scholarly journals ​Faecal Consistency: A Measure of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Goats

Author(s):  
Dinesh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Kumaresan Gururaj ◽  
Gopal Dass ◽  
Nitika Sharma ◽  
Anil Kumar Mishra ◽  
...  

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in goats is a serious and widely distributed problem. Diarrhoea, moderate or severe, though a result of various factors involving feed, fodder, seasons and state of gut physiology of digestion, is a common symptom in goats infested with GI parasites, the nematodes and coccidia. Intensity of diarrhoea corresponds to quantum and type of parasitism. Methods: In the present study, 1451 faecal samples collected from goats of different ages ( less than 3 M, greater than 3-6 M, greater than 6-12 M and greater than 12 M) were categorized as normal, lumpy and diarrheic based on their consistency and were processed for parasitic infections. The GI parasitic load was quantified by faecal eggs/oocysts counting (FEC and FOC) per gram of faeces through the modified Mac-master technique. Identification of parasites was based on the morphology of third-stage larvae procured by coproculture of randomly selected positive samples. FEC/FOC data (strongyle and coccidian), being skewed and uneven, were log-transformed to normalize. The transformed data [loge (100+n)] was analyzed statistically and results were interpreted. Result: Means of FEC and FOC in three type of faecal samples viz. normal, lumpy and diarrheic, were significantly different. Similarly, the effect of age on FEC and FOC was significant. The interaction between animals age × faecal sample type was significant in coccidian and non-significant in strongyle infection. The results were discussed to support the hypothesis that faecal consistency was a measure of coccidian and strongyle worm load in goats and can be a basis of targeted selective treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 20124-20127
Author(s):  
Maneesh Sharma ◽  
B.L. Jangir ◽  
D. Lather ◽  
G.A. Chandratre ◽  
V. Nehra ◽  
...  

The present study was conducted on 20 dead carcasses of Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus brought to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar for post mortem examination. Thorough necropsy examinations were conducted and the representative samples for parasitic examination were collected. Most of the carcasses showed varying degrees of traumatic injuries (9), external wounds and haemorrhages (5) along with putrefactive changes (6). Intestinal contents and faecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of any parasite by sedimentation and flotation techniques. Out of 20 faecal samples, overall incidence of parasitic gastrointestinal tract infection was 40% (8/20). Out of 20, eight cases revealed presence of coccidian oocysts, however, among the eight cases, one case also revealed mixed infection of Moneizia andStrongylespp.,andanother case with Strongyle and Trichuris spp. Gross pathology of the intestines revealed varying degrees of vascular changes like petechial haemorrhages and the presence of catarrhal exudate. Histopathological examination revealed mild to moderate congestion, fused villi, desquamated mucosal epithelium in focal areas, and infiltration of mononuclear cells mainly lymphocytes. The different developmental stages of coccidian spp.were also observed in the intestinal mucosa. In conclusion, the preliminary study reported the parasitic load and pathological changes in the intestinal tract which further indicated the parasitism of these wild animals which is of immense significance from the epidemiological point of view.


2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 1681-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. ARNOLD ◽  
R. J. GOSLING ◽  
F. MARTELLI ◽  
D. MUELLER-DOBLIES ◽  
R. H. DAVIES

SUMMARYThere has been a rapid rise in the prevalence of cases of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium (mST) in both humans and farm animals, and it has been found in pigs, cattle and poultry. It is therefore vital to have a good understanding of how to efficiently detect infected farms. The objective of this project was to determine sample type sensitivity in the detection of Salmonella to detect infected groups of animals on both pig (breeder, grower and finisher sites) and cattle (beef and dairy) farms, using data collected from a study investigating farms that were positive for mST, and to explore any variation between different age groups and management practices. A Bayesian approach in the absence of a gold standard was adopted to analyse the individual and pooled faecal sample data collected from each epidemiological group on each of the farms. The sensitivity of pooled sampling depended on the prevalence of infection in the group being sampled, with a higher prevalence leading to higher sensitivity. Pooled sampling was found to be more efficient at detecting positive groups of animals than individual sampling, with the probability of a random sample from a group of animals with 5% prevalence testing positive being equal to 15·5% for immature pigs (3·6% for an individual faecal sample, taking into account the sensitivity and infection prevalence), 7·1% for adult pigs (1·2% for individual sampling), 30% for outdoor cattle (2% for individual sampling) and 34% for indoor cattle (1% for individual sampling). The mean prevalence of each epidemiological group was higher in outdoor farms than indoor for both pigs and cattle (mean within-farm prevalence of 29·4% and 38·7% for outdoor pigs and cattle, respectively, compared to 19·8% and 22·1% for indoor pigs and cattle)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora L. Ursache ◽  
Adriana Györke ◽  
Viorica Mircean ◽  
Mirabela Oana Dumitrache ◽  
Andrei Răzvan Codea ◽  
...  

