Study on Diseases Prevalence in the Selected Area's Emphasis on Parasitic Diseases of Pigeon

This experiment was carried out to determine the overall prevalence of pigeon diseases and especially emphasized on prevalence of parasitic diseases in study areas. During this study 45 farms were selected which have >20 pair of pigeon for commercial and >10 pair pigeon for traditional farm in the three study area namely Rajshahi, Natore and Pabna district of Bangladesh. The data were collected from different farm within the study area through a questionnaire and interview schedule with the farm owners. During one year of study period a total Out of 3677 pigeon, positive case in cage of external parasites were 722 and internal parasite positives 114 from 263 fecal sample. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal and external parasites in pigeon at northern Bangladesh is obtained. The infestation of lice Columbaecula columbae and fly Pseudolynchia canariensis were observed 18.08% and 1.55% respectively. The present study found two species of ectoparasites lice and fly. Diversity of ectoparasite in birds infestation may be depend on many factors, which may include home range, behavior, size and roosting habit of the host. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigeon are founded that 43.34% in research area. Specific incidence was 22.81% in Ascariasis, 18.63% in Capilariasis and 1.90% in Raillietina parasite in pigeon. Ascaridia colombae is one of the most common (22.81%) helminth species in pigeons in this study. The effect of breed of pigeon observed in present studies the highest in indigenous (63.47%) and lowest exotic (36%) prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite was observed. The specific percentages of Ascariasis, Capilariasis and Raillatina gastrointestinal parasites of pigeon were found 20% & 31.74%; 14% & 30.15% and 2% & 1.58% in exotic & indigenous breed, respectively. In the present study, there is a relation between the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections with the age of the pigeons which showed that high prevalence in adults (50%) and compare to young (22.22%). but it was statistically significant (P>0.05). In relation with farming system the gastrointestinal parasitic incidence of pigeon was observed in modern and tradition farming system, the highest incidence was 71.16% in traditional & lowest 31.14% in modern farming. When observed specifically in Ascariasis, Capillariasis & Raillietina were 16.39% & 37.41%; 13.11% & 31.25% and 1.63% & 2.5% in modern & traditional, respectively. The effect of regions on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigeon was observed in Pabna (68.32%), Natore (57.84%) and Rajshahi (33.33%). The specific percentages of Ascariasis, Capilariasis and Raillatina gastrointestinal parasites of pigeon were 18.18%, 33.33% & 26.31%; 14.54%, 33.33% & 23.38% and 0.606%, 1.66% & 7.89% in Rajshahi, Pabna and Natore, respectively.

PSX-20 Internal parasite resistance measured on pasture and in confinement of young Kiko bucks

Resistance to internal parasites (IP) is important in the sustainability of a meat goat enterprise. Langston University (LU) and the American Kiko Goat Association conducted a SecondGeneration Buck Performance Test in 2019. The performance test measured fecal egg count (FEC) and packed-cell volume (PCV) in a natural challenge of 6 wk on pasture (PAS) and in an artificial challenge in dry-lot confinement (CON). Seventy-seven Kiko bucks less than 1 yr of age completed both PAS and CON. The PAS was conducted on a 23-ha pasture with native grasses and forbs. Bucks were supplemented at 0.5% BW (25.8±0.18 kg) daily to facilitate visual inspection of animals. CON was conducted at LU’s testing facility. Bucks were sampled every 2 wk in PAS. In CON, bucks were sampled on d 29, 34, and 38 following an artificial challenge with each buck receiving 7,000 L3 Haemonchus contortus larvae. Average FEC and PCV for each buck for PAS and CON were analyzed. The correlation between FEC-PAS and PCV-PAS was -0.283 (P < 0.05), which is almost identical to the correlation between FEC-CON and PCV-CON (r=-0.280, P < 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation between FEC-PAS and FEC-CON was 0.069 (P > 0.50). However, the Spearman rank correlation between PCV-PAS and PCV-CON was 0.376 (P < 0.01). Using mixed model methods, the means for FEC-CON and FEC-PAS were similar (1,428 vs 1,698±169 epg for CON and PAS, respectively). However, PCV were different (P < 0.01), with 28.3 vs. 20.7±0.34 for CON and PAS, respectively. Pasture PCV was a predictor of PCV in confinement and vice versa; however, that was not true for FEC, indicating that FEC in PAS and in CON may be two separate traits. Future buck performance tests should incorporate pasture and confinement phases to more precisely identify superior bucks for IP resistance.

