Oesophagostomum Spp Research Articles

Concurrent Infection of Oesophagostomum species in a Slaughtered Goat: A Case Report

The morbidity and mortality of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats made them one of the most significant parasites in the world, causing huge economic loss for farmers. It has been reported that the economic loss due to gastrointestinal parasitism was Rs. 372.35 per goat annually. In the present study, the intestinal sample was collected from a local slaughter house at Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, for screening the gastrointestinal nematodes. Initially, the pathological lesions like nodules, cyst and haemorrhagic patches etc. were examined for any parasitic infection. The found worms in the intestinal content were subjected for microscopic examination for the identification of the nematode and identified them as Oesophagostomum spp. based on buccal capsule with cephalic and cervical structures. Interestingly, both Oesophagostomum columbianum and O. asperum species were found in the same sample. The male and female Oesophagostomum species were also differentiated by examining the spicule and gubernacular length, position of the vulva and anus. This study reports the infection of Oesophagostomum spp. in a goat and the first case report of concurrent infection of O. columbianum and O. asperum in the Bareilly region of Uttar Pradesh.

Monepantel-based anthelmintic combinations to optimize parasite control in cattle

Improvement in the use of existing anthelmintics is a high priority need for the pharmaco-parasitology research field, considering the magnitude and severity of anthelmintic resistance as an important issue in livestock production. In the work described here, monepantel (MNP) was given alone or co-administered with either macrocyclic lactone (ML) or benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics to calves naturally infected with ML- and BZ-resistant gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes on two different commercial cattle farms. Both pharmacokinetic (PK) and efficacy assessments were performed. On Farm A, male calves (n = 15 per group) were treated with either MNP orally (2.5 mg/kg), IVM s.c. (0.2 mg/kg), ricobendazole (RBZ) s.c. (3.75 mg/kg) or remained untreated. On Farm B, eight groups (n = 15) of male calves received treatment with either: MNP, abamectin (ABM, oral, 0.2 mg/kg), RBZ (s.c., 3.75 mg/kg), albendazole (ABZ, oral, 5 mg/kg), MNP+ABM, MNP+RBZ, MNP+ABZ (all at the above-mentioned routes and doses) or remained untreated. Seven animals from each treated group (Farm B) were randomly selected to perform the PK study. MNP and its metabolite monepantel sulphone (MNPSO2) were the main analytes recovered in plasma after HPLC analysis. The combined treatments resulted in decreased systemic exposures to MNP parent drug compared with that observed after treatment with MNP alone (P < 0.05). However, the systemic availability of the main MNP metabolite (MNPSO2) was unaffected by co-administration with either ABM, RBZ or ABZ. Efficacies of 98% (Farm A) and 99% (Farm B) demonstrated the high efficacy of MNP given alone (P < 0.05) against GI nematodes resistant to ML and BZ in cattle. While the ML (IVM, ABM) failed to control Haemonchus spp., Cooperia spp. and Ostertagia spp., MNP achieved 99% to 100% efficacy against those nematode species on both commercial farms. However, MNP alone failed to control Oesophagostomum spp. (60% efficacy) on Farm A. The co-administered treatments MNP+ABZ and MNP+RBZ reached a 100% reduction against all GI nematode genera. In conclusion, the oral treatment with MNP should be considered to deal with resistant nematode parasites in cattle. The use of MNP in combination with BZ compounds could be a valid strategy to extend its lifespan for use in cattle as well as to reverse its poor activity against Oesophagostomum spp.

Evaluation of the Level of Parasites Infection in Pigs as an Element of Sustainable Pig Production

Pig production is based on routine deworming and very rarely includes endoparasitological diagnosis. Monitoring pig production through a consideration of endoparasites in the herd should be part of the pig health program, which will directly translate into the amount of production costs and improve the condition of animals. The aim of this study was the diagnosis of endoparasitic infection in sows and piglets as an element of sustainable pig production. Parasitological examination was performed using coproscopic methods. The experimental material were faeces collected from the same sows from gestation to lactation and their piglets. The total number of coproscopic samples was 840. In the collected material Oesophagostomum spp., Ascaris suum and Eimeria spp. in sows were diagnosed, while in piglets, Eimeria spp. and Oesophagostomum spp were diagnosed. A relationship between the intensity of coccidian infections of lactating sows and the intensity of the infection of piglets was also demonstrated (rs = 0.57; p = 0.035). Sows are the primary source of infections in piglets. The assessment of infection intensity using diagnostic methods in sows should be the basis of an endoparasite control, because deworming without a prior diagnostic gives a short term effect and excludes the principles of the sustainable development of pig production.