Abstract Gastrointestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic character represent a problem for the public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with digestive symptoms. Faecal samples collected from 137 cats were analysed by the flotation method using sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was 56.6%. GI parasites were significantly (p=0.005) more common in cats with digestive symptoms (69.8%) than in clinically healthy ones (23.0%). Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified GI parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (3.7%), Taenia spp. (2.2), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts (0.7%). T. cati (53.3%, p<0.0001) and Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p<0.001) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in cats with digestive symptoms. Lack of deworming in the last three months (OR: 15.9), outdoor access (OR: 13.8), the presence of digestive symptoms (OR: 5.4), and young age (OR: 4.2) were identified as risk factors for T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of the age, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. DRIMTZIA ◽  
E. PAPADOPOULOS

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites cause major production losses to small ruminants. The most common way to diagnose or monitor the worm burdens in sheep and goats remains the quantitative parasitological examinations, i.e. the faecal egg counts. However, the reliability of the results of such methods depends greatly on the conditions and duration of the storage of the faecal samples prior to examination. The aim of this research was to evaluate the reduction rate and the maximum storage period, without significant losses, of nematode egg counts and third-stage larvae development from sheep and goat faeces preserved at 4οC. Towards this end, a pooled faecal sample was formed by collecting faeces from naturally infected sheep and goats (separately). Faecal egg counts and coprocultures were performed on fresh faeces and on preserved ones every week and up to 119 days post sampling. It was concluded that the preservation at 4oC, i.e. into a refrigerator, of fresh faeces from sheep and goats for parasitological examinations poses danger of misdiagnosis, if not performed in a period not exceeding 3 weeks of time. The rate of reduction of the faecal nematode egg counts starts to be significant lower than the ones performed with fresh samples, for both sheep and goats, after the third week of storage. The percentage of the gastrointestinal nematode larvae developing to the infective third–stage alters significantly for the Haemonchus genus, soon after the first week of storage (p<0.05).


2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.M. Ruano ◽  
A. Cortinhas ◽  
N. Carolino ◽  
J. Gomes ◽  
M. Costa ◽  
...  

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Arias ◽  
C. F. Cazapal-Monteiro ◽  
J. Suárez ◽  
S. Miguélez ◽  
I. Francisco ◽  
...  

Helminth zoonoses are parasitic infections shared by humans and animals, being the soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) mainly caused by roundworms (ascarids) and hookworms. This study was aimed to assess the individual and/or mixed production of two helminth-antagonistic fungi, one ovicide (Mucor circinelloides) and other predator (Duddingtonia flagrans). Fungi were grown both in Petri plates and in a submerged culture (composed by water, NaCl, Na2HPO4· 12 H2O, and wheat (Triticum aestivum)). A Fasciola hepatica recombinant protein (FhrAPS) was incorporated to the cultures to improve fungal production. All the cultured plates showed fungal growth, without difference in the development of the fungi when grown alone or mixed. High counts ofMucorspores were produced in liquid media cultures, and no significant differences were achieved regarding single or mixed cultures, or the incorporation of the FhrAPS. A significantly higher production ofDuddingtoniaspores after the incorporation of the FhrAPS was observed. When analyzing the parasiticide efficacy of the fungal mixture, viability ofT. caniseggs reduced to 51%, and the numbers of third stage cyathostomin larvae reduced to 4%. It is concluded, the capability of a fungal mixture containing an ovicide (Mucor) and a predator species (Duddingtonia) for growing together in a submerged medium containing the FhrAPS offers a very interesting tool for preventing STHs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.M.C. Acevedo-Ramírez ◽  
H. Quiroz-Romero ◽  
I. Cruz-Mendoza ◽  
R. Ulloa-Arvizu ◽  
F. Ibarra-Velarde

AbstractThe aims of this study were to determine the frequency of egg shedding (percentage of egg-positive faecal samples) and faecal egg counts (FEC) over 13 months in two different breeds of ewes, both pregnant and non-pregnant, in a mountainous region of central Mexico. Additionally, the effect of ivermectin and albendazole treatments on FEC reduction was recorded. The study also aimed to relate temperature and rainfall to FEC. The gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) third-stage larvae genera recovered from both faeces and grassland pastures in a temperate region were also assessed. Faecal samples were collected from ewes at monthly intervals for 13 months to investigate the FEC population of GIN larvae, their concentration and genera in grass samples collected from grazed and rested pastures. Egg-shedding frequency ranged from 0 to 92% and FEC from 0 to 12,000 eggs per g faeces (epg), with counts in Suffolk higher than in Dorset ewes. The identified genera were Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Nematodirus and Strongyloides. Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus were the most common genera. The number of L3 was higher in grazing lands than in those at rest. The highest FEC were recorded in the dry season due to peripartum, but the highest L3 counts were recorded in the rainy season. The coexistence of species of different geographical distributions at this site may be because there is a confluence of Nearctic and Neotropical geographic regions; thus, despite the temperate climate, tropical species can be found. Additionally, this study suggests that increasing temperatures could favour the presence of different tropical GIN species together with typical temperate-zone GIN species.


