Stomach Worm Research Articles

Electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (e-ELISA) for parasitic nematode Ostertagia ostertagi (brown stomach worm) infections in dairy cattle.

A sensitive electrochemical immunoassay (e-ELISA) has been developed for the detection of the gastrointestinal parasitic nematode Ostertagia ostertagi (brown stomach worm) in infected and control serum samples. An antigen-indirect immunoassay format was employed to detect the presence of O. ostertagi antibodies, coupled with an anti-species monoclonal horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate. ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) and TMB (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine/hydrogen peroxide) were investigated as both chromogenic visualising reagents for optical ELISA and electroactive substrates for electrochemical ELISA in the HRP catalysed oxidation reaction. Coulometry was applied for the detection of O. ostertagi antibodies (via TMB electrochemistry) and compared with the commercial optical ELISA (ABTS based SVANOVIR® O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA kit). Cost-effective in-house sensors were designed and fabricated using polyester and chemical adhesive materials with the aid of stencil printing and laser machining techniques. The performance of the electrochemical ELISA and sensor was evaluated by investigating redox mediators (ABTS vs. TMB), stop solutions (sodium dodecyl sulfate vs. sulfuric acid) and incubation times (150 min vs. 70 min vs. 25 min). For a total assay incubation time of 70 minutes, the TMB/H2SO4 based e-ELISA was able to differentiate between positive (P) and negative (N) control serum samples, with a P/N70 control ratio 1.6 times higher than that of optical ELISA (TMB/H2SO4 combination) and 2.9 times higher than that of the commercial ELISA kit (ABTS/SDS combination). Furthermore, the e-ELISA approach is quicker and required only 25 min (total incubation time) with even better response (P/N25 = 14.7), which is approximately 4-fold higher than the optical immunoassay (P/N25 = 3.8). The proposed e-ELISA is specific (selective Ab-Ag interactions) and highly sensitive - capable of detecting up to 16-fold dilutions of a positive control serum sample. The electrochemical ELISA approach has the potential for rapid sample screening in a portable, disposable format, contributing to the quest for effective prevention and control of parasitic Ostertagia ostertagi infections in cattle.

Risk factor meta-analysis and Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values for hypersensibility to cutaneous habronematidosis in donkeys

Cutaneous habronematidosis (CH) is a highly prevalent seasonally recurrent skin disease that affects donkeys as a result from the action of spirurid stomach worm larvae. Carrier flies mistakenly deposit these larvae on previous skin lesions or on the moisture of natural orifices, causing distress and inflicting relapsing wounds to the animals. First, we carried out a meta-analysis of the predisposing factors that could condition the development of CH in Andalusian donkeys. Second, basing on the empirical existence of an inter and intrafamilial variation previously addressed by owners, we isolated the genetic background behind the hypersensibility to this parasitological disease. To this aim, we designed a Bayesian linear model (BLM) to estimate the breeding values and genetic parameters for the hypersensibility to CH as a way to infer the potential selection suitability of this trait, seeking the improvement of donkey conservation programs. We studied the historical record of the cases of CH of 765 donkeys from 1984 to 2017. Fixed effects included birth year, birth season, sex, farm/owner, and husbandry system. Age was included as a linear and quadratic covariate. Although the effects of birth season and birth year were statistically non-significant (P > 0.05), their respective interactions with sex and farm/owner were statistically significant (P < 0.01), what translated into an increase of 40.5% in the specificity and of 0.6% of the sensibility of the model designed, when such interactions were included. Our BLM reported highly accurate genetic parameters as suggested by the low error of around 0.005, and the 95% credible interval for the heritability of ±0.0012. The CH hypersensibility heritability was 0.0346. The value of 0.1232 for additive genetic variance addresses a relatively low genetic variation in the Andalusian donkey breed. Our results suggest that farms managed under extensive husbandry conditions are the most protective ones against developing CH. Furthermore, these results provide evidence of the lack of repercussion of other factors such as age or sex. Potentially considering CH hypersensibility as a negative selection aimed goal in donkey breeding programs, may turn into a measure to improve animal welfare indirectly. However, the low heritability value makes it compulsory to control environmental factors to ensure the effectiveness of the breeding measures implemented to obtain individuals that may genetically be less prone to develop the condition.