Prevalence of Helminth Parasites of Swine in three Selected Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Helminth infections of swine are common, but reports on the economic losses are not available. Though they cause a reduction in weight gain by interfering with food digestion, absorption, and feed conversion efficiency, there has been an increase in feeding cost complicated by helminth parasite infections. The losses are difficult to substantiate due to the chronic nature of helminth infections. This study sought to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of swine helminth infections in three local government areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was applied to selected pig farms and animals from three local government areas in Ibadan for participation. 10 grams of freshly voided faeces were collected from a total of 246 pigs into a sterile labelled bottle containing 10% formalin until processed. Faecal samples were examined in the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan. Oral interviews were made to assess the daily routine activities and health status of the pigs from farm owners. Results: The overall prevalence of helminth parasites of swine in this study was 34.2% while the species prevalence of four helminth parasites obtained in this study included: A. suum 35 (14.26%), T. suis 23 (9.3%), Oesophagostomum spp 17 (6.9%), and Strongyloides spp 9 (3.6%). Also the overall single and mixed helminth infections were 70.2% and 29.8% in the three local government areas respectively; helminth parasitic load was highest in grower pigs (48.4%), followed by piglets (31.6%), and lowest in adult pigs (22.5%) without significant difference (p&gt;0.05). Female pigs demonstrated a higher parasite burden (37.6%) than male pigs (30.6%) with no significant difference (p&gt;0.05). Semi-intensively managed farms had a higher parasite load (71%) than those under the intensive system (24%) while farms that administered anthelmintic recorded a lower prevalence (15%), and those without had a higher (63%) significance (p&lt;0.05). Pigs in Ona-Ara and Akinyele local government areas voided low (EPG≤100) to moderate (EPG≥100&lt;500) amount of helminth eggs while pigs in Egbeda local government area excreted high (EPG≥500≤1000). Conclusion: The risk factors for helminth infections in pigs are age, sex, farm management practice, and anthelminthic administration.

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths of slaughtered pigs at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

A 3-week study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered pigs at Bodija Abattoir, Ibadan. Five faecal samples per day were collected for 21 days (105 samples) from the rectum of slaughtered pigs, stored in sterile container, labeled appropriately and then transported in a flask with ice pack to the parasitology laboratory of the department of veterinary parasitology and microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, where they were preserved in 10 % formalin before processing for laboratory analysis. Formalin-ether sedimentation/floatation method was used for identification of the gastrointestinal parasites. The results showed overall prevalence of 62.85 % with the presence of four nematodes (Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp, Metastrongyloides spp and Strongyloides spp) and one protozoan (Isospora spp). Ascaris suum (25.71 %) was the most prevalent, followed by Oesophagostomum spp and Isospora spp (14.29 % each), Metastrongyloides spp (5.71 %) whereas the least was Strongyloides spp (2.86 %) with mean eggs per gram (EPG) of 640±5.23, 500±1.06, 2190±2.34, 400±1.76 and 670±0.23 respectively. With regards to sex, sows had greater prevalence of 63.83 % as opposed to boars with 62.07 % though not significantly different (p&gt;0.05). It can be concluded that there was high prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes in the study area. Therefore, strict sanitation and improved management practices as well as quarterly broad spectrum anthelminthics to be administered to the pigs are recommended

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites and Its Impact on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Pigs Raised Under Near-Organic Conditions.

