scholarly journals Gastrointestinal nematodes and Fasciola hepatica in Norwegian cattle herds: a questionnaire to investigate farmers’ perceptions and control strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonje Opsal ◽  
Ingrid Toftaker ◽  
Ane Nødtvedt ◽  
Lucy Jane Robertson ◽  
Kristoffer Relling Tysnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Cattle Herds ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Pasture management influences the prevalence and impact of the pasture parasites (PP) in cattle herds, which cause production-limiting disease worldwide. Evaluating farmer management strategies is vital when considering sustainable PP control practices. The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to describe the pasture management and control strategies regarding PP in Norwegian beef cattle (BC) and dairy cattle (DC) production systems with a focus on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and Fasciola hepatica. Results A total of 745 responses from BC (return rate 20.5%) and 1347 responses from DC farmers (30.7%) were included. The mean total pasture time for DC was 4.2 months for first-season grazers and 4.3 months for second-season grazers and cows, while the corresponding finding in BC was 5.4 months. Home pasture was used for most of the pasture period, particularly for first-season grazer dairy heifers (81%), which were also commonly grazed on the same pasture every year (79%). For most farmers it was necessary for grazing areas to be used for cattle for more than one season (77% of BC farmers and 89% of DC farmers). However, changing the pasture during the season was common in both DC (67%) and BC (70%) herds. The majority of DC farmers (60%) stated that they did not consider that they had a problem with PP. Of the remaining 40%, few respondents could specify whether their herds had a problem due to infection by GIN (11%) or liver flukes (12%). Treatment for GIN was performed by 52% of DC and 34% of BC farmers. Diagnostic faecal samples were collected upon suspicion of parasitic disease by 5% of DC and 16% of BC farmers. Veterinarians were stated as a central source of information about parasite management and treatment. Conclusions Potential risks for exposure to PP were identified, such as use of the same pasture every year for first-season grazers and frequent use of home pasture. The perception of problems related to PP appeared low. Regular anthelmintic treatment without concurrent use of diagnostic faecal samples seems to be common practice.

scholarly journals Occurrence, Impact on Agriculture, Human Health, and Management Strategies of Zearalenone in Food and Feed: A Review

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Dipendra Kumar Mahato ◽  
Sheetal Devi ◽  
Shikha Pandhi ◽  
Bharti Sharma ◽  
Kamlesh Kumar Maurya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Fungal Metabolites ◽  
Natural Estrogens ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Feed Safety ◽  
And Control ◽  
Different Sources

Mycotoxins represent an assorted range of secondary fungal metabolites that extensively occur in numerous food and feed ingredients at any stage during pre- and post-harvest conditions. Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin categorized as a xenoestrogen poses structural similarity with natural estrogens that enables its binding to the estrogen receptors leading to hormonal misbalance and numerous reproductive diseases. ZEN is mainly found in crops belonging to temperate regions, primarily in maize and other cereal crops that form an important part of various food and feed. Because of the significant adverse effects of ZEN on both human and animal, there is an alarming need for effective detection, mitigation, and management strategies to assure food and feed safety and security. The present review tends to provide an updated overview of the different sources, occurrence and biosynthetic mechanisms of ZEN in various food and feed. It also provides insight to its harmful effects on human health and agriculture along with its effective detection, management, and control strategies.

scholarly journals A Field Study on the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Endoparasites in Beef Suckler Cow Herds in Germany

Agriculture ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Kathia Gillandt ◽  
Jenny Stracke ◽  
Tatiana Hohnholz ◽  
Ralf Waßmuth ◽  
Nicole Kemper
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Eimeria Species ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
The Status ◽  
Detailed Statistical Analysis ◽  
Beef Suckler

Endoparasites are one of the major health issues in beef suckler cows and can cause economic losses. As studies on the parasitological status of beef suckler cow herds are rare, the aim of this study was to evaluate the status quo of the parasite burden in herds at four representative locations in Germany. Additionally, the farmers’ pasture management and deworming strategies were documented. Based on these data, the second aim of the study was to develop recommendations for improved deworming and pasture hygiene management. A total of 708 faecal samples were examined with parasitological routine methods. Results revealed Fasciola hepatica, gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), Eimeria species (spp.), Moniezia spp. and Dictyocaulus viviparus as the most frequent findings. Clinical signs of parasitic diseases were not found during the farm visits. Statistical analyses showed a significant effect of the age status of the animal on the parasitological status in general. Due to the percentage of occurrence, detailed statistical analysis was performed for Eimeria, GIN and Fasciola hepatica, confirming the effect of age status. Assessing the parasitological status of beef suckler cows as routine procedure could help to establish an improved parasite-control management on a farm-individual basis.

