Prevalence of Haemonchus contortus Infections in Sheep and Goats in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

This study investigated the overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep and goats from five purposively selected subdivisions (sectors) of Nyagatare district from January to December 2014, after a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and generalized poor productivity was reported in small ruminants in some districts of Rwanda. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed using the Modified Wisconsin Sugar Floatation method and the Fluorescent-labeled peanut-lectin agglutination test while enumerations, as log (FEC), were done using the modified McMaster method. The overall prevalence of H. contortus infection in sheep and goats was 75.7% (n=949). The overall prevalence of H. contortus infection in sheep (83.4%, n=314) was higher than in goats (71.8%, n=635) (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.40-2.79, and p≤0.001). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in female goats (74.2%) was higher than in male goats (64.3%) (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.09-2.36, and p=0.01). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in goats from Nyagatare was higher than in goats from Matimba (OR 3.25, 95% CI: 1.76-5.99, and p≤0.001) and from Katabagemu (OR 3.67, 95% CI: 2.04-6.59, and p≤0.001). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in goats from Karangazi was higher than in goats from Matimba (OR 4.72, 95% CI: 2.40-9.28, and p≤0.001). The overall mean monthly log (FEC) for H. contortus in sheep and goats were highest in April (18.9±0.2 and 14.05±0.1, respectively) and October (19.25± 0.2 and 13.75±0.1, respectively). Though, overall, sheep in Nyagatare district were at greater risk of H. contortus infection and goats from Nyagatare and Karangazi sectors were paradoxically at greater risk of H. contortus infection. It was also apparent that young female goats were at greater risk of H. contortus infection than young male goats. H. contortus infection is endemic in small ruminants in Nyagatare district and possibly other districts in Rwanda. Targeted selective treatment (TST) using FAMACHA with emphasis on low-lying swampy pastures and appropriate anthelmintic drugs may be the most economically viable solution in the short term. In the long term breeding of H. contortus resistant small ruminants and strategic grazing using the concept of refugia may bring about considerable relief from H. contortus infection in Nyagatare district, in particular, and Rwanda at large.

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Gastrointestinal parasites as a possible threat to an endangered autochthonous Portuguese sheep breed

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x19000968 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

Author(s):

Z.M. Ruano ◽

A. Cortinhas ◽

N. Carolino ◽

J. Gomes ◽

M. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fasciola Hepatica ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Sheep Breed ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Feed Management ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Protozoan Infections ◽

Mcmaster Method

Abstract Helminth and protozoan infections are responsible for important diseases in grazing sheep, which can be especially threatening in an autochthonous breed at risk of extinction like the Churra Galega Mirandesa Portuguese sheep breed. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity, prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in these sheep and to assess the effects of deworming practices, cohabiting animals on the farm and feed management. Coprological qualitative and quantitative analysis (flotation, natural sedimentation and McMaster method) were used to identify and quantify gastrointestinal parasites and a questionnaire was designed and applied. A total of 512 faecal samples were collected from 49 flocks, and 49 replies to the questionnaire were received. Parasites were identified in 100% of the flocks, and in 97% of the samples. The genera or species that have been morphologically identified were: strongyle-type, Nematodirus spp., Skrjabinema spp., Moniezia expansa, Moniezia benedeni, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Eimeria spp., Dicrocoelium spp. and Fasciola hepatica. This is the first report in Portugal of Skrjabinema spp. The burden of parasites’ oocysts and eggs per gram in faecal samples ranged, respectively, from 50 to 17,550 for Eimeria spp., and from 50 to 6250 for strongyle-type eggs. Factors affecting parasitic infections were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression. Grazing time and a lack of anthelmintic treatment were positively associated with Nematodirus spp. infection. This study showed that there is a high prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in the Churra Galega Mirandesa sheep breed.

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Helmintofauna of sheep and goats in Dnipropetrovsk region

Visnyk of Dnipropetrovsk University Biology medicine ◽

10.15421/021516 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 87-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. A. Boyko

Keyword(s):

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Fasciola Hepatica ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Trematode Species ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Biodiversity Indices ◽