Parasite infection is a common problem in organic pig production, which can compromise health and growth of pigs, threaten food safety of pork products, and cause economic losses to organic farmers. To develop management strategies for controlling parasites, we evaluated intestinal parasite infection in pigs at different ages and of different sexes, and investigated whether parasite infection influences growth performance and carcass traits in a cross-sectional study. Fecal samples were collected from pigs (n = 298) raised under near-organic standards during nursery, growing, finishing, and gestating phases for analysis of fecal egg counts (FEC) of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and Oesophagostomum spp. Ascaris suum eggs were not detected in the feces of nursery pigs. Eggs of Ascaris suum were found in 45%, 74%, and 0% of fecal samples of growing pigs, finishing pigs, and gestating sows, respectively, after false-positive adjustment (P < 0.001). Mean FEC of Ascaris suum was higher in infected finishing pigs than in infected growing pigs [2,502 vs. 724 eggs per gram (epg), P < 0.001]. No differences in percent of Ascaris suum positive samples or FEC of Ascaris suum were detected between sexes. Growth performance and carcass traits were not different between non-infected pigs and those infected with Ascaris suum. All pigs (n = 32) examined at slaughter had white spots on the liver, and 78% harbored Ascaris suum worms. Trichuris suis eggs were not detected in any fecal samples. Eggs of Oesophagostomum spp. were found in 7%, 0%, 1%, and 9% of fecal samples of nursery pigs, growing pigs, finishing pigs, and gestating sows, respectively, with a maximum FEC of 40 epg in all age groups. These results indicate Ascaris suum was the predominant parasite infecting growing and finishing pigs in the herds studied. To control A. suum infection, future research should investigate the efficacy of treating pigs with organically approved anthelmintics during the growing phase of production.

Numerical Calculation of Sink Velocities for Helminth Eggs in Water

The settling velocities of helminth eggs of three types, namely Ascaris suum (ASC), Trichuris suis (TRI), and Oesophagostomum spp. (OES), in clean tap water are computationally determined by means of computational fluid dynamics, using the general-purpose CFD software ANSYS Fluent 18.0. The previous measurements of other authors are taken as the basis for the problem formulation and validation, whereby the latter is performed by comparing the predicted sink velocities with those measured in an Owen tube. To enable a computational treatment, the measured shapes of the eggs are parametrized by idealizing them in terms of elementary geometric forms. As the egg shapes show a variation within each class, “mean” shapes are considered. The sink velocities are obtained through the computationally obtained drag coefficients. The latter are defined by means of steady-state calculations. Predicted sink velocities are compared with the measured ones. It is observed that the calculated values show a better agreement with the measurements, for ASC and TRI, compared to the theoretical sink values delivered by the Stokes theory. However, the observed agreement is still found not to be very satisfactory, indicating the role of further parameters, such as the uncertainties in the characterization of egg shapes or flocculation effects even in clean tap water.

Multi-species Grazing for Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes – a Review

Abstract Multi-species grazing, alternate grazing of cattle with sheep or goats, offers benefits to gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) control as GIN species differ between hosts. In the Southeastern United States, common GIN species of cattle include Cooperia spp., Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus spp., whereas species of sheep and goats are Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia curticei, and Oesophagostomum spp. Anthelmintic resistance is widely prevalent in small ruminants, and is an increasing problem in cattle, but remains less prevalent. Thus, it is recommended to farmers to use a multi-faceted approach of GIN control, including multi-species grazing. Because management differs between cattle and small ruminants in regard to copper tolerance in minerals, predator control and fencing, alternate grazing of species has most commonly been used. Other considerations include age or susceptibility to GIN, as young calves may be vulnerable to GIN, but mature cows often have negligible GIN infection. Similarly, weanling lambs and kids are susceptible, and depending on breed, adults range from highly resistant to susceptible. Research indicates that GIN burden of more resistant animals is less influenced by multi-species grazing, and highly susceptible animals will likely need additional measures of control. The more resistant species used in the multi-species grazing may lend more control to the more susceptible. Some research showed reductions in O. ostertagi, but not C. oncophora in cattle during extended grazing of cattle and sheep, and reductions of H. contortus and T. colubriformis in sheep. However, other research reported similar worm burdens. Weight gains were improved in lambs grazed alternately with cattle in some studies, and most studies showed little benefit to cattle. Little has been published on alternate grazing with cattle and goats. The complex interactions, larger plot sizes needed, and time required to complete experiments limits published studies of this important management scheme.

Gastrointestinal parasites of a reintroduced semi-wild plains bison (Bison bison bison) herd: Examining effects of demographic variation, deworming treatments, and management strategy.

