Nematodirus Helvetianus Research Articles

Dose confirmation of a novel fixed dose combination injectable (0.2 mg/kg doramectin + 6.0 mg/kg levamisole hydrochloride) against naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematodes in US cattle

Macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistance in cattle gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) is an increasing problem. Concurrent combination anthelmintic therapy incorporating an existing ML with a second drug class has been proposed to control cattle GINs while slowing the development of ML resistance. Two dose confirmation studies were conducted to investigate the efficacy of a new fixed-dose combination injectable (FDCI) anthelmintic against common cattle GINs known to negatively impact production. The FDCI is formulated with 5 mg/ml doramectin and 150 mg/ml levamisole hydrochloride (HCl). Cattle enrolled in the two studies were sourced from either the Southern (Study 1, n = 30) or Midwest (Study 2, n = 36) United States. Animals with GIN infections confirmed by fecal egg count (FEC) were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups. On Day 0, cattle with positive FECs on Day −5( ± 2) were weighed and administered a single subcutaneous injection of either saline (0.9% sodium chloride) at 0.04 ml/kg, 10 mg/ml doramectin at 0.02 ml/kg (to provide 0.2 mg/kg doramectin) or the FDCI at 0.04 ml/kg (to provide 0.2 mg/kg doramectin and 6.0 mg/kg levamisole HCl). On Day 14, fecal samples were collected, animals were euthanized, and worms were collected from the intestinal tract of each animal. Treatment efficacy was calculated using worm burdens and the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Pre-treatment (Day −5, Study 1; Day −3, Study 2) mean FECs were 999.4–1136.2 eggs per gram (EPG) in Study 1 and 137.1–226.6 EPG in Study 2. The FDCI was active against cattle GIN populations in both studies, with FECRT ≥ 99.98% in both studies. Compared to saline-treated cattle, FDCI-treated cattle had significantly fewer adult and immature worms of all identified species on Day 14. In Study 1, Day 14 efficacy of the FDCI was 96.9% for Cooperia spp. (C. oncophora (99.7%) and C. punctata (95.9%)), 99.1% for Nematodirus helvetianus, and 99.8% for Ostertagia spp. In Study 2, the FDCI provided 100% efficacy against all adult GIN species identified, including all GINs identified in Study 1 and Trichostrongylus axei. The FDCI also provided 95.5% efficacy against immature Ostertagia spp. and 100% efficacy against immature Cooperia spp. (Study 2). Doramectin was effective against all adult cattle GINs (except N. helvetianus) in Study 2 but was only effective against adult Ostertagia spp. in Study 1. Additionally, doramectin was only effective against immature Cooperia spp. (and not immature Ostertagia spp.) in Study 2. A single administration of the doramectin + levamisole HCl FDCI provides a new and effective approach to the treatment and control of common cattle GINs, including those exhibiting decreased susceptibility to doramectin alone.

Multispecies helminth parasitism of grazing dairy cows in Germany and Austria, examined in the housing period

Helminth composition and burden data for dairy cows have not been reported for >40years for Germany and even less information is available for Austria. In the context of two recent studies, helminth parasitism was studied in 32 cows (23 from six farms in Bavaria and Tyrol; 9 from one farm in Saxony) from pasture-based dairy farms necropsied during the housing period. Helminths were enumerated and identified based on morphological characters (all helminths but rumen flukes) or molecular techniques (rumen flukes). Thirteen species of gastrointestinal nematodes and two species each of liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum) and rumen flukes (Calicophoron daubneyi, Paramphistomum leydeni) were recorded; no lungworms were recovered from any cow. Early fourth-stage (inhibited) larval Ostertagia species nematodes (210 to 140,600) were recovered from all cows, 31 each had adult Ostertagia ostertagi/Ostertagia lyrata (40 to 2020) and Trichostrongylus axei (10 to 53,400), 23 Oesophagostomum radiatum (1 to 242) and 20 Cooperia punctata (10 to 3330). Other nematodes present in descending order of prevalence were: Cooperia oncophora/Cooperia surnabada, Ostertagia leptospicularis/Ostertagia kolchida, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Chabertia ovina, Nematodirus helvetianus, Trichostrongylus longispicularis, Haemonchus contortus and Aonchotheca bilobata. The cows from Bavaria and Tyrol harbored more total gastrointestinal nematodes than that from Saxony (geometric mean adult plus inhibited larval nematodes, 6510 vs. 2051, respectively). However, in both cohorts of cows abomasal nematodes accounted for ∼97% of the total nematode burden with inhibited larval Ostertagia species nematodes contributing over 70% of the total gastrointestinal nematode burden and∼96% of the Ostertagia species burden. Approximately 44%, 37% and 19% of the cows harbored <5000, 5000 to 10,000 or>10,000 total gastrointestinal nematodes, respectively. Fecal nematode egg and coproculture nematode larval counts significantly correlated with the cows' total adult nematode burden (rs=0.354, p<0.05, and rs=0.608, p<0.001, respectively). Although the magnitude of nematode burden to exert production effects on dairy cows is not well defined and may vary relative to several factors including nutritional supplementation, the level of mixed parasitism found in this investigation supports consideration of grazing dairy cows in helminth control measures, especially at the time of housing in autumn.

Eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection for the treatment of larval and/or adult Bunostomum phlebotomum, Haemonchus contortus, H. placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections in cattle.

In an effort to generate data for regulatory purposes on the therapeutic efficacy of eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection (Eprinomectin ERI) (LongRange®, Boehringer Ingelheim) against infections of immature and adult stages of some nematode species (or stages) which are generally less common or predominantly seen in younger cattle, nine studies (minimum two per parasite and stage) were conducted in the USA and Germany. A total of 218 young cattle were included in seven experimentally induced infection studies (180 animals) and two studies with naturally acquired nematode infections (38 animals), which were compliant with WAAVP and VICH guidelines. In each study, cattle were randomly assigned into groups which received 1mL per 50kg body weight of either saline (controls) or Eprinomectin ERI (equivalent to 1mg eprinomectin per kg body weight) via subcutaneous injection when the parasites were developing fourth-stage larval (L4) or adult nematodes. Following necropsy and parasite recovery, percentage efficacy was calculated based on the comparison of geometric mean nematode counts of the Eprinomectin ERI- vs. the saline-treated animals. Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle had significantly (p < 0.05) lower counts of each species and stage of nematodes than the controls. Eprinomectin ERI treatment was demonstrated to be efficacious (> 90%) against L4 and adult Bunostomum phlebotomum and Nematodirus helvetianus; against L4 Haemonchus placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichostrongylus colubriformis; and against adult H. contortus. Percentage efficacy against L4 H. contortus was variable (69.6 to 100%). All treatments were well accepted, and no treatment-related health problems were observed in any study.

Naturally acquired ovine-adapted nematode infections in young cattle and their treatment with eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection.

The objective of this controlled study was to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of eprinomectin 5% w/v extended-release injection (Eprinomectin ERI; LONGRANGE®, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) against primarily ovine-adapted gastrointestinal strongylid nematode (GIN) parasites in naturally infected young cattle. Eighteen calves which grazed on a sheep-dominated mixed sheep-cattle farm were randomly allocated into two equal groups (saline [control] or Eprinomectin ERI, administered each at 1mL/50kg body weight once subcutaneously), treated and euthanized 14days thereafter for a differential GIN count. Ten species of strongylid nematodes were recovered from the control calves (ovine-adapted Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus battus, Chabertia ovina; bovine-adapted Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus; 'generalist' Trichostrongylus axei). Adult GIN counts ranged from 1,540 to 5,244 for the control calves and from zero to 110 for the Eprinomectin ERI-treated calves. Accepting the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products anthelmintic guidelines criteria on adequacy of infections to be demonstrated in the control animals, this study showed that Ch. ovina, C. curticei, H. contortus, N. battus, T. axei, and T. colubriformis were reduced significantly (p < 0.0001) by ≥ 98.7% in the animals treated with Eprinomectin ERI. In conclusion, Eprinomectin ERI treatment was efficacious against a range of ovine-adapted nematode parasites in naturally infected young cattle.