Anthelmintic resistance and novel control options in equine gastrointestinal nematodes

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Raza ◽  
Abdul Ghaffar Qamar ◽  
Khizar Hayat ◽  
Shoaib Ashraf ◽  
Andrew R. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Anthelmintic Resistance ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Macrocyclic Lactones ◽  
Fecal Egg Count ◽  
Worm Control ◽  
And Control

AbstractControl of equine nematodes has relied on benzimidazoles (BZs), tetrahydropyrimidines and macrocyclic lactones. The intensive use of anthelmintics has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in equine cyathostomins and Parascaris equorum. Field studies indicate that BZ and pyrantel resistance is widespread in cyathostomins and there are also increasing reports of resistance to macrocyclic lactones in cyathostomins and P. equorum. The unavailability of reliable laboratory-based techniques for detecting resistance further augments the problem of nematode control in horses. The only reliable test used in horses is the fecal egg count reduction test; therefore, more focus should be given to develop and validate improved methodologies for diagnosing AR at an early stage, as well as determining the mechanisms involved in resistance development. Therefore, equine industry and researchers should devise and implement new strategies for equine worm control, such as the use of bioactive pastures or novel feed additives, and control should increasingly incorporate alternative and evidence-based parasite control strategies to limit the development of AR. This review describes the history and prevalence of AR in equine nematodes, along with recent advances in developing resistance diagnostic tests and worm control strategies in horses, as well as giving some perspective on recent research into novel control strategies.

scholarly journals Increasing importance of anthelmintic resistance in European livestock: creation and meta-analysis of an open database

Parasite ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Hannah Rose Vineer ◽  
Eric R. Morgan ◽  
Hubertus Hertzberg ◽  
David J. Bartley ◽  
Antonio Bosco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Anthelmintic Resistance ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
European Continent ◽  
Weighted Estimates

Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminant production systems, and are responsible for significant costs and production losses. Anthelmintic Resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe, although there are still gaps in our knowledge in some regions and countries. AR is a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock production, resulting in reduced productivity, compromised animal health and welfare, and increased greenhouse gas emissions through increased parasitism and farm inputs. A better understanding of the extent of AR in Europe is needed to develop and advocate more sustainable parasite control approaches. A database of European published and unpublished AR research on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) was collated by members of the European COST Action “COMBAR” (Combatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants), and combined with data from a previous systematic review of AR in GIN. A total of 197 publications on AR in GIN were available for analysis, representing 535 studies in 22 countries and spanning the period 1980–2020. Reports of AR were present throughout the European continent and some reports indicated high within-country prevalence. Heuristic sample size-weighted estimates of European AR prevalence over the whole study period, stratified by anthelmintic class, varied between 0 and 48%. Estimated regional (country) prevalence was highly heterogeneous, ranging between 0% and 100% depending on livestock sector and anthelmintic class, and generally increased with increasing research effort in a country. In the few countries with adequate longitudinal data, there was a tendency towards increasing AR over time for all anthelmintic classes in GIN: aggregated results in sheep and goats since 2010 reveal an average prevalence of resistance to benzimidazoles (BZ) of 86%, macrocyclic lactones except moxidectin (ML) 52%, levamisole (LEV) 48%, and moxidectin (MOX) 21%. All major GIN genera survived treatment in various studies. In cattle, prevalence of AR varied between anthelmintic classes from 0–100% (BZ and ML), 0–17% (LEV) and 0–73% (MOX), and both Cooperia and Ostertagia survived treatment. Suspected AR in F. hepatica was reported in 21 studies spanning 6 countries. For GIN and particularly F. hepatica, there was a bias towards preferential sampling of individual farms with suspected AR, and research effort was biased towards Western Europe and particularly the United Kingdom. Ongoing capture of future results in the live database, efforts to avoid bias in farm recruitment, more accurate tests for AR, and stronger appreciation of the importance of AR among the agricultural industry and policy makers, will support more sophisticated analyses of factors contributing to AR and effective strategies to slow its spread.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Major Pasture-Borne Parasitoses (Gastrointestinal Nematodes, Liver Flukes and Lungworms) in German Dairy Cattle Herds, Association with Management Factors and Impact on Production Parameters

