Occurrence Of Helminths Research Articles

Occurrence of helminths in shrews and small rodents on territories transformed by reclamation.

Shrews and small rodents inhabit the drainage channel banks in reclai med areas and have their own helminth complex. The aim of the study is to conduct the 3rd research period during 2015-2019 the helminth fauna of these animals living on the drainage channel banks of model reclamation systems in Brest Polesie (south-western part of Belarus), to establish the species composition of helminths and the animal infection by these, and to compare the data obtained with previous research periods. 4,000 trap-days were worked out. 151 specimens of shrews of 4 species and 510 small rodents of 8 species were caught. Animals were examined by the method of complete helminthological dissections. Their numbers were 3.78 and 12.75 individuals per 100 trap-days, and helminth infection was 94.7% and 65.9%, respectively. 66 helminth species were found in animals. The dominant helminth species in infection have been identified. The trematode Prosolecithus danubica Tkach et Bray, 1995 (definitive host: common shrew), the acanthocephalans Centhrorhynchus aluconis (Müller, 1780) (larval host: lesser shrew) and Moniliformis moniliformis (Bremser, 1811) (definitive host: striped field mouse) are new species of helminths for Belarus. New hosts in Belarus have been found for 6 helminth species. Shrews and small rodents are involved in the life cycles of bird, non-ruminant artiodactyl and carnivorous mammal helminths. Nine helminth species have significance for medicine and 7 species for veterinary science. The results are compared with data from the 1st (1996-1999) and 2nd (2005-2010) research periods.

The occurrence of helminths and coccidia in zebu calves among pastoralists in Isiolo County Kenya

In Kenya, helminthosis and coccidiosis in cattle, is reported to be the second highest cause of death in zebu calves up to 12 months old, estimated at 12% mortality rate. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth and coccidia infections among zebu calves in Isiolo County in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted in between November and December, 2020 in Isiolo North and South Constituencies. Garbatulla and Burat Wards in Isiolo North and Kinna Ward in Isiolo South were purposively selected due to high number of large cattle herds compared to other areas. A total of 411 calves from 34 cattle herds aged between 3 weeks and 12 months were randomly selected for the study. Faecal samples were obtained from the rectum or immediately after defaecation for laboratory analysis, in a veterinary laboratory located in Kinna Ward in Isiolo south Constituency that is virtually meant for research. Faecal egg counts and coccidian oocyst were identified and estimated using the McMaster faecal floatation technique. The prevalence was determined by dividing positive number by the total number tested and the converted to percentage form. The overall prevalence of helminth and coccidia infections was estimated at 66.9% (275/411). Concurrent helminth and coccidia prevalence were slightly low, estimated at 16.5% (68/411). Coccidia infection was the most prevalent type of infection estimated at 45.7% (188/411) while the prevalence of helminths was 38.4% (158/411). Strongyle infection was predominant among other helminths detected with a prevalence of 29.4% (121/411) followed by Strongyloides 6.5% (27/411), Monezia 2.7% (4/411), Toxocara 1% (4/411) and Trichuris 0.2% (1/411). The results of this study indicated that prevalence of helminth and coccidia infections in calves is high dominated by strongyles and coccidia.