STUDY OF HELMINTH FAUNA OF THE EUROPEAN BISON IN THE KALUGA REGION

This article describes the study of the parasitic fauna of the European bison in the national Park "Ugra", the Kaluga Region. In the Russian Federation, this species has an official status of endangered species, therefore it is listed in the Red Book. In the Kaluga Region, there are several areas where the bison lives; in this work, the study area was the Dzerzhinsky District. The aim of the study was to detect and differentiate helminths, and provide therapeutic and preventive recommendations. The experiments were carried out using methods of flotation and sequential washings. Six species were selected as study helminths from three main classes of parasites: 1 species of helminths Dicrocoelium lanceatum from the class of trematodes (Trematoda). This parasite is localized in the liver and gall bladder. Three species of tapeworms from the class of cestodes (Cestoda): Moniezia expansa, which affects the small intestine, Cysticercus taenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena) and Cysticercus bovis (Taeniarhynchus saginatus), which can affect the musculature of animals. Two species of the parasite from the class of nematodes (Nematoda): Oesophagostomum radiatum and Nematodirus helvetianus, which are mainly localized in the small intestine. The topic of helminth fauna of the bison requires further study, since these animals can be the main sources of invasion. They live in the same biotopes as other ruminants, therefore they can cause infection of cattle and small ruminants that are in nearby territories for grazing.

Prevalence and molecular identification of Nematodirus helvetianus in camels in Iraq.

Background and Aim:Camels from the central part of Iraq are infected with multiple parasitic diseases that have an economic impact by decreasing meat and milk production. This study aimed to evaluate Nematodirus spp. in camels (Camelus dromedarius).Materials and Methods:The study animals consisted of camels slaughtered in the central area of Iraq at the Al-Najaf slaughterhouse. All ages and sexes of camels were examined. Worms were recovered and identified microscopically. For molecular characterization, two Iraqi Nematodirus spp. partial ribosomal genes (ITS1 and ITS2) were sequenced and submitted to the NCBI database.Results:Of 160 camels tested, 29 were infected with Nematodirus spp. (18.13%). Twenty-one nematodes containing the Nematodirus genes were identified in the small intestines of naturally infected camels. BLAST analysis revealed 88.1% sequence similarity with that of Nematodirus helvetianus isolated in China and 87.2% similarity with N. helvetianus isolated in the United States.Conclusion:The prevalence of N. helvetianus warrants the use of anti-helminthic drugs for these animals and a rationale for future control strategies to prevent the transmission of this infection to other livestock.

Helminths parasites of digestive trackt of sheep and goats in Macedonian region

During two periods (December 1985-October 1986 and October 1990-April 1991), the digestive tracts of 102 sheep and 29 goats were examined, with the purpose to find out and identify the helminthes parasites of these animals. The 96,1% of sheep and 93,1% of goats were found to be infected with 26 and 20 different helminths, respectively. The nematodes which were found out of the different parts of the digestive tract of these animals were: Sheep: oesophagus: Gongylonema pulchrum, abomasum: Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, T. trifurcata, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia oncophora, small intestine: Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis} T. vitrinus, T. capricola, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei, Nematodirus filicollis, N. helvetianus, N. spathiger, N. battus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum and Strongyloides papillosus, large intestine: Oesophagostomum venulosum, Oe. columbianum, Chabertia ovina, Trichuris globulosa, T. ovis and Skrjabinema ovis. Goats: all the previous findings except T. vitrinus, Nematodirus helvetianus, N. battus and Trichuris ovis. The cestodes parasites, Moniezia expansa, Moniezia benedni, Avitellina centripunctata and Stilesia globipunctata were found into the small intestine of sheep and, Moniezia expansa and Avitellina centripunctata, in goats only. All animals were infected with more than one different parasites. The sheep nematodes Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus helvetianus, and N. spathiger, were identified for the first time in Greece, more over, Nematodirus battus were found out and identified for the first time in Greece.