Equine helminth prevalence and management practices on Australian properties as shown by coprological survey and written questionnaire

Context Parasite control is an essential part of a broader equine health-management strategy and is often completely administered by the horse owner, with little or no supporting evidence on which to base decisions. Practical and sound advice relies on knowledge of the resident parasite species, the anthelmintic resistance status of important species, and the strategies currently being utilised by owners and managers of horses. Much of this farm-level information is lacking in the Australian literature. Aims The present study aimed to gather both farm- and horse-level prevalence data for four important equine helminth species and to gather information on the current worm-management practices conducted on Australian horse farms. Methods We conducted a coprological survey of cyathostomins, Strongylus vulgaris, Parascaris spp. and equine tapeworm on 102 horse properties, using a combination of classical and molecular parasitological methods, including a tapeworm polymerase chain reaction developed as part of the study. A questionnaire canvasing horse owners on internal parasite-control practices was also distributed. Key results Cyathostomin were present on all farms surveyed and S. vulgaris, despite being considered rare, was present on 7.8% (95% CI: 3.9–15.0) of farms. The prevalence of Parascaris spp. and equine tapeworm was 33.3% (95% CI: 19.6–50.6) and 3.9% (95% CI: 1.5–10.1) respectively. Questionnaire responses showed that the majority (85.0%) of horse owners administer anthelmintics at regular intervals of 12 weeks or less, and only 2.6% utilise faecal egg counts to inform treatment decisions. Conclusions Prevalence data confirmed the endemic nature of cyathostomin and P. equorum infections, as well as low levels of tapeworm and S. vulgaris infections on Australian horse farms. Worm-management practices were reminiscent of traditional interval-style treatment regimens that rely heavily on macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics. Implications These results suggest a need for more strategic approaches to internal-parasite control in horses to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance. Such programs need to consider the risk of re-establishment of the pathogenic S. vulgaris in significant numbers.

Appréciation de l’état de santé et Prévalence des parasites internes et de la Peste-Des- Petits-Ruminants chez les ovins dans la Commune Rurale de Thiou (Yatenga) au Burkina Faso