Bison (Bison spp) are being reintroduced into semi-wild, spatially constrained herds across North America and Europe. Herd managers are concerned about gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasites as they care for the health of their bison. We examine how demographics, grazing location, herd management, and anthelmintic treatments affect the fecal egg counts (FECs) of GI nematodes within a reintroduced Plains bison (Bison bison bison) herd in the Great Plains. Our results suggest that younger bison (<2 years of age) experience higher GI parasite eggs/oocysts per gram (epg/opg) and that some taxa are more prevalent throughout different periods of a bison's early years. Demographic findings suggest that calf and yearling (0–2 yrs age) bison have the highest FECs and that these decline until reaching a low in peak adulthood and thereafter (x > 6 yrs of age). FECs of both Trichuris spp. and particularly Nematodirus spp. were much more abundant, relatively, during the first year of a bison's life. This pattern was also true of Moniezia spp. and Eimeria spp., however, strongyle-type spp. FECs appeared to peak in relative abundance during the second year of life. Our data also indicate that FECs are influenced by differences in land-use histories of pastures previously grazed by cattle or by the proportion of frequent flooding in different pastures. Treatment results suggest that fenbendazole may more effective than moxidectin at lowering FECs of bison over the long-term, and lasting effects of at least one administered anthelmintic treatment. Multiplex PCR assays revealed that American bison share GI nematodes with cattle including: Ostertagia spp., Haemonchus placei, Cooperia onchophora, and Oesophagostomum spp, but did not detect the presence Trichostrongylus columbriformis. Our results may have wider conservation implications for reintroduction efforts of American bison, as well as the endangered European bison (Bison bonasus).

The Occurence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Slaughtered Cattle in Azare,North-East Nigeria

A Cross-sectional Study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (G.I.) helminths parasites in slaughtered cattle at Azare abattoir, Katagum Local Government Area, Bauchi State, North-Eastern Nigeria. One hundred and twenty faecal samples were examined using the floatation and sedimentation method. Out of the total samples tested, G.I. helminths infections were detected in 62samples tested, giving an overall prevalence of 51.6%. Class nematodes are the most diverse class (56.5%) and then followed by trematodes (35.5%), while cestodes are the least prevalent (8.1%). There was a statistically significant difference in P-value &gt;0.05. The sex revealed that males (52.6%) are more susceptible to G.I. helminths infection than females (50.0%) even though there is no statistical difference at P-value &gt;0.05. However, the prevalence of G.I. helminths to age revealed a statistical difference at P-value &gt;0.05, where the young have the highest prevalence of 59.5%. The Red Bororo breeds had the highest prevalence of 75%, while the least was recorded in White Fulani and Sokoto Gudali, 40% each. There was a statistically significant difference at P-value &gt;0.05. This study revealed that Fasciola spp (15%) is the most prevalent G.I. helminths parasites detected, followed by Oesophagostomum spp (11.7%); Haemonchus spp (9.2%); Strongyloides spp (8.3%), Schistosoma spp (3.3%); and Moniezia spp (1.67%). Our findings from the present study revealed a high prevalence of G.I. helminths species affecting cattle in Azare and Nigeria as a whole. Therefore, there is a great need for proper advocacy on the need for appropriate management, regular deworming practices, and improved cattle hygiene to boost animal production. This will help in curbing great lost to Nigeria's economy and the world in general.

Estudio preliminar sobre la inhibición in vitro de nematodos gastrointestinales de ovinos con extractos acuosos de plantas forrajeras

The presence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep is a low productivity cause. This study aimed to determine the in vitro efficiency of aqueous extracts of Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Bursera simaruba at three different doses (0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mL), inhibiting the egg hatching of GIN from sheep. The efficiency of inhibition in egg hatching (IEH), larval identification, and its genera proportion were evaluated. Analysis of data was performed using Chi-square tests and Analysis of variance. The four extracts obtained an IEH of 50%, being similar (p > 0.05) between them. The 1.25 mL dose and its combinations of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium at 1.25 mL dose obtained the highest efficiency (68.0, 85.0, and 77.0%, respectively). Five genera of larva were identified (Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Oesophagostomum spp, Cooperia spp, and Nematodirus spp). The highest prevalence (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained by Haemonchus spp (58.0%). According to the results, the four aqueous extracts exhibited ovicidal activity. However, the 1.25 mL dose and the Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium extracts at 1.25 mL doses were the most effective.