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2078
Author(s):  
Andrea Springer ◽  
Daniela Jordan ◽  
Alina Kirse ◽  
Bettina Schneider ◽  
Amely Campe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Management Factors ◽  
Cattle Herds ◽  
Liver Flukes

Pasture-borne parasites adversely affect bovine health and productivity worldwide. In Europe, gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Ostertagia ostertagi, the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and the lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus represent the most important parasites of dairy cattle. The present study assessed exposure towards these parasites among 646 cattle herds in three parts of Germany during 2017–2019 via antibody detection in bulk tank milk (BTM). Overall, O. ostertagi levels indicative of production losses were detected in 41.2% (266/646; 95% confidence interval (CI): 37.4–45.1%) of BTM samples, while F. hepatica seroprevalence amounted to 14.9% (96/646; 95% CI: 12.2–17.9%). Only 2.3% (15/646; 95% CI: 1.4–3.9%) of samples were D. viviparus antibody-positive. Significantly lower O. ostertagi as well as F. hepatica seroprevalence was detected in dual-purpose breeds compared to high-performance breeds from the same region. Management factors related to parasite exposure included access to fresh grass and hay, silage quality and anthelmintic treatment. Furthermore, F. hepatica and O. ostertagi seropositivity was significantly associated with suboptimal herd-level body condition. Interestingly, the relationship between seropositivity and productivity differed between breed types. Negative impacts on milk yield were detected only in high-performance breeds, while O. ostertagi seropositivity was associated with a lower milk fat content in dual-purpose herds.

scholarly journals Occurrence of endoparasites in heifers imported to Poland from the Netherlands (Short Communication)

2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-271
Author(s):  
B. Pilarczyk ◽  
A. Pilarczyk ◽  
W. Kozak ◽  
A. Ramisz
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Very High

Abstract. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was studied in 106 heifers imported to Poland from the Netherlands. Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and Eimeria protozoans was determined from coproscopic examinations using Willis-Schlaf flotation. The species composition of coccidia was determined from morphological characters and the time of oocyst sporulation. Fluke liver eggs were detected by decantation. The study showed the mean prevalence of Eimeria protozoans in the heifers imported from the Netherlands to Poland to be 17.92 %; the mean prevalences of Cryptosporidium sp. (11.32 %), gastrointestinal nematodes (55.66 %) and Fasciola hepatica (32.08 %), respectively. The following 6 coccidia species were isolated from faecal samples: E. bovis, E. aubernensis, E. ellipsoidalis, E. subspherica, E. zürni, and E. brasiliensis. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the cattle imported from the Netherlands to Poland was very high, therefore it is purposeful to mandatorily examine the imported cattle for the presence of those parasites.

scholarly journals Increasing Grazing in Dairy Cow Milk Production Systems in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Hennessy ◽  
Luc Delaby ◽  
Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar ◽  
Laurence Shalloo
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Tools And Techniques

In temperate regions of Europe where grass grows for most of the year, grazed pasture is the lowest cost feed for milk production. Grazed pasture can make a contribution to dairy cow feeding systems in other parts of Europe, but is less important. While there are many challenges to maintaining or increasing the proportion of grazed grass in dairy cow diets, there are also opportunities to increase its contribution. Grass use and quality can be challenging for several reasons, including the cow and sward interaction, and factors influencing dry matter intake. Adapting grazing management strategies can provide opportunities for incorporating grazing and perhaps increase grazing in dairy cow milk production systems. Pasture management tools and techniques offer the opportunity to increase herbage use at grazing. While there are many benefits of grazing including economic, environmental, animal welfare and social, there are also the challenges to maintaining grazed pasture in dairy cow diets. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the challenges and opportunities for grazing in dairy milk production systems.

scholarly journals A description of village chicken production systems and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites: Case studies in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dikeledi P. Malatji ◽  
Anna M. Tsotetsi ◽  
Este Van Marle-Koster ◽  
Farai C. Muchadeyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Village Chicken ◽  
Village Chickens ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Eimeria Spp ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Village