A systematic review of the relationship between dystemprament (sue Mizaj) and treatments and management of diseases (Ilaj and Eslah-e-Mizaj).

BackgroundTemperament refers to four different humors differentiating in individuals and, as a result, proposes specific therapy for diseases as well as special types of management (avoidance).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to overview the relationship between dystemprament and treatment and management of diseases.MethodsA computerized search of published articles was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline databases as well as local sources from 1965 to 2016. Additional sources were identified through cross-referencing. Original and translated books were also used. Of the whole 105 articles, 40 of them were selected as our database. The search terms used were as follows: temperament, dystemprament, diseases, sue mizaj, treatments, management.ResultsThe findings of this study indicated that many remedies are used based on traditional medicine to cure disorders derived from dystemprament such as different kinds of regimen, diet, and drugs. The result of this study shows that regimental therapy contributes to the treatment of some disorders such as muscular dystrophy; Alzheimer’s; MS; epilepsy; falij; convulsion; depression; eye diseases; ear disease; mouth, tongue, teeth disease; common cold (nazle); asthma; polyphagia or anorexia; heart diseases; esophagus; peptic ulcer; herpes simplex; liver; colic; jaundice; spleen; kidney and bladder diseases; hemorrhoid; stomach worm; hyperlipidemia. Further, the findings suggest that dietotherapy is beneficial to treat and manage some disease such as sinusitis, lung, asthma, fever, muscular dystrophy, esophagus, peptic ulcer, liver, mouth, tongue, teeth disease, heart disease, polyphagia or anorexia, kidney and bladder diseases, MS, insomnia, piles, acne, permanent ejaculation, anemia, angina and heart attack, sore throat (tonsillitis), osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and impotency.ConclusionWhile traditional medicine contains many useful, less expensive, and even cheap and less risky remedies for lots of morbidities, modern medicine makes them appear nonrelevant. This study gathers some of these remedies to remind one about applying them in our daily lives.

Livestock and poultry health management in Saint Martin’s island

The study was performed to find out the existing status of livestock and poultry in the Saint Martin’s island, to determine the prevalence of parasitic and other infectious and non-infectious diseases of these, and to find out the existence of intermediate hosts of various parasites in the island. Prevalence of endoparasites in cattle, buffalo and goat was higher in winter than that of summer. Prevalence of stomach worm was highest in goat in both winter (50%) and summer (40%). 31.47% cattle harbored stomach worm infection in winter and 15.79% in summer. More than 20% buffaloes suffered from either single infection with Fasciola and Paramphistomum or in combination in both the seasons. Goat suffered from some extra species like Moniezia and Trichuris and the prevalence is just double in winter than that of summer. Morbidity rate of FMD in cattle is high, although mortality is low. But, in case of chicken, both morbidity and mortality rates were high enough to make a massive loss with respect to number and production due to Ranikhet/Newcastle Disease (ND), pox in the island. About 92.11% of total chicken population was lost every year due to outbreak of ND. Incidence of infectious disease in livestock and poultry in the island is very high as because the farmers cannot immunize the animals through routine vaccination. Even some farmers do not know about the immunization of livestock and poultry, and the veterinary service is not available in the island.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2015, 1(3): 622-627

Prevalence of intestinal parasitism of swine in a North Central State of Nigeria

Objective: Swine production is one of the most popular and promising livestock production industries in many parts of Nigeria. It prides itself in contributing to the supplementation of the overall national protein intake, gainfully engaging the citizenry in the industry and generating foreign exchange to the nation through export of produce and products. However, the swine production industry in Nigeria faced with religious and cultural constraints as well as several infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in swine in the North Central State of Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 920 pigs comprising of 874 (95%) and 46 (5%) foreign and indigenous breed of pigs respectively were investigated in this study. Quantitative Mcmaster egg-counting technique was used for counting eggs of parasites. Semi-structured questionnaires was used to generate demographic data during October 2014 to March 2015. Results: Fifty five percent pigs were found to be positive for Hyostrogylus rubidus, while Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and other unidentified eggs were present in 23, 17 and 5% pigs, respectively. ‘Red Stomach Worm’ infection in swine was the highest parasitic burden observed as compared to other parasites. Spreading of infection within sexes had a P value of >0.5. Conclusion: The prevalence of parasites in pigs obtained in this work is a consequence of improper husbandry measures and irregular veterinary medical intervention.

