Detection of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes infecting dairy heifers in Puerto Rico

The efficacy of the anthelmintic albendazole (ALB), doramectin (DOR) and ivermectin (IVM) were evaluated in Holstein and Holstein crossbreed dairy heifers using the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Dairy heifers (n=420; ~6 months of age; BW = 149 ± 39.6 kg) were evaluated in 21 dairy farms. All heifers were required to be on pasture and not have been exposed to anthelmintic treatment for a minimum of 3 months. At each dairy farm, a priori, groups of at least 18 heifers were randomly divided to be treated with IVM, or DOR, or ALB following manufacturer's instructions. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum 7 days before anthelmintic treatment (d-7), at the time of the treatment (d0), and 14 days after treatment (d14). Only heifers that had an average FEC ³ 100 eggs per gram of feces (average of FEC from day d-7 and d0) were considered in the FECRT. The FECRT was determined by the modified McMaster technique. Of the three-anthelmintic used, ALB (n=142) proved to be the most effective (P < 0.0005) with an efficacy of 67.47% ± 8.43. The efficacy of DOR and IVM did not differ (P = 0.8713). While DOR (n = 130) exhibited a efficacy of 25.50% ± 18.00, IVM (n = 148) exhibited a efficacy of -8.13% ± 19.89 due to an increase in FEC after treatment. Dairy farmers should implement integrated methods of nematode control to preserve the effectiveness of currently available anthelmintics.

Status of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections and Associated Epidemiological Factors in Sheep From Córdoba, Colombia

Gastrointestinal nematodes cause serious economic losses in sheep production systems. To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with these parasites, a study was conducted in 595 sheep in Córdoba, Colombia. Prevalence and parasite burden were determined using the McMaster technique. Larvae were cultured from feces to identify the nematode genera. For the analysis of associated factors and parasite burden, means, medians and confidence intervals were compared. A geo-referenced data analysis was performed and an epidemiological map was constructed. An overall prevalence of 88.2% was found, with the highest prevalence and parasite burden for Strongylida (83.2%) and Strongyloides (41%) nematodes. The mean parasite burden was 1255 eggs per gram. The gastrointestinal nematode genera identified were Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum and Cooperia. In general, a significant association was found between parasite burden and dewormed animals, anthelmintic used, date of last deworming and breeds. The FAMACHA® method and body condition showed a significant association with Strongylida parasite burden. Clusters with higher intensity of gastrointestinal nematode burden and high prevalence were observed in the regions of Bajo Sinú, Sinú Medio and San Jorge.

Prevalence and Therapeutic Efficacy of Anthelmintic against Neoascaris vitulorum in Buffalo Populations from Sylhet District of Bangladesh

Background and Objectives: The epidemiological features of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffaloes are important to know their transmission and risk factors assessment as well treatment regimens. This study was conducted with the objectives of determining the prevalence of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffaloes in Sylhet district of Bangladesh and to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintics against the parasite. Materials and Method: A total of 211 fecal samples were collected from buffaloes and examined for the detection of parasitic eggs during the period from July 2017 to June 2018. For the determination of therapeutic efficacy, animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (T0, Ti, T1, T2, T3, T4) where each group consisting of 3 buffaloes. The group T0 (negative control-non infected) and Ti (positive control-infected) were treated only with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The other four infected groups were treated as T1 with albendazole, T2 with piperazine citrate, T3 with ivermectin and T4 with combination of tetramisole HCL and oxyclosanide. Before trials day 0 and after treatment of 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days fecal samples examined using McMaster technique. Results: The overall prevalence was estimated 17.06% (36/211). The prevalence was higher among buffalo calves of below six months (39.28%) followed by 6 months to 1 year, 1 to 2 years and above 2 years as 25%, 22.5% and 7.20% respectively. The infection rate was high in females (20.0%) than males (13.18%). The parasite was more prevalent in rainy (21.42%) than summer (16.67%) and winter (14.29%) seasons. The EPG results revealed piperazine citrate was the most effective (100%) against Neoascaris vitulorum. The percent efficacies of other anthelmintic used in this study were albendazole, ivermectin and combination of tetramisole HCL and oxyclozanide as 95.49%, 86.20% and 95.58% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffalo at Sylhet district of Bangladesh was relatively high. The results revealed that piperazine citrate, tetramisole HCL and oxyclozanide combination are highly effective for the reduction of egg per gram (EPG) of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffalo. On the other hand ivermectin and albendazole were also around ninety percent effective respectively.