Moniezia Expansa

Wormsof classes Nematoda Rudolphi, 1808, Trematoda Rudolphi, 1808 and Cestoda Rudolphi, 1808 were registered in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in Dnipropetrovsk region. Identified nematodes belongto Strongylata Railliet et Henry, 1913, Rhabditata Chitwood, 1933 and Trichurata Skrjabin, 1915. Among the trematodes, representatives of Fasciolata (Skrjabin et Schulz, 1935) were identified. Cestodes were represented by Anoplocephalata (Skrjabin, 1933). Among the specific types of nematodes,representatives of the Strongylata suborder were found: Muellerius sp., Protostrongylus sp., Haemonchus contortus Rundolphi, 1802, Nematodirus sp. Among the helminths Rhabditata we identified Strongyloides papillosus Wedl, 1856, Trichurata –Trichuris sp., Fasciolata –Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 andDicrocelium lanceatum Stiles et Hassall, 1896, Anoplocephalata –Moniezia expansa (Rudolphi, 1810) andM. benedeni (Moniez, 1879). The dominant species among worms in ungulates was defined as nematode H. contortus. The smallest share in the group was taken by trematode species F. hepatica and nematodesTrichuris sp. The highest biodiversity indices are recorded in samples of material selected from ungulates consuming pasture herbage from May to September (ten species of worms belonging to three classes:Muellerius sp., Protostrongylus sp., H. contortus, Nematodirus sp., S. papillosus, Trichuris sp., F. hepatica, D. lanceatum, M. expansa, M. benedeni were registered). In animals not pastured throughout the year three types of worms of the class Nematoda: S. papillosus, H. contortus and Nematodirus sp. were defined.

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Comparative in vitro efficacy of kefir produced from camel, goat, ewe and cow milk on Haemonchus contortus

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x18000378 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 93 (04) ◽

pp. 440-446

Author(s):

D. Alimi ◽

M. Rekik ◽

H. Akkari

Keyword(s):

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Camel Milk ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Egg Hatching

AbstractOne of the great challenges of veterinary parasitology is the search for alternative methods for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. Milk kefir is a traditional source of probiotic, with great therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic effects of kefir on the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus from sheep. The study used camel, goat, ewe and cow milk as a starting material, to produce camel, goat, cow and ewe milk kefir. All kefirs showed a significant concentration-dependent effect on H. contortus egg hatching at all tested concentrations. The highest inhibition (100%) of eggs was observed with camel milk kefir at a concentration 0.125 mg/ml. In relation to the effect of kefirs on the survival of adult parasites, all kefirs induced concentration-dependent mortality in adults, with variable results. The complete mortality (100%) of adults of H. contortus occurred at concentrations in the range 0.25–2 mg/ml. The highest inhibition of motility (100%) of worms was observed after 8 h post exposure with camel milk kefir at 0.25 mg/ml. These findings indicate that kefir can be considered a potential tool to control haemonchosis in sheep. Further investigations are needed to assess the active molecules in kefir responsible for its anthelmintic properties and to investigate similar in vivo effects.

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In vitro effects of Coriandrum sativum, Tagetes minuta, Alpinia zerumbet and Lantana camara essential oils on Haemonchus contortus

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612013000400004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 463-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Iara Tersia Freitas Macedo ◽

Lorena Mayana Beserra de Oliveira ◽

Ana Lourdes Fernandes Camurça-Vasconcelos ◽

Wesley Lyeverton Correia Ribeiro ◽

Jessica Maria Leite dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Larval Development ◽

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Anthelmintic Activity ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Coriandrum Sativum ◽

Tagetes Minuta ◽

Alpinia Zerumbet

Phytotherapy can be an alternative for the control of gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants. This study evaluated the efficacy of Alpinia zerumbet, Coriandrum sativum, Tagetes minuta and Lantana camaraessential oils by two in vitro assays on Haemonchus contortus, an egg hatch test (EHT) and larval development test (LDT). No effect was observed for L. camara in the EHT. A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta essential oils exhibited a dose-dependent effect in the EHT, inhibiting 81.2, 99 and 98.1% of H. contortus larvae hatching, respectively, at a concentration of 2.5 mg mL-1. The effective concentration to inhibit 50% (EC50) of egg hatching was 0.94, 0.63 and 0.53 mg mL-1 for A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta essential oils, respectively. In LDT, L. camara, A. zerumbet, C. sativum and T. minuta at concentration of 10 mg mL-1 inhibited 54.9, 94.2, 97.8 and 99.5% of H. contortus larval development, presenting EC50 values of 6.32, 3.88, 2.89 and 1.67 mg mL-1, respectively. Based on the promising results presented in this in vitro model, it may be possible use of these essential oils to control gastrointestinal nematodes. However, their anthelmintic activity should be confirmed in vivo.