Evaluation of the Productivity of a Single Subcutaneous Injection of LongRange in Stocker Calves Compared With a Positive (Dectomax) and a Negative (Saline) Control

Subclinical parasitism is commonly observed in stocker cattle. Treatment of internal parasites helps to improve weight gains, feed conversion, and immune status and decreases morbidity and mortality of beef cattle (Hawkins, 1993). Some of the most concerning classes of internal parasites include Cooperia, Haemonchus, and Ostertagia. Commonly used anthelmintics come in the form of pour-ons, oral drenches, and subcutaneous injections. A majority of these drugs are designed to be administered in a single dose and provide defense against stomach worms for approximately 14 to 42 days, but the typical grazing season lasts for approximately 120 days. For grazing cattle to have season-long protection from parasites, they may require a second dose of anthelmintic treatment, which would require cattle to be gathered and processed through a chute in the middle of the grazing season. LongRange (Merial, Duluth, GA) is the first single-dose extended release anthelmintic that provides approximately 100 to 150 days of protection. This is accomplished by combining two forms of the active ingredient: one that is released into the blood immediately after injection and a second that consists of a slow-release polymer that releases the active ingredient gradually throughout the grazing period. The objective of this study was to measure body weight productivity, fecal egg counts, and fly repellent capabilities of LongRange when administered once subcutaneously at 1.0 mg/kg body weight as a long-acting solution compared with a commercially available injectable (Dectomax; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) and saline in stocker cattle.

Investigation of gastrointestinal parasites of herbivores at Dhaka National Zoological Garden of Bangladesh

A total of 52 fecal samples were collected from 21 herbivores at Dhaka zoo during January to May, 2012 to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of herbivores. Overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 76.9%, of which 61.5% were positive for helminths and 55.8% were positive for protozoa. The identified parasites were Balantidium coli (55.8%), Paramphistomum sp. (36.5%), Fasciola sp. (19.2%), stomach worm (3.9%), Ascaris sp. (1.9%) and Strongyloides sp. (1.9%). Overall prevalence of mixed infection was 42.3%. Mixed infection was observed in the animals such as Butani cattle (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Giraffe (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Spotted deer (Balantidium coli, Paramphistomum sp. and Fasciola sp.), Sambar deer (Balantidium coli and Fasciola sp.), Horse (Balantidium coli and Ascaris sp.), Greater kudu (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Nil gai (Balantidium coli and stomach worm), Black wilde beast (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Impala (Balantidium coli and Strongyloides sp.), Hippopotamus (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Zebra (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Wilde beast (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.; Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp. and Fasciola sp.), One Horned Rhinoceros (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Common Eland (Balantidium coli and Paramphistomum sp.), Oryx (Balantidium coli and stomach worm). Diameter of ova or cyst was also measured. Egg per gram/ Cyst per gram of feces (EPG/ CPG) were ranged from 300-1200. Gastrointestinal parasites are highly prevalent in herbivores of Dhaka zoo. Strategic control measure is necessary to protect the endangered species from parasitic infestation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21245 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 79-85, June 2014

Study of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Deer at Char Kukri Mukri in Bhola District