Helminths of wild ungulates living in different regions of Belarus

The purpose of the research is to study of the features of the fauna of wild ungulates helminths on the different regions of the Belarus.Materials and methods. The research was carried out in the State Research-Production Association "The ScientificallyPractical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for bio-resources" and in forestry farms of Belarus. The distribution of ungulates in winter was studied using winter route counts. GPS receivers were used for a reliable assessment of biotope confinement. We used the method of counting game animals by year-round mapping of encounters and tracks with the help of thermal imagers. To assess the seasonal distribution, the structure of the biocenosis was compared with the distribution of wild ungulate species on it. To assess the species selectivity of a certain biocenosis, the share of the species in the biotope and the share of this biotope in the farm were determined. The G-test was used to analyze the obtained materials. Animal feces were examined using the McMaster, sedimentation, and flotation methods.Results and discussion. It is determined that in the model forest areas, the red deer dominates in the structure of ungulates. Biotopes with stand density above 0.6 ungulates sem. Reindeer are used to an insignificant extent (K = -0.2, G = 42.7, P = 0.03). The biotopic distribution of roe deer in spring and autumn does not differ significantly (G = 116.7, P = 0.01). At this time, animals prefer areas with a predominance of broad-leaved species (D or.) (K = 0.86, G = 53.1, P < 0.01). During the rutting season, pinemoss forests are preferred (G = 37.4, P < 0.01). In the warm season, the red deer prefers forests with a predominance of pine trees in the stand (K = 0.6, G = 37.4, P < 0.01). Bilberry pine forests are preferred by females in spring and summer (adults and semi-adults) (K = 0.42, G = 32.4, P <0.01), males – mossy pine forests during the growing season (K = 0.22, G = 28.91, P = 0.03). In the parasitological situation in the red deer population, representatives of the Cestoda class are replaced by representatives of the Trematoda class. Representatives of the class Nematoda, genus Dictyocaulus sp. remain dominant. Representatives of the genus Strongylata, Trichostrongylus and Protostrongylus are constantly present. The genera Chabertia, Neoascaris, Cooperia are replaced, of the Nematoda class into the following genera: Oesophagostomum, Capillaria, Muellerius capillaris of the same class. The coefficient of common species composition of red deer and European roe worms is 46%, European roe and elk – 18, red deer and elk – 22%. On the territory of the Republic of Belarus, a rich species composition of helminths was revealed in European bison and a high degree of occurrence of helminths in this host. More than half of the animals in bison populations are carriers of infection with helminths: Belovezhskaya – 51.3, Polesskaya – 89.05%. Moreover, most of them have one type of helminths (from 50.0 to 66.7%) or two types of helminths (from 25.0 to 38.0%). Three or more types of helminths recorded simultaneously are rare. Representatives of the Nematoda class are 6 times superior to other classes of parasitic helminths (G = 39.8; Р < 0.01).

A importância do cão (Canis lupus familiaris) nas fazendas de cacau como portador de helmintos potencialmente transmissíveis ao homem e à vida selvagem no sul da Bahia, Brasil

ABSTRACT: Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can be considered an invasive species as they have been introduced by humans in different parts of the world and represent a risk to wildlife conservation. Large extensions of agroforestry systems, where cocoa is grown under the shade of native trees, contribute to wildlife conservation in southern Bahia, Brazil. However, this system can increase contact between species of the native fauna and domestic dogs, which are frequently taken to the fields by rural workers. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of domestic dogs inside cocoa agroforestry systems and the occurrence of helminths in dogs from cocoa farms near two protected areas: the Una Biological Reserve (REBIO-Una) and the Serra das Lontras National Park in Una, Bahia. We also investigated general characteristics of the dogs such as age, sex, breed, feeding frequency, vaccination, deworming and others, and evaluated possible risks of wildlife and human contamination by the domestic dog parasites. Camera traps were set up on eight cocoa agroforestry systems and three adjacent forest fragments. For parasitological investigation, fecal samples were collected from domestic dogs that lived on the eight cocoa farms. A total of 539 photos of 12 mammals were registered, of which 15% were of domestic dogs. The parasitological research was carried out with fecal samples from 32 of the 39 dogs that lived in the cocoa farms. We found one genus of cestode, Dipylidium sp. (7.7%), and five genera of nematodes, Ancylostoma sp. (80.7%), Strongyloides sp. (38.4%), Toxocara sp. (30.7%), Spirocerca sp. (15.4%) and Trichuris sp. (11.5%). Regarding animal care, all dogs were in poor body condition, 49% were fed twice a day, 90% defecated in the forest or cocoa agroforestry systems, only 33% were periodically dewormed, 64% were vaccinated against rabies in less than 12 months, and only one dog was vaccinated against other viruses. The results showed that domestic dogs share the same environment as wild animals yet lack some basic health care, increasing the possibility of parasitic transmission between domestic dogs, wildlife and humans from environmental contamination. We highlight the need for responsible pet ownership and the monitoring the health of wild animals and the human population living in this region.