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Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite in small ruminants of District Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.248978 ◽

2023 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

Author(s):

Ruhoollah ◽

W. Khan ◽

O. A. Al-Jabr ◽

T. Khan ◽

A. Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Fasciola Hepatica ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province ◽

Fasciola Spp

Abstract The present research was planned to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites in small ruminants of Upper Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. For this purpose, the faecal material was collected randomly with gloved fingers directly from the rectum region of sheep and goats and the faecal materials were then put in hygienic plastic bottles with 10% formalin. The overall 315 (n=184 sheep and n= 131 goats) faecal samples were collected out of 315 samples, 281 were found positive for different parasites. Patterns-wise prevalence of GI parasites of the study area was found. Overall Single parasitism 89.20% (281/315) with 94.0% (173/184) in sheep and 82.43% (108/131) in goats. Double parasitic infection in small ruminant recorded in which Fasciola+ Haemonchus. contortus in sheep were found their prevalence was 25.54% (47/184). While in goats, the double parasitic infection in which Haemonchus contortus+Trichuris spp were found and their prevalence were 23.43% (30/131). The species found in the sample of sheep were includes, i.e., Strongyloides papillosus (41.30%), Heamonchus controtus (21.73%), Trichuris ovis (17.39%), and Fasciola hepatica (13.58%), the corresponding value for goat were Strongyloides spp 33.33% (36/108), Haemonchus spp 28.70%, (27/108), Trichuris spp 25.20% (27/184) and Fasciola spp 10.68% (14/184). The sheep of the study area are more infected as compared to goats. This study suggested that gastrointestinal parasites are major health problems of small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, a comprehensive study on species of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in the area, control options, cost-effective strategies and awareness about gastrointestinal parasites among the farmers in the study area should be instituted.

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Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria: Risk factors and zoonotic implications for human health

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2019.1150-1153 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1150-1153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kingsley Uwakwe Ezema ◽

Samson Anjikwi Malgwi ◽

Mohammed Kyari Zango ◽

Falmata Kyari ◽

Salamatu Mohammed Tukur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Human Health ◽

Canis Familiaris ◽

Young Male ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Coprological Examination ◽

The Difference ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and zoonotic implications of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 rectal fecal samples were collected from dogs in Maiduguri for coprological examination using the saturated sodium chloride floatation technique. Detection of eggs or oocyst was done on the basis of keys of identification of parasites based on the morphology and size of eggs or oocyst. Results: The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs was 31.5% (63/200) in Maiduguri. The prevalence of the infection was higher in young, male dogs kept outdoor in terms of age, sex, and management; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The parasites detected in Maiduguri include Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., Dipylidium spp., Isospora spp., and Taenia spp., with Ancylostoma spp. (16%) having the highest prevalence rate. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasites have high prevalence in Maiduguri and constitute potential risk to human health because all genera of parasites detected in the study area are of public health importance.

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Infection levels of gastrointestinal parasites in sheep and goats in Papua New Guinea

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x12000594 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 409-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. Koinari ◽

S. Karl ◽

U. Ryan ◽

A.J. Lymbery

Keyword(s):

Papua New Guinea ◽

Management Practices ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

New Guinea ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Control Measures ◽

Parasite Control ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Faecal Samples

AbstractGastrointestinal parasites of livestock cause diseases of important socio-economic concern worldwide. The present study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in sheep and goats in lowland and highland regions of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Faecal samples were collected from a total of 165 small ruminants (110 sheep and 55 goats) from February to April 2011. Analysis by a modified McMaster technique revealed that 128 animals (72% of sheep and 89% of goats) were infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal parasites. The gastrointestinal parasites found and their prevalences in sheep (S) and in goats (G) were as follows: strongyle 67.3% (S), 85.5% (G); Eimeria 17.3% (S), 16.4% (G); Strongyloides, 8.2% (S), 23.6% (G); Fasciola, 5.5% (S), 18.2% (G); Trichuris, 1.8% (S), 3.6% (G); and Nematodirus, 1.8% (S), 3.6% (G). Two additional genera were found in goats: Moniezia (9.1%) and Dictocaulus (3.6%). This is the first study to quantitatively examine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats in PNG. The high rates of parasitism observed in the present study are likely to be associated with poor farming management practices, including lack of pasture recovery time, lack of parasite control measures and poor-quality feed.

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Gastrointestinal parasites of sheep and goat in and around Gondar town, Northwest, Ethiopia

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah2003371f ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 371-380

Author(s):

Olifan Fayisa ◽

Ararsa Duguma ◽

Melkamu Temesgen ◽

Fethu Lemma

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Production System ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Gondar Town ◽

Control And Prevention

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with sheep and goat gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in and around Gondar town, Northwest of Ethiopia. A total of 384 sheep and goats fecal samples (313 sheep and 71 goats) were collected and examined using standard parasitological techniques. The present study revealed that an overall prevalence of 56.77% with prevalence rate of 185 (59.11%) and 33(46.48%) in sheep and goats respectively. From the examined samples mixed infection was recorded with about 21.35%. The parasitic species identified were Strongyle spps (22.14%), Trichuris spps (0.52%), Monezia (2.5%), Emeria spps (0.260%). Female animals were found with higher prevalence of helminthes infection rate than male animals with a prevalence of 48.98% and 61.60%, respectively. Higher prevalence was observed in young animals (69.61%) than adult animals (45.32%). Body conditions and production system also showed significance difference (P<0.05) in the occurrence of GI parasites of sheep and goats in the study area. It can be concluded that, in the study area there was high prevalence of GIT parasites in sheep and goats with age, sex, body condition and production system as important risk factors. Therefore, strategic uses of anthelmintics drugs and good management should be given for the control and prevention of GIT parasites as well as further studies to determine burden of the parasites and seasonal variation is \recommended.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERNTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE IN RUMINANTS