The Use of Molecular Profiling to Track Equine Reinfection Rates of Cyathostomin Species Following Anthelmintic Administration

Cyathostomins are a multispecies parasite ubiquitous in Equids. Cyathostomins have developed resistance to all but one class of anthelmintics, but species-level sensitivity to anthelmintics has not been shown. This study measured reinfection rates of cyathostomin species following the administration of three commercial dewormers. Nine treated horses were compared with 90 untreated controls during June-September 2017–2019. Ivermectin (IVM) (n = 6), Moxidectin (MOX) (n = 8) or Pyrantel (PYR) (n = 8) were orally administered. Fecal samples were collected every 14 d for 98 d. Fecal egg count reductions (FECR) were calculated using a modified McMaster technique. Nineteen cyathostomin species were identified by 5.8S-ITS-2 profiling using amplicon sequencing. Data were analyzed in QIIME1 and R statistical software using presence/absence methods. MOX had the lowest numbers of species present over the time course, followed by PYR then IVM (7.14, 10.17, 11.09, respectively); however, FECR was fastest for PYR. The presence of seven species: Coronocyclus labiatus, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum tetracanthum, Cylicocylus elongatus, Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, and Cylicostephanus goldi were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05) points to species-specific differences in dewormer sensitivity and environmental persistence. Identifying resistance patterns at the species level will enable mechanistic understandings of cyathostomin anthelmintic resistance and targeted approaches to control them.

Prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in the vulnerable spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) from the central-western of Morocco

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in wild Testudo graeca tortoises in Morocco. A total of 102 tortoises sampled in two arid areas: Central Jbilets Mountains (CJM) and Sidi Kaouki Forest (SKF) were macroscopically examined and subjected to qualitative (flotation and Baermann techniques) and quantitative (McMaster technique) microscopic examinations. The identified gastrointestinal parasites belong to two nematode families (Pharyngodonidae and Ascarididae) and three protozoa families (Balantidiidae, Eimeriidae and Entamoebidae). 92.1% of tortoises were determined to harbor one or more parasite types. Oxyurid adults were the most frequently encountered with a prevalence of 22.7% and 72.4% in CJM and SKF, respectively. Nematode eggs were found in almost all individuals of both populations studied. The prevalence of protozoa was 9.1% and 3.4% in CJM and SKF, respectively. Oxyurid adults showed the highest intensity in SKF (36.5 ± 30.2) whereas, ascarid adults are absent in CJM. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of infection by ascarids was significantly higher in adults than in juveniles. The intensity of infection by ascarid and oxyurid eggs differed significantly between sexes and localities, respectively. Our results showed a difference of infection between the two localities, which could be in relation with habitat quality. SKF is affected by both agriculture and overgrazing. In addition, the tortoises from this locality are active for a large part of the year, which increases their chance of encountering the parasites.

А Prevalence survey of parasitic helminths of cashmere goats in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia

Infections with gastrointestinal parasites can negatively affect the health and the overall productivity of infected animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infections in cashmere goats in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia. Faeces samples (n = 614) were collected from two sums (Bogd and Bombogor) in Bayankhongor province, Mongolia from July to September 2018 and examined by flotation methods. Positive samples were examined by the modified McMaster technique to determine the parasitic load. The overall prevalence of helminths infections was 44% followed by Strongylids (42.6%), Nematodirus. (36.4%), Moniezia spp. (4.8%), Concurrent infection with two or more species was common, with mixed infection observed in 26% of goats. Баянхонгор аймгийн зарим сумдын ноолуурын үүлдрийн ямааны баасанд гельминтийн өндөг илрүүлсэн дүнгээс Баянхонгор аймгийн Богд, Бөмбөгөр сумдад үржүүлж буй ноолуурын үүлдрийн Залаа жинстийн цагаан,Бөмбөгөрийн Улаан ямаанд түүвэрлэлтийн аргаар сонгон авсан нийт 614 ямааны баасны дээжинд Nematodirus (36.4%), Moneiza (4.8%) ,Strongylus (42.6%) төрлийн гельминтийн өндөг илрэв. Түлхүүр үг: ямааны үүлдэр, strongylus, nematodirus, monieza