Author(s):  
Aliyu Mahmuda ◽  
Aliyu Mustapha Abba ◽  
Aniefuna Ivy Sochima ◽  
Kamal Muhammad Moriki

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the dry season (January-May, 2018) prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in special breeds of ruminants in Sokoto Metropolis. A total of 100, 85 and 75 faecal samples were collected from Sudanese breed of Sheep, WAD/Sahel Goats and Friesian Cattle respectively. Faecal samples were examined using standard parasitological techniques (Simple flotation and Centrifugal sedimentation). For the Sheep, a total of 51 samples were positive for presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Male animals have higher prevalence (52.9%) than their female (47.1%) counterparts. The major parasites observed were Eimeria and Strongyles with prevalence of (64.71%), while the least observed parasites were mixed infections (35.29%). From the total of 85 goat faecal samples examined, an overall prevalence of 54.7% was observed. The prevalence rates for Strongyle, Eimeria and mixed infections were 57.5%, 34.0% and 8.5% respectively. The prevalence was more in males than in the females. Strongyleeggs were more, compared to other helminthes eggs. For the Friesian Cattle, sixty (60) samples out of 75 samples analyzed were positive for either Strongyleeggs or Eimeria (oocyst) infection or both (mixed) constituting about 80% prevalence. Forty-two (70%) samples were positive for Strongyle eggs, 14 (23.3%) for Eimeria oocyst and 4 (6.7%) for mixed infection of both. From the overall prevalence, female had a high prevalence of 34(56.7%) than male cattle 26(43.3%). Based on the results of the present findings, it was concluded that gastrointestinal parasitic infections also occur during the dry season in Sokoto which may be as a result of carry-over of infection during the succeeding rainy season.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 60-68
Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan

Trace elements play an important role to boost the immunity and fight against parasitic infections. Concentration of trace elements like Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) were determined in soil, forages and sera of sheep. An associative analysis was also made between the burden of Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and concentrations of trace elements of sheep sera. For this, 384 faecal and blood samples of sheep, an appropriate number of forages and soil samples were collected. The faecal samples were subjected to determine the species and burden of GI parasites. The sera, plant and soil samples were subjected to pre-treatment (digestion) required for the determination of trace elements. The overall prevalence of GI parasites was 32.81% and the most prevalent species were Haemonchus (H.) contortus followed in order by Eimeria spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichostrongylus spp. and Fasciola spp. Variables like age, sex, breed and tehsils of Silakot district showed an insignificant association with GI parasitic burden. Trace elements concentration of forages showed a significant (P < 0.05) variation while trace elements concentration of soil showed an insignificant (P > 0.05) variation. In serum, Zn concentration showed significant (P < 0.05) results among all the tehsils of study district. Mean concentrations of Mn and Cu in serum were found inversely proportional to the mean egg count per gram of sheep faeces in tehsil Pasroor of the Sialkot district. Forages containing high concentrations of Mn and Cu can be used effectively against GI parasites. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers


Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar ◽  
Harika Segu ◽  
J. V. Bhaskar ◽  
Rajendra Jakher ◽  
Swati Mohapatra ◽  
...  

AbstractDifficult terrain and inclement weather limit our knowledge of large predators, such as the tiger Panthera tigris, in the Himalayas. A lack of empirical data on large carnivores can lead to mismanagement of protected areas and population declines. We used non-invasive genetic and remote sensing data to inform the management of such high-altitude protected areas. We used the tiger as a focal species to investigate prey preference and habitat suitability in India's Buxa Tiger Reserve, which encompasses several eco-geographical regions in the Himalayan and subtropical zones. During 2010–2013, 909 faecal samples were collected, of which 372 were confirmed, using genetic analysis, to be of tiger origin. Fourteen prey species/groups were identified in 240 tiger faecal samples, largely dominated by goats Capra spp. (26.59%), rhesus macaques Macaca mulatta (22.22%) and cattle Bos spp. (20.63%). Considering only the wild prey species for which survey data are available, however, and frequency of occurrence of prey in faecal samples, hog deer Axis porcinus, sambar deer Rusa unicolor and spotted deer Axis axis were the most preferred prey species. Using faecal sample locations to examine the relationship between tiger presence and environmental features indicated that the niche for tigers is narrower than the available protected area: c. 62% of core protected area is suitable, of which only 17% is highly suitable for tigers. Tigers prefer dense vegetation, open forests, riverine vegetation and areas close to water sources. Faecal sample-based studies have the potential to generate data that can help us understand the ecology of elusive carnivore species inhabiting high-altitude landscapes.


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