the goats on the farms depending on the level of the faecal egg counts. Four treatments were given during the rainy season (months) and one at the end of the dry season in September. These treatments were followed by reduced faecal egg counts. Haemonchus contortus was the main nematode recovered from coprocultures. It was concluded that the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminth infection in goats in this area varied with seasons and that H. contortus was the main nematode infecting the goats. Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2004) 53,5-12

Evaluation of the efficacy of moxidectin in a herd of goats after long-standing consistent use

Two trials were carried out in a herd of goats, where moxidectin had been consistently used for a long-standing period, in order to monitor its field efficacy. Trial I was carried out after the drug had been used for 4 years/13 times and trial II after it had been used for 7 years/23 times. In each trial, 90 goats naturally infested with gastrointestinal nematodes were divided into three groups ( n = 30) and treated as follows: groups I-A and II-A with moxidectin 1% injectable solution at a dose rate of 0.2 mg kg −1 bodyweight, groups I-B and II-B with moxidectin 0.1% oral drench at a dose rate of 0.2 mg kg −1 bodyweight, groups I-C and II-C were kept as untreated controls. Before treatment, mean faecal epg counts were >350.0 for all groups, whilst 14 days later, mean faecal epg counts were 0.0 for groups I-A, II-A, I-B and II-B (percentage reduction after moxidectin administration 100%); 56 days after treatment, mean faecal epg counts were <30.0 for groups I-A, II-A, I-B and II-B (percentage reduction after moxidectin administration >93.5%). Coprocultures revealed the following genera of nematodes in faecal samples Trichostrongylus spp., Teladorsagia spp., Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum spp. and Bunostomum spp. It is concluded that injectable and oral moxidectin are effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in goats at the dose rate of 0.2 mg kg −1 bodyweight.

Capability of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes in goat feces in the southeastern United States: dose titration and dose time interval studies

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes, particularly Haemonchus contortus, is a major constraint to goat production in the southeastern United States. Non-anthelmintic control alternatives are needed due to increasing resistance of these nematodes to available anthelmintics. Two studies were completed in Central Georgia in August 1999, and April–May 2000, using Spanish does naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus, Trichostongylus colubriformis, and Cooperia spp. to evaluate effectiveness of nematode-trapping fungi as a biological control agent. In the first experiment, five levels of Duddingtonia flagrans spores were mixed with a complete diet and fed once daily to the does (three per treatment) in metabolism crates. The treatment concentrations were (1) 5×10 5, (2) 2.5×10 5, (3) 10 5, and (4) 5×10 4 spores per kilogram body weight (BW), and (5) no spores. Fungal spores were fed for the first 7 days of the 14-day trial, and fecal samples were collected daily from individual animals for analysis of fecal egg count and establishment of fecal cultures. Efficacy of the fungus at reducing development of infective larvae (L3) in the fecal cultures was evaluated. The mean reduction in L3 from day 2 of the treatment period until the day after treatment stopped (days 2–8) was 93.6, 80.2, 84.1, and 60.8% for animals given the highest to lowest spore doses, respectively. Within 3–6 days after termination of fungal spore feedings, reduction in L3 development was no longer apparent in any of the treated animals. In a second experiment, effectiveness of 2.5×10 5 spores of D. flagrans per kilogram BW fed to does every day, every second day, and every third day was evaluated. Reduction in L3 development by daily feeding was less in the second experiment than in the first experiment. Daily fungal spore feeding provided more consistent larval reduction than intermittant feeding (every second or third day). When fed daily under controlled conditions, D. flagrans was effective in significantly reducing development of L3 and appears to be an effective tool for biocontrol of parasitic nematodes in goats.

Evaluation of prevalence and clinical implications of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes in goats.

To determine prevalence of resistance to all anthelmintics that are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in goats. Prospective study. 777 goats. On each farm, goats were assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups: untreated controls, albendazole (20 mg/kg [9.0 mg/lb], p.o., once), ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg [0.18 mg/lb], p.o., once), levamisole (12 mg/kg [5.4 mg/lb], p.o., once), or moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg, p.o., once), except on 3 farms where albendazole was omitted. Fecal samples were collected 2 weeks after treatment for determination of fecal egg counts (FECs), and percentage reductions were calculated by comparing data from anthelmintic-treated and control groups. Nematode populations were categorized as susceptible, suspected resistant, or resistant by use of guidelines published by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. Resistance to albendazole was found on 14 of 15 farms, and resistance to ivermectin, levamisole, and moxidectin was found on 17, 6, and 1 of 18 farms, respectively. Suspected resistance to levamisole and moxidectin was found on 4 and 3 farms, respectively. Resistance to multiple anthelmintics (albendazole and ivermectin) was found on 14 of 15 farms and to albendazole, ivermectin, and levamisole on 5 of 15 farms. Mean overall FEC reduction percentages for albendazole, ivermectin, levamisole, and moxidectin were 67, 54, 94, and 99%, respectively. Anthelmintic resistance in GINs of goats is highly prevalent in the southern United States. The high prevalence of resistance to multiple anthelmintics emphasizes the need for reexamination of nematode control practices.