ВЕТЕРИНАРСКИ ЖУРНАЛ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРПСКЕ ◽

10.7251/vetjen1902240i ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Tamara Ilić ◽

Zoran KULIŠIĆ ◽

Darko DESPOTOVIĆ ◽

Bojan GAJIĆ ◽

Danica BOGUNOVIĆ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Ruminants ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Rapid Identification ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Short Term ◽

Selective Treatment ◽

Development Of Resistance ◽

Body Condition Scoring ◽

Pasture Contamination ◽

Management Principle

Control of the gastrointestinal parasites in different systems of ruminant breeding is based on vaccination, chemotherapy, improved herd management and use of genetic potentials of host animals. Strategy of the helminths control based on frequent anthelmintics usage is dominant among the world, although it is considered unsustainable due to the appearance of increased number and species of parasites that are resistance to drugs. Development of resistance on all three groups of broad-spectrum antihelmintics (nicotinic anthelmintics, benzimidazoles and macrolides lactones) as well as increased care for consumers heath caused by appearance of used drugs residues in food, additionally complicate overall nematode control. With the aim to decrease appearance of anthelmintics resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants and in order to organize process of sustainable integrated parasite management, principle of targeted selective treatment is globally accepted. Implementing of this strategy has only recently become feasible, with development and practical use of systems that serve for clinical assessment of anemia in small ruminants which suffer from hemonchosis. Besides that, short term changes in body weight and body condition scoring may be indicators of diseases caused by endoparasites, as it can provide rapid identification of animals that will probably have benefits from therapy. Obtained results of quantitative coprological diagnostic tests and results for anemia assessment are criteria that provide differential diagnosis between healthy and resilient animals and easier diseases diagnostic. Since resilient animals play important role in pasture contamination, the significance of their detection is understandable.

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Accurate and interpretable prediction of poor health in small ruminants with accelerometers and machine learning

10.1101/2020.08.03.234203 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Axel X. Montout ◽

Ranjeet S. Bhamber ◽

Debbie S. Lange ◽

Doreen Z. Ndlovu ◽

Eric R. Morgan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Haemonchus Contortus ◽

Anthelmintic Resistance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Economic Outcomes ◽

Poor Health ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sheep And Goats

Accurate assessment of the health status of individual animals is a key step in timely and targeted treatment of infections, which is critical in the fight against anthelmintic and antimicrobial resistance. The FAMACHA scoring system has been used successfully to detect levels of anaemia caused by infection with the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus in small ruminants and is an effective way to identify individuals in need of treatment. However, assessing FAMACHA is labour-intensive and costly as individuals must be manually examined at frequent intervals over the Haemonchus season. Here, we show that accelerometers can measure individual activity in extensively grazing small ruminants subject to natural Haemonchus contortus worm infection in southern Africa over long time-scales, and when combined with machine learning, can predict the smallest pre-clinical increases in FAMACHA score as well as those individuals that respond to treatment, all with high precision (>95%). We demonstrate that these classifiers remain robust over time, and remarkably, generalise without retraining across goats and sheep in different regions and types of farming enterprise. Interpretation of the trained classifiers reveal that as the effect of haemonchosis increases, both sheep and goats exhibit a similar reduction in the fine-grained variation of their activity levels. Our study thus reveals common behavioural patterns across small ruminant species, which low-cost biologgers can exploit to detect subtle changes in animal health and enable timely and targeted intervention. This has real potential to improve economic outcomes and animal welfare as well as limit the use of anthelmintic drugs and hence diminish pressures on anthelmintic resistance under conditions of both commercial and resource-poor communal farming.Significance StatementIncreasing availability make biologgers and machine learning viable solutions to current challenges in global livestock farming. We demonstrate a pipeline that accurately predicts the earliest signs of parasitic disease in small ruminants. With Haemonchus contortus nematode infection in sheep and goats as the exemplar, we illustrate that the predictive model generalises across time and even species without retraining. We show that prediction is driven by a reduction in the variation of activity levels in animals with poor health. Our findings suggest that health of individual livestock can be monitored remotely, reducing labour costs, improving animal welfare, and allowing for targeted selective treatment under contrasting farming conditions. This will decrease animal loss, maximise economic outcomes, and reduce pressures on drug resistance.

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