INTESTINAL HELMINTHS INFECTING THE CATFISH, CLARIAS LAZERA IN RELATION TO SEASONAL VARIATIONS AND SOME BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of helminths infecting Clarias lazera and the seasonal variations. Moreover, the relationship between helminthes and host length and sex was studied. C. lazera fish were collected from Ismailia canal (Ismailia city) and examined for intestinal helminths. The total species recorded were three trematodes (Allocreadium sp, Astiotrema reniferum and Orientochreadium batrachoides); two cestodes (Monobothrioides sp and Polyenchobothrium clarias) and two nematodes (Procamallanus laeviconchus, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx). The highest prevalence of infection was observed in winter (72.5%), while the lowest was recorded in summer (52%). Prevalence of infection with intestinal helminthes was higher in males than in females. The medium-sized and large fish showed the highest prevalence and intensity of infection, while the small fish showed low infection rates. Further studies are recommended on C. lazera helminths taking in to consideration the effect of seasonal variations, length and sex of the fish on the prevalence and intensity of infection along Ismailia canal.

Helminths in endemic, native and introduced passerines in New Zealand

The aim of the study was to obtain preliminary data on the occurrence of helminths in New Zealand endemic passerines. We also examined a small number of non-endemic native and introduced birds. Altogether, of 388 samples of faeces or dead birds, 5.4% contained evidence of trematode infections, 7.7% of cestode infections and 1.5% of Capillaria. Trematodes found in the gall bladders of saddlebacks and one song thrush were tentatively identified as belonging to the family Dicrocoeliidae but definitive identifications have yet to be made. The taxonomic position of the trematodes found in tui is unknown. However, these are the first records of trematodes in New Zealand endemic passerines. The presence of cestode infections in saddlebacks, tui and the North Island robin, and of Capillaria in tui, appears not to have been recorded previously.

Heavy metal pollution across sites affecting the intestinal helminth communities of the Egyptian lizard, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775)

This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of heavy metal pollution across sites and some biological factors on helminth communities infecting the lizard, Chalcides ocellatus. The possibility of heavy metal accumulation by such helminths was also investigated. A total of 202 C. ocellatus were collected from three different sites (industrial, rural, and urban systems) in Ismailia governorate, Egypt, during summer 2009. The lizards were classified according to their sex and size and were examined for the intestinal helminths. Heavy metal levels were detected in the intestinal tissue of the lizards and the recovered helminths. Species richness was 6, 5, and 3 in rural, urban, and industrial systems, respectively. Significant site variations regarding infection prevalence, intensity, and abundance were encountered at different levels. Some noticeable effects of the host size were found. The significant differences found between the metal levels of the intestinal tissues and the recovered helminths and the other relations found in this study may be indications for a possible metals accumulation capacity by helminths. The cestode Oochoristica tuberculata could be a promising biomonitor for Cu and Pb, while the intestinal nematodes were less sensitive to the pollution. Differences in the accumulation capacity may be attributed to the intensity of infection, parasite species, and metal. The observed patterns of distribution and occurrence of helminths and the metals accumulation capacity reflect the need for more studies since this study proposes the model intestinal helminth/C. ocellatus as another promising bioindication system in the terrestrial habitat, especially in areas where the lizard C. ocellatus are available.

Occurrence of Helminths in Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) at Lower Moa River Forest, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil

Eleven of 113 (10%) lizards representing 6 of the 17 species (Anolis fuscoauratus, Anolis trachyderma, Plica umbra, Kentropyx pelviceps, Arthrosaura reticulata, and Mabuya nigropunctata) collected in the lower Moa River forest, in the Amazon rainforest in the Brazilian state of Acre, were infected with helminths in the gastrointestinal tracts. The nematodes recovered from lizards were Physaloptera lutzi, Physaloptera retusa, and Physalopteroides venancioi. Three new host records and two new locality records are reported.