Molecular identification of parasitic nematodes (Nematoda: Strongylida) in feces of wild ruminants from Tunisia

In Tunisia and other North African countries, there is a lack of knowledge about parasite biodiversity within threatened wild ruminants and there are not any studies on their gastrointestinal nematodes. Thus the aim of this study was to identify gastrointestinal fauna in the faecal samples of Tunisian wild ruminants. A total of 262 faecal samples were collected from domestic sheep and goat, and wild ruminants (Addax, Barbary sheep, Barbary red deer, Dorcas gazelle, Slender-horned gazelle and Scimitar-horned Oryx) living in protected areas. Samples were examined with floatation (saturated sodium chloride solution), polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA. Microscopic analysis allowed the identification of only Nematodirus genus or molecular tools allowed a first identification of five gastrointestinal nematode species in North African wild ruminants: Chabertia ovina (1.6%), Camelostrongylus mentulatus (1.6%), Marshallagia marshalli (4.7%), Nematodirus helvetianus (62.5%) and Nematodirus spathiger (29.7%). This study reported the first records of C. mentulatus and M. marshalli in Addax and of M. marshalli in Dorcas gazelle and it was the first reported record of N. helvetianus and M. marshalli in Tunisia.

Effects of age, sex, lactation and social dominance on faecal egg count patterns of gastrointestinal nematodes in farmed eland (Taurotragus oryx)

The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar conditions and production systems as cattle. However, knowledge of parasites in farmed elands outside the area of their native habitat is still limited, and information concerning factors that influence these parasites is lacking. Therefore, faecal samples from an entire herd of elands, including calves and adult females and males, were examined monthly over a one year period. Almost 84% of the animals were found to be positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. Strongyle-type eggs were most frequently detected (prevalence 75%), followed by Capillaria sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs. Following culturing eggs to infective larvae, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., Cooperia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. were identified. Following necropsy of two calves that died during the study one abomasal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta), five small intestinal nematode species (Nematodirus helvetianus, N. spathiger, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei and Capillaria bovis) and two large intestinal nematodes (Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis) were recovered. From these findings, it is evident that the eland harbours nematodes that are typical for domestic cattle and small ruminants. Morphological and morphometric analyses of recovered nematodes revealed that these parasites do not require any special morphological adaptation to establish infection in elands. The faecal output of strongyle-type and Nematodirus sp. eggs was seasonal, with the highest egg production taking place during spring and summer. Calves had higher faecal egg counts (for all the monitored nematode species) than adults did. Lactation in females was significantly (P<0.0001) associated with higher strongyle nematode egg shedding. Social dominance also affected faecal egg count patterns. The lower the hierarchical position among adults (regardless of sex), the higher the risk of nematode infection. This effect was evident for strongyles (P<0.0001) and Capillaria sp. nematodes (P=0.0065). The results of our study suggest that control measures applicable in domestic cattle and small ruminants might be similarly applicable for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in captive farmed elands.

Control trial and fecal egg count reduction test determinations of nematocidal efficacies of moxidectin and generic ivermectin in recently weaned, naturally infected calves

An anthelmintic efficacy study was performed with young, naturally infected beef-type calves obtained at local farms. Presumably, the study calves had been recently weaned and had not been treated with a parasiticide prior to study acquisition. After blocking the 24 study calves in accordance with calculated Cooperia spp EPG counts, the calves were randomly allocated within each block to one of four treatment groups, resulting in 6 animals per treatment group (untreated controls, topical ivermectin at the rate of 500mcg/kg BW [Noromectin Pour-On® Norbrook], topical moxidectin at the rate of 500mcg/kg BW [Cydectin Pour-On® Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVM)] and injectable moxidectin at the rate of 200mcg/kg BW [Cydectin® BIVM]. After treatment, the animals were penned by treatment group until necropsy. Fecal, strongyle egg count reduction percentages at 2 days post-treatment were 13, 52, 81 and 93 for control, topical ivermectin, topical moxidectin and injectable moxidectin treatment groups, respectively. In the same order as above, egg count reduction percentages at necropsy (15–18 days post-treatment) were −14, 91, 94 and 97. Based on geometric means for worm burdens quantified at necropsy, anthelmintic efficacies ranged from 96 to 100% for adult Oesophagostomum radiatum, Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus placei and Trichostrongylus axei. Against adult Nematodirus helvetianus, percent efficacies based on geometric means were 56.7, 98.3 and 82.2 for topical ivermectin, topical moxidectin and injectable moxidectin, respectively; an observation that is guarded, as only 5 control animals were infected with adult N. helvetianus. Respective anthelmintic efficacies (%’s) against adult Cooperia oncophora and C. punctata were 93.0 and 73.4 (topical ivermectin), 99.3 and 99.9 (topical moxidectin) and 46.1 and 93.6 (injectable moxidectin). Judging from these data, it appears that treatment of calves soon after weaning with topical moxidectin is effective (>90% efficacy) for all common nematodes in cattle, but injectable moxidectin and topical ivermectin have limited effectiveness against Cooperia spp. With Cooperia spp and H. placei infections, the fecal egg count reduction test and the control trial determinations of anthelmintic effectiveness were in disagreement regarding injectable moxidectin and topical ivermectin.