To study the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of deer, 127 fecal samples were collected from Char Kukri Mukri upazilla of Bhola district of Bangladesh during the period from January to May, 2013. Eighty eight samples were found to be infected with gastrointestinal parasites and overall prevalence rate was 69.29%. Fasciola sp. (8.66%), Paramphistomum sp. (20.47%), stomach worm (18.11%), hook worm (20.47%), Strongyloides sp. (1.57%), Oesophagostomum sp. (1.57%), Eimeria sp. (6.30%) and Balantidium coli (1.57%) were found. The overall prevalence of nematode, trematode, protozoan and mixed infection were 29.13%, 25.19%, 5.51% and 9.45% respectively. Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in summer and winter were 70.59% and 66.67% respectively. The range of EPG/CPG/OPG varied from 100 to 300 among the parasites and highest count was found in Paramphistomum sp. (300), hook worm (300) and stomach worm (300). This study provided a first overview on parasites in deer in the vicinity of villages, but to evaluate parasite transmission dynamics much more studies were required on livestock and on wild herbivores.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20460 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 27-33

Shedding of zoonotic pathogens and analysis of stomach contents in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) from Switzerland between 2007 and 2012.

208 healthy great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) shot during 5 consecutive hunting seasons from 2007/2008 until 2011/2012 were tested for Newcastle disease virus (APMV-1), avian influenza virus (AIV), Chlamydiae, and Salmonella spp. In addition, stomach contents were gross macroscopically examined. None of the birds was positive for APMV1, AIV or Chlamydiae. Twice Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium and once a rough mutant of Salmonella Typhimurium were found. Stomach worms were found in 199 cormorants and 12 identifiable fish species in 45 stomaches.

Coprological study of gastrointestinal parasites of captive animals at Rangpur Recreational Garden and Zoo in Bangladesh

A survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in different groups of mammals housed at Rangpur Recreational Garden and Zoo in Bangladesh. A total of 45 fecal samples of different animals (11 carnivores, 26 herbivores and 8 primates) were examined from April to September 2011 for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 60% (27/45) of which 35.6% (16/45) were helminth infections and 24% (11/45) were protozoic infections. The identified parasites included protozoa (Balantidium coli and Coccidia sp.), nematodes (Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati, Strongyloides sp., Dictyocaulus sp., Trichuris sp. and stomach worm), cestodes (Spirometra sp. and Moniezia benedeni) and trematodes (Fasciola sp.). At least one parasite was identified in the fecal samples of all animals except of the samples from bear, python, water buck and olive baboon. Mixed infections were observed in Rhesus monkey (Trichuris sp. and Balantidium coli), in deer (Strongyloides sp. and Coccidia sp.) and in lion (Toxascaris leonina and Spirometra sp.). Helminth infections were more common than protozoic infections in carnivores and herbivores, whereas in primates, protozoic infections were more common than helminth infections. The high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites found in zoo animals in this study emphasizes the importance of controlling these parasitic infections in order to safeguard the health of housed wild animals and of the humans working with these animals.

Increase in parasite burden and associated pathology in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in West Greenland

Knowledge about parasitism in harbour porpoises and their health status around Greenland is scarce. This study provides knowledge about the poorly studied cetacean in its rapidly changing environment. Parasites and pathological findings in 20 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) hunted in waters around West Greenland are presented. Carcasses were dissected, and parasitological, histological and bacteriological investigations were carried out. Protozoa (Sarcocystis sp.), Nematoda (Halocercus invaginatus, Stenurus minor, Anisakis simplex sensu lato (s.l.), Crassicauda sp.), Trematoda (Campula oblonga) and Cestoda (Phyllobothrium delphini, Monorygma grimaldii) were found. Parasitic infection of the peribullar cavity and lung with pseudaliid nematodes was found in most animals. Sixty per cent of the porpoises were infected with stomach worms, and trematodes were present in liver and pancreas of 90 and 30 % of the porpoises, respectively. Crassicauda sp. was isolated from perimuscular fascia in 45 % of the animals. This is the first record of tetraphyllidean merocercoids in harbour porpoises. M. grimaldii and P. delphini were found in blubber layer of 15 % and abdominal cavity of 50 % of the porpoises. Bronchopneumonia, gastritis, cholangitis, pancreatitis and panniculitis were almost exclusively associated with parasitic infection and usually mild. Compared with a previous study of Greenlandic porpoises from 1995, a significant increase in severity of parasitic infections and the emergence of new parasite species were observed, most likely associated with changes in diet, influenced by increasing sea temperatures and receding ice cover.