Resistance to macrocyclic lactones in nematodes of goats.

Resistance to macrocyclic lactones in nematodes of goats.

An abattoir study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

The Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka publishes the results of research in all aspects of Science and Technology. The journal also has a website at http://www.nsf.gov.lk/. 2021 Impact Factor: 0.682The JNSF provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Natural evolution of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats ( Capra hircus) in the semi-arid ecosystem of the Paraı́ba backwoods, northeastern Brazil

This study was conducted in Patos county, a semi-arid area with caatinga vegetation in Paraı́ba State, northeastern Brazil. Twenty-four male goats of mixed breeds were used. The animals were separated in age groups from 1–12 months, i. e., 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12 months, with four animals in each group. The animals were slaughtered and necropsied to recover and identify adult worms. The goats were exposed to nematode infection from the first month of life. The most prevalent nematodes in decreasing order were: Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum columbianum. Age of the goats did not appear to be a factor in resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection. Worm burdens of 11–12 month old animals were significantly ( P<0.05) higher than in other age groups.

Herbal medicine in the control of gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats in Uganda. (Control of gastro-intestinal nematodes C-25).

Herbal medicine in the control of gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats in Uganda. (Control of gastro-intestinal nematodes C-25).

Anthelmintic resistant nematodes in goats in the Netherlands

A suspected case of anthelmintic resistance on a farm with Angora and Anglo-Nubian goats was confirmed in a controlled test. Twelve lambs of sheep were infected with larvae cultured from faeces of the goats. The lambs were allocated to four groups: untreated controls and lambs treated 21 days after infection with 5 mg kg −1 oxfendazole, 0.2 mg kg −1 ivermectin or 7.5 mg kg −1 levamisole. The lambs were slaughtered 1 week later and post-mortem worm counts were performed. Benzimidazole resistance was found in Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Cooperia curticei and Trichostrongylus colubriformis with the efficacy of oxfendazole being 68%, 31%, 21% and 48% respectively. No resistance was found against levamisole or ivermectin.

Kamala ( Mallotus philippinensis) fruit is ineffective as an anthelminthic against gastrointestinal nematodes in goats indigenous to Balochistan, Pakistan

Single dose oral treatments of kamala, the dried, powdered fruit of Mallotus philippinensis (250, 375, 500 and 750 mg kg −1 liveweight), were compared with a single dose of fenbendazole (Panacur ®) (10 mg kg −1 liveweight, as recommended by the manufacturer) to determine the relative effectiveness of each against gastrointestinal nematodes with a direct life-cycle. Twenty-eight castrated male goats were made parasite free and then inoculated with mixed cultures of infective, direct life-cycle nematode larvae. The fecal eggs per gram (EPG) counts for the groups treated with 250 and 375 mg kg −1 of kamala did not significantly ( P > 0.05) drop (pre-treatment means 2071 ± 1149 and 2245 ± 1130, respectively) over a 26 day period (day 26 means 3217 ± 1604 and 2942 ± 2076, respectively). The EPG counts for the groups treated with 500 and 750 mg kg −1of kamala did not significantly ( P > 0.05) drop (pre-treatment means 534 ± 212 and 9440 ± 8693, respectively) overa 15day period (day 15 means 338 ± 158 and 2202 ± 1930, respectively). Fenbendazole affected a significant decrease ( P < 0.001) in EPG counts from pre-treatment values (mean 1864 ± 1030) after a period of 5 days (mean 0.0 ± 0.0). Although interviews conducted in Quetta, Pakistan, indicate that there is a great dependency upon kamala as a general anthelminthic in the area, it is concluded that kamala is not effective in eliminating direct life-cycle gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Therefore, kamala should not be used alone as a treatment for nematode infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

Efficacy of ivermectin in reducing gastrointestinal nematode fecal egg counts in goats in Burundi

Cross-bred goats in Burundi infested with gastrointestinal nematodes were submitted to fecal investigations and injected subcutaneously with ivermectin. In Experiment 1, goats were treated with 200 μg kg −1 bw ivermectin. In Experiment 2, animals were administered twice that dose. In Experiment 3, goats suspected to be resistant to other anthelmintics were treated with 200 μg kg −1 bw ivermectin. In Experiment 4, two doses of the same strength were injected with an interval of 7 days. Results demonstrate that 200 μg kg −1 bw ivermectin is effective for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in Burundi; this dosage is also effective against nematodes suspected to be resistant to other anthelmintics. The administration of 400 μg kg −1 bw did not induce greater or more prolonged effectiveness percentages. The supposed decrease of ivermectin's residual activity on Day 28 might be avoided by administering two doses with an interval of 7 days. No adverse effects were observed in treated animals.