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in organized cattle farms of Meghalaya

Aim: To know the gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle of Meghalaya, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 676 faecal samples of cattle were collected for a period of two years from different organized cattle farms of Meghalaya for detection of gastrointestinal parasitic infections, using standard techniques. Results: Out of 676 faecal samples examined, 191 (28.25%) faecal samples were found positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infections. The eggs of Strongyle spp. were found predominant (65.96 %) followed by Strongyloides spp. (25.13%), Eimeria spp. (17.80%), Trichuris spp. (13.08%), Moniezia spp. (10.47%) and Nematodirus spp.(2.61%). The Nematodirrus spp. was identified as Nematodirus helvetianus, a first report of its kind from cattle of North-Eastern Region of India, particularly from the state Meghalaya. The eggs per gram of faeces in case of nematode parasites were ranged between 50 to 4000 and in case of coccidian infections the range of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) was between 50 to 1400. Conclusion: Cattle maintained in organized cattle farms of Meghalaya suffers from GI parasitic infections throughout the year. It is highest during rainy season followed by cool, cold and hot season.

Therapeutic efficacy of eprinomectin extended-release injection against induced infections of developing (fourth-stage larvae) and adult nematode parasites of cattle

The therapeutic efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation was evaluated against induced infections of developing fourth-stage larval or adult gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes of cattle in a series of six studies under two identical protocols (three each for developing fourth-stage larvae or adults) conducted in the USA, Germany or the UK (two studies at each location, one per stage).Each study initially included 16 nematode-free cattle. The cattle were of various breeds or crosses, weighed 109–186.5kg prior to treatment, and were approximately 4–7 months old. The animals were blocked based on pre-treatment bodyweight and then randomly allocated to treatment: eprinomectin ERI vehicle (control) at 1mL/50kg body weight or eprinomectin 5% ERI at 1mL/50kg bodyweight (1.0mg eprinomectin/kg) for a total of eight and eight animals in each group. Treatments were administered once on Day 0 by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder.In each study, cattle were infected with a combination of infective third-stage larvae or eggs of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes. Inoculation was scheduled so that the nematodes were expected to be fourth-stage larvae or adults at the time of treatment. For parasite recovery, all study animals were humanely euthanized and necropsied 14–15 (adult infections) or 21–22 days after treatment (developing fourth-stage larval infections).When compared with the vehicle-treated control counts, efficacy of eprinomectin ERI against developing fourth-stage larvae and adults was ≥98% (p<0.05) for the following nematodes: Dictyocaulus viviparus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia curticei, C. oncophora, C. surnabada, C. punctata, Haemonchus contortus, H. placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oes. venulosum, Ostertagia leptospicularis, O. ostertagi, O. circumcincta, O. pinnata, O. trifurcata (developing fourth-stage larval infections only), Strongyloides papillosus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, and Trichuris ovis (adult infections only).All animals accepted the treatment well. No adverse reaction to treatments was observed in any animal in any study.