Behavioural changes in the flour beetleTribolium confusuminfected with the spirurid nematodeProtospirura muricola

We examined changes to the behaviour of flour beetles, Tribolium confusum, infected with the rodent stomach worm, the spirurid Protospirura muricola, in the context of the 'Behavioural Manipulation Hypothesis'. Trobolium confusum infected with the third-stage infective larvae of P. muricola showed consistently altered patterns of behaviour. Relative to uninfected beetles, over a measured time period, beetles infected with P. muricola were likely to move over a shorter distance, when moving their speed of movement was slower, they were more likely to stay in the illuminated area of their environment, more likely to emerge from darkened areas into the illuminated areas, and their longevity was significantly shortened. The changes in behaviour, as reflected in effects on speed of movement, were only evident among beetles that actually harboured infective cysts and not among those carrying younger infections when the larvae within their haemocoels would have been at an earlier stage of development and not yet capable of infecting the definitive murine hosts. We discuss whether these changes would have made the beetles more susceptible to predation by rodents, and specifically by the omnivorous eastern spiny mouse, Acomys dimidiatus, the natural definitive host of this parasite in Egypt, from where the P. muricola isolate originated, and whether they support the Behavioural Manipulation Hypothesis or reflect parasite-induced pathology.

Differences in Microthrix Form Between Stomach and Spiral Intestine Stages of the Cestode,Trilocularia: Interspecific Variation or Development?

Tetraphyllidean cestodes of the genus Trilocularia have been reported from Squalus acanthias throughout this shark's global distribution, occupying both the stomach and spiral intestine. This study investigated whether variation seen in microthrix form among specimens within this host species is indicative of interspecific variation or is attributable to developmental transformation of a single cestode species. Sequence data for the 2 nuclear genes 28S rDNA (D1-D3) and ITS1, and the mitochondrial gene 16S rDNA, were generated for 22 specimens of Trilocularia; 3 from the stomach and 19 from the spiral intestine, including individuals exhibiting each of the 3 spinithrix forms found. Sequence data for 22 specimens were identical for the 2 nuclear genes. Some variation was seen in the mitochondrial gene but maximum likelihood analysis revealed no pattern with either site or microthrix type, suggesting microthrix variation may be developmental. To explore the developmental hypothesis further, a total of 118 juvenile worms from the stomach and 124 from the spiral intestine were collected from S. acanthias off the coast of Rhode Island and examined with either scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or light microscopy. SEM revealed differences in microthrix form between worms from the 2 sites. Of the stomach and spiral intestine worms examined, respectively, 98% versus 30% were scolopate, 2% versus 47% were aristate gladiate, and 0% versus 15% were lingulate in microthrix form. In addition, 3 of the 77 specimens from the spiral intestine examined with SEM exhibited mixtures of spinitriches. ANOVAs showed significant differences in the morphometrics of stomach worms, when compared to spiral intestine worms, as well as significat differences in the scolex width:below scolex width ratio of worms with scolopate spinitriches when compared to those with aristate gladiate or lingulate spinitriches. In combination, these data suggest that microthrix form may change over the course of development, indicating that caution should be exercised when interpreting microthrix patterns in the context of species designations.

A xenodiagnostic method using Musca domestica for the diagnosis of gastric habronemosis and examining the anthelmintic efficacy of moxidectin

Equine habronematidosis has a global distribution and is caused by three spirurid species, Habronema muscae, Habronema microstoma and Draschia megastoma. A case of cutaneous habronematidosis in a stallion in a stable in Dubai, UAE gave occasion to investigate the parasite situation on the farm.Patent H. muscae infections were diagnosed in 18 out of 49 horses in a stable in Dubai, UAE with a xenodiagnostic test using houseflies as indicator host. All horses in the stable were treated with a single dose of moxidectin administered orally as 2% gel in a dosage of 0.4mg/kg body weight and the efficacy of this targeted treatment was studied. Habronema infection was terminated in all horses. A fly survey conducted at the farm prior and after treatment revealed two muscid species: Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans. Only M. domestica caught at the farm showed a natural infection with Habronema larvae prior and shortly after anthelmintic treatment. Later, examination of flies caught at the farm in monthly intervals up to the end of observation (8 months after treatment) gave negative results. The absence of infection in the intermediate host was an indication of the eradication of stomach worms. The described xenodiagnostic test is a useful tool to diagnose H. muscae infections and can be used to evaluate the efficacy of nematocides in equines.