Occurrence of helminths in bristle-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus) (Olfers, 1818), Salvador, Brazil

Occurrence of helminths in bristle-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus) (Olfers, 1818), Salvador, Brazil

Helminth fauna of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Estonia.

Thirty-seven carcasses of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) collected and examined in Estonia during 1999-2001 had helminths. Parasites identified and their prevalence included Diphyllobothrium latum (5%), Taenia pisiformis (100%), Taenia laticollis (41%), Taenia hydatigena (3%), Taenia taeniaeformis (3%), Toxocara cati (68%), and Trichinella spp. (22%). The only significant relationships (P < or = 0.05) between occurrence of helminths and host age and sex were a greater number of T. pisiformis and T. laticollis in older than in youger male lynx, and older males had a greater number of species of helminth than did younger lynx. Sixty-one fecal samples collected during snow tracking of nine lynx were examined; eggs of T. cati were identified in 38 samples, and Capillaria spp were found in eight samples. This is the first systematic investigation of parasites of lynx in Estonia.

Helminth parasites of cats from the Vientiane province, Laos, as indicators of the occurrence of causative agents of human parasitoses.

A total of 55 domestic cats (Felis catus f. domestica) and one wild (Bengal) cat (Prionaluirus bengalensis) from the Vientiane Province, central Laos, were examined for helminth parasites with emphasis given to potential human parasites. The following species were found (parasites infective to man marked with an asterisk): Opisthorchis viverrini, Haplorchis pumilio, H. taichui, H. yokogawai, Stellantchasmus falcatus (Digenea); Spirometra sp., Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis (Cestoda); Capillariidae gen. sp., Toxocara canis, T. cali, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, A. tubaeforme, Gnathostoma spinigerum, Physaloptera preputialis (Nematoda); and Oncicola sp. (Acanthocephala). This study demonstrated that examination of cats may provide useful data on the occurrence of helminths which are potential causative agents of human diseases.

Occurrence of helminths in pig fattening units with different management systems in Northern Germany

The helminth infections on 13 pig fattening farms with different management systems (complete or partial all-in-all-out system or continuous fattening) in North-Western Germany were investigated over at least three fattening periods. Pooled faecal samples were taken from pens once before and three times after anthelmintic treatment. At the beginning of fattening 34.9% of the samples contained helminth eggs, mainly from Oesophagostomum spp. (27.5%). Ascaris suum eggs were found in 10.5% of the samples, while other parasites were only rarely found. The number of pig-supplying farms was positively correlated with the helminth infection prevalence. Immediately after deworming, all pen samples were free of helminth eggs. However, the prevalences increased again, and by the end of fattening A. suum was found in 33.0% and strongylids in 6.0% of the samples. Pens harbouring A. suum-excreting pigs at the beginning of fattening had higher infection levels at the end, and this was also the case for nodular worms. The final prevalence of Ascaris was higher in partial exchange systems than in complete all-in-all-out systems and in old pig houses compared to new ones. Transmission of both Ascaris and Oesophagostomum was highest in autumn and winter. Thus, a single anthelmintic treatment at the beginning of fattening could not prevent infection during fattening, and the state of infection at the beginning was associated with the helminth burden at slaughter. Therefore, the purchase of parasite-free pigs in combination with appropriate hygiene management may minimise the initial infection pressure and keep subsequent infection of the herd at a minimum.

Prevalence of viral antibodies and helminths in field populations of house mice (Mus domesticus) in southeastern Australia.