Nematode burdens of pastured cattle treated once at turnout with eprinomectin extended-release injection

The efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation was evaluated against infections with third-stage larvae or eggs of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes in cattle under 120-day natural challenge conditions in a series of five studies conducted in the USA (three studies) and in Europe (two studies). For each study, 30 nematode-free (four studies) or 30 cattle harboring naturally acquired nematode infections (one study) were included. The cattle were of various breeds or crosses, weighed 107.5–273kg prior to treatment and aged approximately 4–11 months. For each study, animals were blocked based on pre-treatment bodyweight and then randomly allocated to treatment: ERI vehicle (control) at 1mL/50kg bodyweight or Eprinomectin 5% (w/v) ERI at 1mL/50kg bodyweight (1.0mg eprinomectin/kg) for a total of 15 and 15 animals in each group. Treatments were administered once on Day 0 by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder. In each study, all animals grazed one naturally contaminated pasture for 120 days. At regular intervals during the studies, fecal samples from all cattle were examined for nematode egg and larval counts. In four studies pairs of tracer cattle were used to monitor pasture infectivity at 28-day intervals before and/or during the grazing period. All calves were weighed before turnout onto pasture and at regular intervals until housing on Day 120. For parasite recovery, all study animals were humanely euthanized 27–30 days after removal from pasture.Cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer strongylid eggs (≤1 egg per gram; egg count reduction≥94%) than the control cattle and zero lungworm larvae at each post-treatment time point. At euthanasia, cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer of the following nematodes than the ERI vehicle-treated (control) cattle with overall reduction of nematode counts by >92%: Dictyocaulus viviparus (adults and fourth-stage larvae (L4), Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia curticei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia surnabada, Cooperia spp. inhibited L4, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, Haemonchus spp. inhibited L4, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spp. inhibited L4, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oesophagostomum spp. inhibited L4, Ostertagia leptospicularis, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia spp. inhibited L4, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus spp. inhibited L4, Trichuris discolor, and Trichuris ovis. Over the 120-day grazing period, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gained between 4.8kg and 31kg more weight than the controls. This weight gain advantage was significant (p<0.05) in three studies.All animals accepted the treatment well. No adverse reaction to treatment was observed in any animal in any study.

Reevaluation of efficacy against nematode parasites and pharmacokinetics of topical eprinomectin in cattle

A study was conducted to confirm the efficacy of topical eprinomectin against nematodes and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics in cattle prevented from having physical contact with other cattle and from self-grooming. Sixteen male Brown Swiss calves were infected with larvae of recently isolated nematode parasites. Inoculation was scheduled so that the nematodes were expected to be adults at the time of treatment. Animals were blocked based on pretreatment body weight and randomly allocated to the untreated control group or the group treated with EPRINEX® Pour-On (Merial; 0.5 mg eprinomectin per kilogram body weight). Plasma samples were collected prior to and between 1 and 21 days following treatment and analysed for eprinomectin (B1a component) concentrations. For parasite recovery, identification and counting, animals were humanely euthanized 21 days after treatment. Calves treated with eprinomectin had significantly (p < 0.05) fewer (>99 % reduction) adult Dictyocaulus viviparus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia surnabada, Cooperia punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia lyrata, and Trichostrongylus axei and inhibited fourth-stage Nematodirus and Ostertagia larvae than the controls. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of eprinomectin B1a were: AUC(inf), 124 ± 24 day ng/mL; T (1/2), 5.2 ± 0.9 days; and C (max), 9.7 ± 2.2 ng/mL. Individual maximal concentrations were observed 3-7 days after treatment. This study confirmed the continued high level of efficacy of topically administered eprinomectin against a wide range of recently isolated nematodes. In addition, this study demonstrates that oral ingestion is not required to achieve adequate exposure for efficacy following topical administration of eprinomectin.

Towards finding effective indicators (diarrhoea and anaemia scores and weight gains) for the implementation of targeted selective treatment against the gastro-intestinal nematodes in lambs in a steppic environment

The effective application of targeted selective treatment (TST) against gastro-intestinal nematodes depends on the accurate identification of those animals in need of anthelmintic treatment. Finding cost and labour effective measures to identify such animals is paramount. This study tested the efficacy of three indicators on lambs in a farm in Eastern Algeria: anaemia score (FAMACHA©), diarrhoea score (DISCO) and weight gain. These were contrasted against traditional parasitological infection measures (nematode eggs per gram of faeces: EPG). Thirty lambs were used in the study; every second month they were sampled (FAMACHA©, faecal samples for EPG and DISCO, weight gains) and two of the original 30 lambs were necropsied for adult worm counts. The main gastro-intestinal nematodes were Teladorsagia circumcincta, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus helvetianus, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, and Haemonchus contortus. DISCO proved to be the most effective indicator correctly identifying 80% of the sheep in need of treatment. This was followed by FAMACHA© with a 50% accuracy level and finally weight gains, which were not found to be a useful indicator at all.