Efficacy of Ivermectin Versus Dual Infections ofHaemonchus contortusandHeligmosomoides polygyrusin the Mouse

This report describes a novel assay for the detection of gastrointestinal anthelmintics using mice infected with Haemonchus contortus and adapted to the 1 animal/test group protocol. Mice infected with both H. contortus and Heligmosomoides polygyrus were fed ivermectin-medicated diets for 6 days. A dietary level of 0.09375 ppm was 98.1% effective against the 0- to 6-day-old abomasal stomach worm of sheep, whereas a level of 0.75 ppm reduced the 3- to 9-day-old H. polygyrus worm burden by 94.0%. H. contortus was approximately 8-fold more sensitive to ivermectin than was H. polygyrus in this model. The sensitivity of this assay rivals that of the gerbil-Trichostrongylus colubriformis model while utilizing a more economical host.

Introduction of Lihua Xiao, Recipient of the Henry Baldwin Ward Medal for 2012

ing) in a humble home in a small, ancient town near the city of Yueyang, China. He was raised with a brother and 2 sisters by parents working in a local factory. During the Cultural Revolution, the entire family suffered as his father endured persistent persecution resulting from accusations of his being a bourgeois rightist. In 1976, when the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution finally ended, Lihua was 14. The education system that had been severely impacted or brought to a virtual halt for 10 yr became revitalized, providing a small gap in time for Lihua to focus on his schooling. He excelled as a student and was able to rise above fierce competition to receive the coveted approval to enter college in the second group of students to do so after the Cultural Revolution. In 1982, at Hunan Agricultural University, he received his degree in veterinary medicine. Lihua had developed an interest in parasitic diseases of livestock and was accepted into a graduate program at the Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin to study gastric nematodiasis of cattle under the direction of Professor Zhou. It was there he met his wife-to-be, Chungfu Yang, also a student of Professor Zhou. In 1985, he received his M.S. degree and became a faculty member in the veterinary school. However, Lihua wanted to further his education, but an opportunity did not exist in China at the time. Lihua was familiar with the publications of Harold Gibbs at the University of Maine. Their interests were similar. So, he wrote to Dr. Gibbs, sending an abstract from his Master's Thesis and a request to study under Gibbs' mentorship. In 1987, he was offered a graduate assistantship, enabling him to come to the United States and begin studies on the pathophysiological effects of Ostertagia, the brown stomach worm, in cattle, which led to his Ph.D. in 1990. Lihua spent the following 2 and a half years as a postdoctoral fellow at Ohio State University with Rupert Herd, where he continued studies on GI nematodes. He also initiated surveys on Cryptosporidium and Giardia in farm animals, 2 parasites that would later become major subjects of interest for him. In 1993, an opportunity arose for him to work in the Division of Parasitic Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control in Chamblee, Georgia. In the laboratory of Altaf Lal, Lihua led studies on the surface proteins, cytoadherence, and antigenicity of

Effects of gastrointestinal parasites on parasite burden, rectal temperature, and antibody titer responses to vaccination and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus challenge1