A 13-month study of wild mice (Mus domesticus) in wheatlands in southeastern Australia contrasted changes in the seroprevalence of antibody to 13 viruses and the occurrence of helminths with changes in their population dynamics. Mice were seropositive for mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), rotavirus, minute virus of mice (MVM), mouse adenovirus (MAdV), reovirus (reo 3), and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). The seroprevalences of all but rotavirus varied significantly with time and increased with host density. Near the end of the study, host density declined rapidly and the seroprevalence of MVM and reo 3 increased significantly. These two viruses had low seroprevalence when host survival was high and high seroprevalence when host survival was low, indicating they may play a role in regulating mouse populations. In the case of MVM, there was evidence of a viral epizootic during the decline in mouse abundance. The prevalence of four helminths (Taenia taeniaeformis, Syphacia obvelata, and Vampirolepis spp.) differed significantly with time but showed no apparent association with host density. These findings highlight the need for further study on the effect of viruses on the population dynamics of mice.

Relationship of the prevalence of swine helminths to management practices and anthelmintic treatment in Danish sow herds

During 1982–1984, the occurrence of helminths in 66 sow herds in Denmark was examined by means of faecal samples. The correlations between the prevalences of Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. and management practices were analysed for fatteners and sows, respectively, resulting in four multivariate models. The helminth prevalences were in general low in large herds, specific pathogen-free (SPF) herds and herds with low weaning age. The multivariate analyses showed that only the two latter correlations were significant. The helminth prevalences of the fatteners were not correlated with anthelmintic treatment. In the sow, anthelminitic treatment was significantly correlated with low prevalences of both helminths, despite samples from recently dewormed sows indicating a rather transitory effect. The prevalences of Oesophagostomum in both fatteners and sows were significantly higher on solid floors with straw bedding than on slatted floors without straw, while this was not the case for Ascaris. Tethering of sows was not significantly correlated with helminth prevalences. Daily cleaning was significantly correlated with low helminth prevalences in fatteners, but not in the sows, while disinfection of the pens was only significantly correlated with low prevalences of Oesophagostomum in fatteners. No correlations to washing of the pens were found. The epidemiology of Ascaris and Oesophagostomum is discussed, especially why the latter is the most sensitive to intensive management.

Host-parasite relations of certain endoparasitic helminths of the channel catfish and white crappie in an Oklahoma reservoir.

Fifteen identified species and 13 genera, of endoparasitic helminths (Digenea, Eucestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala) were collected from 207 white crappie and 189 channel catfish June, 1967, through September 1968, from a 3,300-acre, turbid reservoir in northcentral Oklahoma. Differences in the prevalence and intensity of helminths from six reservoir collection sites were not statistically significant. Statistically significant differences in intensity and prevalence of certain helminth were found among different age classes of the hosts. Ontogenetic changes in the food habits of channel catfish, from a diet of invertebrates to fish, were apparently the reason for changes in the occurrence of many enteric helminths. The occurrence of some helminths, however, was independent of age. Changes relating to age in the crappie were limited to the occurrence of Posthodiplostomum minimum where multiple generations of metacercariae accumulate in older fish. These metacercariae occurred in significantly higher number...

The Occurrence of Helminths and Coccidia in Partridges and Pheasants in Denmark

An investigation of the food and parasites of game birds was initiated in October 1936 under the direction of Prof. M. Christiansen of the State Veterinary Serum Laboratory and Prof. R. Spirck of the University of Copenhagen. This investigation was under the auspices of the Jagtfond (Game Foundation) of the Ministry of Agriculture.* Since that time 143 adult and 56 partridge chicks (Perdix perdix) and 169 adult and 67 pheasant chicks (Phasianus colchicus) have been sent in for examination. They came from diverse localities and at different times of the year. Not all were examined for all parasites, since the methods of collecting were improved during the course of this study. The data concerning the numbers of each species of parasite are roughly quantitative. It is felt that they present an adequate preliminary picture both of the various parasites involved and the intensity of the infections therewith. Although the number of birds examined was rather small, several interesting points have been revealed concerning the variation in numbers of certain parasites in pheasants as compared with partridges and also the variation in the number of certain parasites attributable to age differences of the hosts.