Comparative Efficacy of Trichlorphon and Trichlorphon/Ivermectin Combination Treatment against Anthelmintic-Resistant Cattle Nematodes in Argentina

Twenty-four Holando Argentino male calves were treated orally with 50 mg/kg body weight trichlorphon (TCF); 0.2 mg/kg body weight subcutaneous ivermectin (IVM); a combination of TCF+IVM at the same doses and administration routes; or remained untreated (control group). All calves were necropsied at day 14 post treatment for counting and identification of worms from abomasum, small and large intestines and lungs to determine the absolute efficacy (controlled efficacy test) for each treatment. Using the faecal egg count reduction test, the efficacy was 63.7 % for TCF, 72.3 % for IVM and 99.2 % for TCF+IVM. The absolute efficacy of IVM and IVM+TCF was 100 % against Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei and Ostertagia ostertagi (p < 0.05). TCF showed a similar level of efficacy except against O. ostertagi (84.7 %). Efficacy of the treatments against Cooperia oncophora/pectinata/mcmasteri was 80.4 % for IVM, 95.7 % for TCF and 99.6 % for TCF+IVM; against Trichostrongylus colubriformis was 79 % for IVM, 86.2 % for TCF and 94.1 % for TCF+IVM; against Nematodirus helvetianus was 0 % for IVM, 100 % for TCF and 93.8 % for TCF+IVM. The efficacies of TCF, IVM and TCF+IVM were 100 % against Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichuris spp. The efficacy of TCF against Dictyocaulus viviparus was 52 % and 100 % for IVM and IVM+TCF, respectively. This is the first report of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Nematodirus helvetianus resistant to ivermectin treatment in cattle of Argentina. The TCF+IVM combination could be an alternative for the control and treatment of nematode infections including IVM-resistant strains.

The efficacy of an ivermectin/closantel injection against experimentally induced infections and field infections with gastrointestinal nematodes and liver fluke in cattle

Three studies were performed to test the efficacy of an ivermectin/closantel injection (200 μg/kg −1 ivermectin and 5 mg/kg −1 closantel) in cattle. Two were experimentally induced infections of Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora and Fasciola hepatica in calves, and the third had natural field infections in cattle with several species of gastrointestinal nematodes and F. hepatica. In the two studies with artificial infections, four groups of 8 calves were used. All calves were infected with metacercariae on Day 0. Infection with the nematodes took place on Day 33 in groups 1 and 2 and on Day 54 in groups 3 and 4. Treatment was given to calves of group 1 on Day 63 and to calves of group 3 on Day 84. Calves of groups 2 and 4 served as untreated control groups. Calves of groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed on Day 84, calves of groups 3 and 4 on Day 105. The field study was carried out on a commercial farm in the Netherlands. Six groups of cattle were used. Groups A and B consisted of 10 parasite free calves, introduced to the farm and grazed for four weeks on pastures naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematode larvae and liver fluke metacercariae. Group C were the farmers own calves (15), group D heifers (10), group E dry cows (6) and group F milking cows (20). Treatment was given to animals of group A, C, D and E 10 weeks after housing of group A and B. Animals of groups B and F served as untreated controls. Calves of groups A and B were sacrificed 14 days after treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was calculated on basis of the post-mortem fluke and nematode worm counts in the first two studies and on a combination of post-mortem fluke and nematode worm counts and faecal egg output in the field study. In the two experimental studies, the efficacy of the treatment against F. hepatica was 99.2% and 94.5% for 9-week-old flukes and 98.4% and 99.5% for 12-week-old flukes. For O. ostertagi in both studies efficacy was 100% and against C. oncophora in both Groups 1 efficacy was 84.9% and 99.0% and in Groups 3 85.0% and 99.4%. In the field study, based on the post mortem fluke and nematode worm counts in groups A and B, efficacy against F. hepatica was 98.4%, O. ostertagi 100%, C. oncophora 99.4%, C. punctata 100%, Nematodirus helvetianus 60.8%, Trichuris spp. 100% and against larval intestinal nematodes 100%. The results of the faecal examinations 14 days after treatment confirmed the post-mortem results with 100% reduction of egg output for O. ostertagi, C. punctata, Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp. and low egg output of C. oncophora and N. helvetianus.