Anthelmintic resistance in goats in peninsular Malaysia.

Ninety-six randomly selected farms, located throughout peninsular Malaysia, were surveyed for goat nematodes resistant to benzimidazoles (BZ). On 33 farms BZ resistance was demonstrated by means of an egg hatch assay. Haemonchus contortus was found to be the main species involved in anthelmintic resistance. There was a positive association between the frequency of anthelmintic treatments on a farm and the presence of benzimidazole resistance. To assess the value of the egg hatch assay, faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests were also performed on 20 farms. On six farms the LD50 of thiabendazole (TBZ) was less than 0.10 micrograms ml-1 and the FECR higher than 95% and on ten farms with an LD50 TBZ of over 0.10 micrograms ml-1 a FECR of less than 95% was measured. On four farms the FECR was less than 95%, although the egg hatch assay showed LD50 TBZ values of less than 0.10 micrograms ml-1 and on two of these three farms a controlled efficacy test confirmed the presence of BZ resistant H. contortus. From these results it can be concluded that the egg hatch assay underestimated the true incidence of benzimidazole resistance. Levamisole resistance was detected with a FECR test on two of ten farms investigated.

Rotational grazing for control of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in a wet tropical environment

A preliminary experiment involving contamination of pasture plots with eggs of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum every month for a year established that in the tropical environment of the Pacific island of Tongatapu, hatching and development of all species was rapid and continuous, with a short survival on pasture (3–7 weeks) of the resulting infective larvae. These results indicated that a rotational grazing system consisting of ten paddocks grazed in sequence for 3.5 days at a time may permit a reduction in the frequency of anthelmintic treatment of goats. In comparison with an adjacent set-stocked flock which required treatment on three occasions during the year when mean flock egg counts exceeded 2000 eggs per gram (EPG), rotationally grazed goats generally maintained mean egg counts of less than 1000 EPG. Anthelmintic treatment was only given to rotationally grazed goats individually as they kidded, and there were indications that even this precaution was unnecessary. Because of the expense of frequent anthelmintic treatment and the resulting selection of strains of anthelmintic-resistant nematodes, rotational grazing of small ruminants through fencing, tethering or herding deserves further investigation as a nematode control option in wet tropical environments.

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in goat at chittagong hilly areas of Bangladesh

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in goat at chittagong hilly areas of Bangladesh

Multiple resistance in goat-derivedOstertugiaand the effkacy of moxidectin and combinations of other anthelmintics

Faecal egg count reduction tests were used to identify a strain of Ostertagia circumcincta/trifurcata complex in goats which was resistant to: ivermectin (at 0.2 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg orally), oxfendazole (at 5 mg/kg orally), levamisole (at 12 mg/kg orally) and fenbendazole (at 5 mg/kg orally) combined with levamisole (at 9.4 mg/kg orally). The percentage reductions achieved in these faecal egg count reduction tests were respectively 27%, 83%, 82%, 79% and 82%. Moxidectin (at 0.2 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection), fenbendazole (at 10 mg/kg orally) combined with levamisole (at 18.8 mg/kg orally), ivermectin (at 0.4 mg/kg orally) combined with oxfendazole (at 10 mg/kg orally) and ivermectin (at 0.4 mg/kg orally) combined with levamisole (at 12 mg/kg orally) were effective in removing these nematodes in goats as determined by faecal egg count reduction tests. These drenches achieved reductions of 100%, 100%, 98% and 100% respectively.

Anthelmintic resistant nematodes in goats

Anthelmintic resistant nematodes in goats

Benzimidazole resistance in nematodes of goats.

Benzimidazole resistance in nematodes of goats.

Seasonal Prevalence of Gastrointestinal] nematodes of goats in Pernambuco state, Brazil

During each of 36 1-month periods from April 1979 to March 1982, 3–4 goats selected from typical farms were necropsied and examined for gastrointestinal nematodes. The goats were male, 12 months old, born on the farm and raised without any anthelmintic application. At the beginning of each month, from April 1981 to March 1982, three 12-month-old male goats shown to be free of gastrointestinal nematodes after anthelmintic treatment were grazedwith a flock of naturally infected goats (tracer goats). At the end of each month, these goats were placed on a cementfloored pen and were maintained there for 4 weeks prior to necropsy and examination for gastrointestinal nem nematodes. Every goat examined was found to be parasitized by more than one species of nematode. Haemonchus contortus, Strongyloides papillosus and Oesophagostomum columbianum were the most prevalent nematodes found. Total worm burdens present in the farm animals were highest during late rainy/early dry season (March-June) and lowest in mid-rainy season (January-February). The acquisition of nematodes by tracer goats occurred mainly from mid-rainy to early dry season (January-June).