Identification of endoparasites in Spotted deer (Axis axis) gastrointestinal tract conserved in Hasanuddin University entrance park, Makassar

The objective of this study was to identify endoparasite in the Spotted deers’ (Axis axis) gastrointestinal tract conserved in Taman Pintu Satu (Park entrance) Hasanuddin University, Makassar. The study was conducted from October to December 2014 and continued in February 2015. Thirty-three samples were collected randomly and examined by the fluid method. Results showed that endoparasites were found in one of 25 samples in the dry season and three of eight samples in the wet season. The endoparasites were identified as Oesophagostomum spp, Haemonchus sp, Eimeria spp. The season, geographical location, and temperature were considered as the most critical factors of the occurrence of parasites in one place. This finding indicates that some factors could lead to the occurrence of endoparasites in animals, especially in Spotted deer.

Impact of a single treatment of injectable doramectin on weight gain post weaning in beef heifers and steers in central Queensland, Australia.

To demonstrate the impact of a single drench with a label dose of injectable doramectin subsequent to weaning on the growth and performance of heifers and steers in central Queensland beef herds. Three studies were undertaken on recently-weaned Bos indicus-cross beef calves with ≥ 75% B. indicus content on two farms in central Queensland, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Farm 1 was located 50 km north and Farm 2 75 km north-west of Rockhampton. In each study, half of a group of recently-weaned beef calves were treated by random allocation with 0.2 mg/kg of injectable doramectin, and the remainder acting as untreated controls. Study 1 (Farm 1) enrolled 250 heifers, while studies 2 and 3 (Farm 2) both enrolled 200 steers and 200 heifers. The farms involved did not historically use macrocyclic lactone-based drenches on their cattle. There were varying periods of follow-up, with treated and control cattle pastured as one group throughout the study period. Worm burdens were monitored using standard faecal egg counts and larval differentiation procedures. In all studies, the worm genera present were a mix of Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. In study 1, conducted on Farm 1 beginning 9 July 2012, doramectin-treated cattle gained an average of 0.27 kg/day while control cattle gained 0.19 kg/day over a monitoring period of 121 days (P < 0.0001). In study 2, conducted on Farm 2 beginning 28 July 2015, doramectin-treated cattle gained an average of 0.15 kg/day versus 0.145 kg/day in the control group (P = 0.44) over a 231-day study period. In study 3, conducted on Farm 2 beginning 4 August 2016, doramectin-treated steers and heifers gained an average of 0.431 and 0.402 kg/day versus 0.342 and 0.311 kg/day in the control group, respectively, over the first 91 days of the study (P < 0.0001 in both cases). The differences in average daily gain (ADG) in subsequent time periods were not statistically significant for steers or heifers. However, overall differences in ADG from day 0 remained statistically significant out to day 258, when the study ended for the heifers. By day 594, when the study ended for the steers, the difference in ADG was no longer significant. Treatment with injectable doramectin soon after weaning resulted in improved weight gain in the 3 months after weaning in two of the three studies.

Use of ELISA and Western blot for serological detection of antibodies to E-S antigens of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae in sera of swine experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the detection of trichinellosis using ELISA, and to determine the degree of variation of IgG antibodies against excretory-secretory (E-S) antigens of T. spiralis muscle larvae. Ten young Polish Large White native breed pigs were experimentally inoculated with a low dose of 300 invasive Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) muscle larvae (ML). Pig sera were collected at 7 and 9 days prior to the experimental infection with T. spiralis and at 9, 14, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 37, 41 and 46 days post-infection (d.p.i.). Western blotting was used as a follow-up test to detect anti-T. spiralis IgG and confirm the results provided by ELISA. The molecular weight of the E-S antigenic proteins of T. spiralis muscle larvae reacting with the sera from the infected pigs was determined. Finally, the intensity of T. spiralis infection (lpg) was determined as an average value of 16 muscles taken from each pig. The E-S antigen of T. spiralis muscle larvae in the in-house ELISA and immunoblotting assays did not demonstrate any cross-reaction with non-infected pig sera and sera from pigs naturally infected with Oesophagostomum spp. The ELISA assay did not recognize trichinellosis in pigs until 27 days after the T. spiralis infection. The anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies were first detected on day 30 post-infection. The immunoblotting technique confirmed the presence of anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies in all serum samples evaluated as ELISA-positive. The Western blot detected anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies on the same day they were detected for the first time by ELISA in five pigs, whereas the immunoblot assay detected seroconversion 2, 3 or 4 days earlier than ELISA in the remaining three pigs. The swine sera reacted with a broad range of T. spiralis ML E-S antigens with molecular weights ranging from 30 to 88 kDa and the most frequently recognized proteins were 45, 49 and 60 kDa.