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLV. Helminths of dairy calves on dry-land Kikuyu grass pastures in the Eastern Cape Province

Successive pairs of approximately 4-month-old Friesland bull calves, raised under worm-free conditions, were exposed to helminth infection for 14 days on dry-land Kikuyu grass pastures at 28-day to monthly intervals, on a coastal farm in a non-seasonal rainfall region of the Eastern Cape Province. With the exception of one pair of calves exposed for 28 days, this procedure was repeated for 28 consecutive months from December 1982 to March 1985. The day after removal from the pastures one calf of each pair was slaughtered and processed for helminth recovery and the other 21 days later. Both members of the last four pairs of calves were killed 21 days after removal from the pastures. Sixteen nematode species were recovered from the calves, and infection with Ostertagia ostertagi was the most intense and prevalent, followed by Cooperia oncophora. The calves acquired the greatest number of nematodes from the pastures from June to October of the first year and from June to August of the second year of the survey. Few worms were recovered from the tracer calves examined from November or December to March or April in each year of the survey. The seasonal patterns of infection with Cooperia spp., Haemonchus placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum spp., O. ostertagi and Trichostrongylus axei were all similar and were negatively correlated to atmospheric temperature and evaporation. Slight to moderate arrest in the development of fourth stage larvae occurred from July to September in Cooperia spp., April to July in H. placei, and August to October in O. ostertagi and Trichostrongylus spp. during the first year of the survey. Too few worms were present in the second year to determine a seasonal pattern of arrest. Species survival during the hot and windy summer months appeared to be achieved via a combination of arrested larval development and an ageing residual population of adult worms in the host, and a small extant population of infective larvae on the pastures.

Therapeutic and persistent efficacy of moxidectin 1% nonaqueous injectable formulation against natural and experimentally induced lung and gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle

Four controlled trials were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic and persistent efficacy of a new moxidectin formulation (moxidectin 1% nonaqueous injectable) against nematode parasites in cattle. This injectable moxidectin formulation, given as a single subcutaneous injection at a dose rate of 0.02 ml/kg BW to provide 0.2 mg moxidectin/kg BW, was highly efficacious (>90–100%) against larval and/or adult stages of many species of nematodes in cattle including, Dictyocaulus viviparus, Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus axei, Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia spp., Nematodirus helvetianus, Strongyloides papillosus, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichuris spp. This formulation had persistent efficacy of >90% against D. viviparus for at least 6 weeks post-treatment, H. placei and Oe. radiatum for 5 weeks post-treatment, and Ostertagia spp. and T. axei for 2 weeks post-treatment.

Titration of subcutaneously administered eprinomectin against mature and immature nematodes in cattle.

Eprinomectin has been approved for use as a topically applied endectocide for beef and dairy cattle. To determine if eprinomectin has utility as an injectable anthelmintic, it was titrated at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg s.c. against adult (Trial 1) and at 0.05, 0.1, 0.14, and 0.2 mg/kg s.c. against immature (Trial 2) stages of lung and gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle. In Trial 1, every dose of subcutaneously delivered eprinomectin showed maximal or near-maximal (> or = 99%) efficacy against Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, T colubriformis, Cooperia punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Dictyocaulus viviparus. Adult C. oncophora was the only exception. However, even against this species, the lowest dose of 0.05 mg/kg showed 93% efficacy, and the efficacious dose necessary to kill 95% (ED95) of adults was 0.056 mg/kg. In Trial 2, every dose of subcutaneously delivered eprinomectin showed maximal or near-maximal (> or = 99%) efficacy against the immature stages of all of the above species of endoparasites. As a result, ED95 values could not be calculated. Consequently, the exquisite potency against endoparasites through parenteral administration suggests that eprinomectin may also have potential utility as an injectable product for cattle.