PERBANDINGAN PREVALENSI CACING GASTROINTESTINAL PADA SAPI BALI DAN LOKAL DI KABUPATEN BANGGAI

The studies of gastrointestinal worm in cow have not been widely explored in Distric Luwuk Banggai. This study was aimed to Comparison of Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Worms in Bali and Local Cows in Banggai District. The fresh faecal samples were collected from 70 cows and observed by a modified McMaster technique. The faecal of cows were collected in south Luwuk, east Luwuk, North Luwuk, Manucipility Masama, Lamala, and Bualemo. The result of identification on gastrointestinal worm show that there were six genera of helminth i.e Moniezia, Haemonchus, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus, dan Capillaria. The prevalence in female was higher than male. The prevalence in kinds of cow was higher ongole cow than cow Bali.

Evaluation of Anti-Coccidial Activity of Different Extraction Products of Allium sativum (Garlic) in Broilers

The present study was performed with objective to evaluate the anti-coccidial effect of three different forms of Allium sativum (garlic) in broiler birds. A total of 90 broiler chicks (day-old) were divided into nine equal groups. The mixed Eimeria species obtained from gut samples (E. tenella and E. necatrix) collected from different commercial poultry shops in Tolinton Market Lahore, Pakistan. These guts were checked in Parasitology laboratory in Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The positive cases were separated for extraction, sporulation and identification of oocyst(s). The oocysts counts per gram of droppings were determined by McMaster technique on day 0, 3, 7 and 10 of treatment. Each bird was challenged with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria at 17th day of age. Three different forms of Allium sativum (garlic) including aqueous extract, methanol extract and powder form at dose rate 2 and 4 gm/kg body weight were used in challenged birds In all the forms and doses of the Allium sativum the oocyst per gram count was decreased but the best result was obtained with aqueous form at dose rate of 4gm/kg BW from day 7 to 10. The present study concluded that Allium sativum (garlic) can be used as natural anti-coccidial component to ameliorate the side effects and resistance of commercial anticoccidials in practice.

Dynamics of lamb coccidiosis in indoor management systems

Invasions of protozoa belonging to the genus Eimeria are a global problem in sheep farming. The clinical course of eimeriosis occurs almost exclusively in lambs. In adult sheep coccydiosis often has an asymptomatic course which, however, is not without an impact on animal conditions. Large flock density and related contamination of the environment with oocysts is conducive to a high extensiveness of the invasion. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria invasion in lambs kept in confined management systems in order to establish the key periods of the course of invasions and schedules for prevention programs. The parasitological examination was conducted on samples of feces collected directly from the rectum of 96 lambs every 14 days at the following time points: the 28th, 42nd, 56th, 70th and 100th days of life. The assessment involved the invasion extensity established using a flotation method and invasion intensity expressed as the number of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) established by using the McMaster technique. On the basis of morphometric parameters of isolated oocysts, the species of coccidia in the studied animals were determined. During the whole study period, the invasion extensity grew from the minimum of 17.6% (CI ± 95%; 9.6-25.6) on day 28 to the maximum of 95.9% (CI ± 95%; 95.3-100.0) on day 100. The average growth in the invasion extensity in the flock was 19.6% every 14 days. The average invasion intensity in the study period was 3039.2 OPG (min-max 50-58,800; SEM 440.2), with the highest excretion of oocysts observed on day 42 of the lambs’ life. The average OPG value on this day was 6783.8, and dropped at subsequent measurement points. The experiment revealed exclusively multi-species invasions. In total, seven species of coccidia were found in the studied animals within the study period. These were: E. bakuensis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ovinoidalis, E. pallida, E. parva and E. crandallis..