Supplementation with dry Mimosa caesalpiniifolia leaves can reduce the Haemonchus contortus worm burden of goats

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) cause considerable economic losses in grazing goat herds. At present, GIN control cannot rely on conventional anthelmintic (AH) drugs because parasites have developed resistance against such drugs. Thus, alternative control methods are being sought to reduce the dependence on AH. Many tannin-rich plants exhibit AH activity and may be used as alternatives for GIN control. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is a tannin-rich shrub consumed by small ruminants in Brazil. This study evaluated the in vivo AH effect of M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder supplementation on GIN egg fecal excretion and worm burden in goats. Plant leaves were harvested, dried and ground to obtain a powder. Twenty-four castrated male goats, aged six to eight months, with a mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.5 kg were used in the experiment. Animals were infected orally with 16,000 larvae comprising 50% Haemonchus spp., 41% Trichostrongylus spp. and 9% Oesophagostomum spp. Once the infection was patent, the goats were distributed into four groups of six animals. The control group received concentrate without condensed tannins (CTs) and did not receive any drench against GINs. The monepantel group received concentrate without CTs and were drenched once with monepantel. The other two groups received the M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder in two periods of seven consecutive days (days 1–7 and 14–21), with one of the groups also receiving 10 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)/day. The animals were weighed weekly, and individual fecal eggs counts (FECs) were performed daily. After 28 days, the animals were humanly slaughtered, and the worm burden was estimated. Although live weight gain and FECs did not differ among the groups (P > 0.05), post-mortem worm counts showed a reduction in Haemonchus contortus adult worm burden (57.7%) in goats of the CT group compared to control goats (P < 0.05). The addition of PEG did not diminish AH activity in the CT + PEG group (66.9% reduction compared to the control). No AH effect against other GIN species was found. The result for the addition of PEG suggested that the observed AH activity was associated with plant secondary compounds, as opposed to CTs. As expected, no AH effect against Oesophagostomum columbianum was found for the monepantel group showed. Thus, feeding dry leaves of M. caesalpiniifolia represent a promising alternative for the control of GIN infections in goats.

Detection of Experimental Swine Trichinellosis Using Commercial Elisa Test.

The aim of the study carried out on ten young (10-week old) pigs of the native Polish Large White breed experimentally infected with a low dose of 300 invasive muscle larvae (ML) of Trichinella spiralis was intravital detection of trichinellosis using the E-S ELISA test, determination of a variation level of IgG antibodies against excretory-secretory (E-S) antigens of T. spiralis muscle larvae and finally, describing the intensity of T. spiralis larvae infection in selected muscles. The pig sera were collected at 7 and 9 days prior to the experimental infection with T. spiralis and at 9, 14, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 37, 41, 46 days post-infection (d.p.i.). The anti-T. spiralis IgG antibodies were detected by a commercial E-S ELISA test (PrioCHECK Trichinella Ab). Average intensity of the T. spiralis infection in the examined muscles of pigs ranged from 1.52 up to 43.09 larvae/g. The studies revealed that the E-S antigen in the ELISA test did not show cross-reaction with the sera of pigs infected with Oesophagostomum spp. The ELISA assay did not recognize trichinellosis in pigs until 27 days after the T. spiralis infection. The anti-T. spiralis IgG antibodies were first detected on day 30 post-infection. A statistically significant increase of IgG antibodies against T. spiralis ML E-S antigens was first observed between days 27-30 (p<0.01) post-infection, and a further significant rise in the antibody level occurred between days 27 and 33 (p<0.01); 30 and 33 (p<0.01); 33 and 37 (p<0.05) following infection.

Prevalence of three Oesophagostomum spp. from Tibetan Pigs analyzed by Genetic Markers of nad1, cox3 and ITS1.