The majority of rural households in developing countries own village chickens that are reared under traditional scavenging systems with few inputs and exposure to various parasitic infestations. Understanding of the village chicken farming system and its influence on helminth infestation is a prerequisite for optimal prevention and control strategies. This study investigated the village chicken production system and associated gastrointestinal parasites in 87 households from Limpopo (n = 39) and KwaZulu-Natal (n = 48) provinces of South Africa. A total of 191 village chicken faecal samples and 145 intestines were collected to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in villages of Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, respectively. The faecal floatation analysis of samples from Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces indicated infestations by Ascaridia galli (18.77%), Heterakis gallinarum (15.56%) and Capillaria spp. (4.00%); tapeworms Choanotaenia infundibulum (2.10%) and Raillietina cesticillus (6.00%) and Eimeria spp. (29.46%). Mixed infestations were observed in five (4.90%) samples from Limpopo province and in only four (4.49%) from KwaZulu-Natal province, of which 1.12% were a mixture of C. infundibulum and Eimeria spp. and 3.37% a combination of H. gallinarum and Eimeria spp. In Limpopo, 2.94% of the chickens were positive for H. gallinarum and Eimeria spp., whilst 0.98% had A. galli and Capillaria spp. infestations. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of gastrointestinal parasites on village chicken health and production and develop appropriate intervention and control strategies feasible for smallholder farmers.Keywords: Helminthes; Village chickens; Smallholder farming systems; Faecal samples 

scholarly journals Composite Fasciola hepatica faecal egg sedimentation test for cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (19) ◽  
pp. 589-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Graham-Brown ◽  
Diana J L Williams ◽  
Philip Skuce ◽  
Ruth N Zadoks ◽  
Stuart Dawes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Composite Sample ◽  
Sedimentation Method ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Sample Testing ◽  
Sample Method ◽  
And Control

Options for diagnosing Fasciola hepatica infection in groups of cattle are limited. Increasing the opportunities for herd-level diagnosis is important for disease monitoring, making informed treatment decisions and for flukicide efficacy testing. The sensitivity of a simple sedimentation method based on composite faecal samples for the detection of fluke eggs in cattle was assessed through a combination of experimental and statistical modelling techniques. Initially, a composite sample method previously developed for sheep was used to investigate the sensitivity of composite sample testing compared with individual counts on the same samples in cattle. Following this, an optimised, validated, qualitative (presence-absence) composite sample field test was developed for cattle. Results showed that fluke egg counts obtained from a composite sample are representative of those expected from individual counts. The optimal sampling strategy was determined to be 10 individual 10 g samples (100 g composite sample) from which a 10 g subsample is taken for sedimentation. This method yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 0.69 (95 per cent CI 0.5 to 0.85). These results demonstrate the validity and usefulness of a composite faecal egg sedimentation method for use in the diagnosis and control of F. hepatica in groups of cattle, with the caveat that a negative test should be followed up with a second test due to limitations relating to test sensitivity.

scholarly journals Presence of endoparasites in the Greek buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from Northern Greece

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. FOUNTA ◽  
E. PAPADOPOULOS ◽  
S. CHLIOUNAKIS ◽  
V. A. BAMPIDIS ◽  
M. PAPAZAHARIADOU
Keyword(s):  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Toxocara Vitulorum ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Eimeria Spp ◽  
Paramphistomum Cervi ◽  
Lake Kerkini

This study was conducted in order to determine the presence of parasitic infections of the Greek buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the Prefecture of Serres, Northern Greece. During the period from February to October 2014, faecal samples from 110 buffaloes of the Greek buffalo breed (Bubalus bubalis), from 9 farms located in proximity to Lake Kerkini, in the Prefecture of Serres, Northern Greece, were examined, in order to find reproductive elements of parasites. Out of 110 faecal samples examined, 102 (92.73%) were found infected with reproductive elements (eggs, larvae, cysts and oocysts) of parasites. Specifically, the parasites found were: Eimeria spp. (40%), Entamoeba bovis (16.36%), Paramphistomum cervi (10%), Fasciola hepatica (16.36%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (28.18%), Moniezia benedeni (27.27%), Toxocara vitulorum (11.82%), Strongylida (gastrointestinal nematodes) (31.82%) and lungworms (28.18%). The present study appears to be the first report of the detection of lungworms in buffaloes, in Greece.

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