Thirty-three colostrum-deprived Holstein bull calves (initial BW of 131 ± 4 kg) were used to determine the effect of timing of anthelmintic administration relative to vaccination on antibody titer response to vaccine component antigens. When calves were at least 3 mo of age, they were sorted randomly into individual pens and assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups, treatments consisted of 1) dewormed 2 wk before vaccination (DPV), 2) dewormed at the time of vaccination (DV), or 3) control, vaccinated but not dewormed (CONT). All calves were inoculated with infective larvae of brown stomach worms (Ostertagia ostertagi) and intestinal worms (Cooperia spp.) on d 1, 7, 10, 14, and 18 for a total dose of 235,710 infective larvae per calf. Calves (DPV and DV) were dewormed on d 21 or 35 with a 10% fenbendazole suspension at 5 mg/kg of BW. On d 35, all calves were vaccinated with a modified-live virus respiratory vaccine containing IBRV (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus), BVDV-1 (bovine viral diarrhea virus genotype 1), BVDV-2 (BVDV genotype 2), PI-3 (parainfluenza-3), and BRSV (bovine respiratory syncytial virus). During the 103-d experiment, weekly fecal egg counts, blood, and rectal temperatures were collected and health status was recorded daily. Blood samples were obtained weekly to determine serum neutralizing (SN) antibody titers to IBRV, BVDV-1, BVDV-2, and PI-3 and cytokine levels for IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), and IFN-γ (interferon-gamma). There was a tendency (P < 0.09) for CONT calves to have greater IL-4 concentrations. By design, control calves had greater (P < 0.01) fecal egg counts during the experiment. All calves developed antibody titers to IBRV, BVDV-1, BVDV-2, and PI-3 by d 15 postvaccination. On d 88, all calves were challenged with IBRV and blood samples were obtained on d 88, 89, 90, 93, 95, 98, 99, and 103. All calves had increased rectal temperatures during the final 7 d of the IBRV challenge. However, the CONT group had greater (P < 0.01) rectal temperatures on each sampling day except d 90 compared with the DPV and DV treatments. Therefore, deworming before or at vaccination reduced parasite burden and decreased rectal temperature increase after an IBRV challenge. Deworming strategy had no effect on antibody response to vaccination or IBRV challenge.

Genetic variation of Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae) in sheep and goats from Malaysia and Yemen

The large stomach worm, Haemonchus contortus, commonly known as “the barber's pole worm”, is a blood-sucking nematode found in the abomasa of sheep and goats. This work is the first documentation on the ND4 sequences of H. contortus from sheep and goats in Malaysia and Yemen and the results provide a preliminary insight on the genetic differences of H. contortus found in the two countries. In general, this study showed a high degree of diversity and low population structure of this species within the same country in comparison with higher genetic structuring at a wider geographical scale. The results also showed that the majority of genetic variance was within H. contortus populations. The Malaysian sheep and goat populations investigated appeared to share the same isolate of H. contortus while different isolates may be found in Yemen which must be taken into account in the design of an effective control strategy. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) confirmed that all samples investigated in this study belonged to H. contortus. However presence of other Haemonchus species parasitizing these two hosts can only be confirmed by further detailed studies.

Macrocyclic Lactones for Parasite Control in Equids

Macrocyclic lactones (MLs) revolutionized parasite control in horses and other animals. They are unique in that they are effective against arthropods and nematodes. The first of the widely used avermectins was ivermectin. In 1983, it was marketed for use in horses as an injectable formulation but was withdrawn in 1984 after about a year and half on the market because of adverse problems. It was replaced by a paste formulation and an oral/stomach tube liquid formulation. Ivermectin is highly active on bots, ascarids, large and small strongyles, pinworms, strongyloides, stomach worms, and some other internal parasite species. Another ML, moxidectin, became available in 1997 as a gel formulation for oral administration. The parasiticidal activity of this compound is similar to ivermectin except efficacy is less on the common bot (Gastrophilus intestinalis) but high on encysted small strongyles. Recently however lower than initial activity on ascarids and small strongyles has been found for both ivermectin and moxidectin.

Phenotypic differences of Haemonchus contortus from sheep and goats in the States of Perak and Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

AbstractThe large stomach worm, Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic nematode parasite of sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus). It sucks blood and causes acute disease, anaemia and severe economic losses due to morbidity and mortality. This paper compares characteristics of surface cuticular ridges (synlophe) and morphometrics of total body length, cervical papillae, spicules, barbs, gubernaculum and vulvar flap morphology of H. contortus recovered in the two hosts from the States of Perak and Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The morphological variation in H. contortus samples recovered from the two hosts in Kelantan was found to be higher than from Perak. A discriminant function, based on three measurements of the spicule, confirmed the identity of male worms in the two hosts as belonging to the same species H. contortus.