Parasitic nematodes of Oesophagostomum spp., commonly known as 'nodular worms' are one of the most widely distributed and prevalent emerging zoonotic nematodes. However, little is known about the prevalence and gene characteristics of those parasites in Tibetan pigs. Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, isolation and identification of Oesophagostomum spp from Tibetan pigs by genetic markers of nad1,cox3 and ITS1 for the first time. The results revealed that the infection rate of O. dentatum and O. quadrispinulatum by genetic markers of nad1 was 81.13%; 35 (66.04%); the O. dentatum and O. quadrispinulatum by genetic markers cox3 was 66.04%, and O. dentatum and O. stephanostomum by genetic markers ITS1 was found to be 77.36%. Interestingly, the O. stephanostomum specie was identified and isolated from 90.48% stomach and 69.23% colon samples by genetic markers of ITS1. The present study, for the first time has described the presence and genetic characterization of Oesophagostomun spp of O. dentatum, O. quadrispinulatum and especially O. stephanostomum in Tibetan pigs from the high and remote Tibetan plateau. A public concern should be raised in terms of economical losses and severe public health problem.

The influence of endoparasites on selected production parameters in pigs in various housing systems

The aim of the study was to determine the level of lean meat content and daily gains of 400 fatteners infected by endoparasites and kept in two systems (shallow and deep litter). Slaughter evaluation of the pigs was conducted according to the EUROP carcass classification.In order to evaluate the average daily gains (g) during finishing period, body weights were investigated twice: at the beginning and at the end of the finishing period.The housing system affected the presence of Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. Infestation was found to be higher on shallow than on deep litter, and it significantly affected selected fattening and slaughter parameters of the fatteners. Infected animals were characterized by gains approximately 60 g lower than those of uninfected ones, while meatiness was higher in fatteners which were not infected at the end of the fattening period compared to animals with parasites (55.2% vs. 52.0%).

Gastro-intestinal nematodes of goats reared under communal small scale farming conditions in Botswana

The study was carried out in goats reared under communal small scale farming conditions near Gaborone, Botswana, to evaluate two sample preparation methods for McMaster egg counting technique, determine worm egg counts (WEC), identify nematode genera by larval culture, and determine abomasal and intestinal worm counts. Goat faecal samples (n = 30) were collected, split, and paired for preparation by either the simple method or the standard method and WEC was performed using the McMaster technique. The simple method resulted in significantly higher WEC than the standard method (p =0.04). The WEC of a cohort of goats from Modipane communal small scale farmers (n = 30) was found to be 995±229 eggs per gram (EPG). Larval culture of Modipane herds identified Trichostrongylus spp at 86 percent and Haemonchus spp, Ostertagia spp, Oesophagostomum spp, and Chabertia spp all occurring at less than 5 % each. Abomasal worm counts of two separate groups of goats at slaughter were found to be 110 ± 28 Haemonchus spp (n = 21) and 277 ± 129 Haemonchus spp (n = 30) in goats with WEC of 836 ± 236 EPG and 642 ± 120 EPG respectively. Intestinal worms were not found in the group (n = 30) that was tested for them. It was concluded that there is a significant worm burden among goats reared under communal small scale farming conditions in Botswana. Keywords: Nematodes, McMaster technique, goats, abomasal worm count, worm burden

First report of cattle farms with gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to levamisole in Mexico

The objectives of the present study were: (1) to report the percentage of cattle farms with gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) resistant to levamisole in Veracruz, Mexico, (2) to identify the genera of GINs involved in resistance, and (3) to identify factors associated with these resistances. The faecal egg count reduction test (McMaster technique) was used to detect the presence of resistant GINs. A questionnaire was given to owners to understand the history of anthelmintic use. The percentage of cattle farms with GINs resistant to levamisole was 36.4% (4/11). The percentage of faecal egg count reduction on resistant farms was 91%, 82%, 42% and 88%. A similar number of cattle farms (4/11) were identified as potentially having levamisole resistance. Only three farms had GIN populations susceptible to levamisole. Cooperia spp. was the genus most commonly found to be resistant, followed by Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. No factors were identified that influenced the presence of GIN resistance. However, there were identified inappropriate anthelmintic practices in cattle farms that should be improved. None of the farmers weighed their animals in order to dose them correctly with anthelmintics. Six cattle farms (54.5%) applied anthelmintics to new arriving animals. This is the first report of levamisole resistant GINs in Mexico. Improving the use of anthelmintics and measures of quarantine for infected cattle will help control the spread of resistance.