Le but de cette étude était de faire la recherche-diagnostique de certaines pathologies ovines. Pour cela, une enquête a été réalisée auprès de 100 éleveurs répartis dans 5 villages, suivis de prélèvement de fèces et de sang dans trois villages pour la coproscopie et la sérologie. Au total 150 prélèvements de sang et de fèces ont été analysés. Les problèmes cutanés, les lésions de pattes et les diarrhées ont étés les principaux symptômes de maladies décrits par les éleveurs. Une prévalence d’infestation parasitaire moyenne de 86,7 % et un nombre moyen d’Œuf Par Gramme de fèces de 1149 ± 706 ont été trouvés. Des prévalences de 31,6%, 85,0 % et 3,33 %, ont été trouvées respectivement pour les Nématodes, les Coccidies et les Cestodes (P < 0, 05). La prévalence était de 44,2% pour les âges compris entre16 et 24 mois et de 7,70% pour les âges inferieurs à 15 mois (P < 0,05). La prévalence des infestations a été plus élevée dans le village de Nomon (36,5%) contre 30,7 et 32,7 % pour les villages de Nodin et Thiou. Une séroprévalence de 36,7% a été trouvé pour la Peste-Des -Petits Ruminants. La prévalence était plus élevée chez les ovins âgés de plus de 25 mois (45,5%) (P < 0,05), et le village de Nodin à présenté une séroprévalence plus élevée (59,1 %) comparativement à Thiou (22,7%) et Nomon (18,2%) (P < 0,05). Il a été conclu que les coccidies, les helminthes et la Peste-Des-Petits Ruminants constituent toujours des menaces chez les ovins à Thiou. Health Status Assessment, Prevalence of internal parasites and Peste-Des-Petits-Ruminants in sheep farms in the Rural Community of Thiou (Yatenga) in Burkina Faso ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of some important sheep diseases in Yatenga province of Burkina Faso. Therefore, a survey was conducted among 100 farmers in five villages, followed by faeces and blood sampling in three villages for coproscopy and serology. A total of 150 blood and faeces samples were analysed. The survey reported that skin and leg problems in addition to diarrhoea were the main disease symptoms described by the farmers. The laboratory data showed average internal parasite prevalence of 86.7% and average Oocysts per Faeces Gramm of 1149 ± 706. Prevalence of 31.6%, 85.0% and 3.33% were found for Nematodes, Coccidia and Cestodes respectively (P <0.05), and prevalence were 76.9% for females and 23.0% for males. Average OPG numbers were higher in males (2250  902) compared to females (819  259) (P <0.05). Parasite prevalence were 44.2% for sheep with ages ranging between 16 and 24 months, and 7.70% for those less than 15 months old (P <0.05). Overall parasite prevalence was higher in the village of Nomon (36.5%) against 30.7 and 32.7% for the villages of Nodin and Thiou. A seroprevalence of 36.7% was found for Peste-Des-Petits –Ruminants with a variation by sex showing 8.80% in males and 43.8% in females (P <0.05). The prevalence was higher in sheep older than 25 months compared to the other age groups (45.5%) (P <0.05). Higher seroprevalence was observed in Nodin (59.1%) compared to Thiou (22.7%) and Nomon villages (18.2%) (P <0.05). It was concluded that Coccidia, Helminths and Peste-Des-Petits –Ruminants are still threats against sheep production in Thiou.

197 Utilization of Katahdin rams with lower fecal egg count estimated breeding values improves parasite resistance and fitness traits of progeny

Genetic selection for internal parasite resistance in sheep is a valuable tool to mitigate effects of parasitism especially when significant within breed variability exists. To better understand the mechanism underpinning this variability, a divergent mating scheme was established. Katahdin rams (n = 4) were selected based on their estimated breeding value (EBV) for fecal egg count (FEC) and grouped as numerically high (HiFEC; n = 2) or low (LoFEC; n = 2). Rams were randomly mated to Katahdin ewes at the Southwest Virginia Agriculture Research and Extension Center. Lambs were born mid-March and managed as one group, then weaned in mid-June. Lambs were transported to the WVU Animal Sciences Farm where they were randomly allocated to four pens with even distribution of sire and sex. All lambs (n = 109) were infected with 10,000 H. contortus L3 and the infection persisted for 5 weeks. Weights, FEC, and packed cell volume (PCV) were collected weekly. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mixed Model procedure and repeated measures in SAS with fixed effects of sire group. Weaning FEC was numerically greater for HiFEC-sired lambs vs. LoFEC-sired lambs (2914 vs. 1821 eggs/g; respectively). However, death loss for HiFEC-sired lambs tended to be almost twice that of LoFEC-sired lambs (20% vs. 11%, P = 0.09; respectively). Weaning weights did not differ. Fecal egg count from the prepatent to patent period was greater in HiFEC vs. LoFEC-sired lambs (210 vs. 34 eggs/g; P = 0.05). Packed cell volume was numerically lower in HiFEC-sired lambs. There were no differences in post-weaning growth, ultrasound fat thickness, or loin depth in lambs from divergent sire groups. These data indicate that utilizing LoFEC EBV sires reduces FEC and improves disease resistance in progeny without affecting growth or carcass traits

Testing the parasite mass burden effect on host behaviour alteration in the Schistocephalus-stickleback system

ABSTRACTMany parasites with complex life cycles modify their intermediate host’s behaviour, which has been proposed to increase transmission to their definitive host. This behavioural change could result from the parasite actively manipulating its host, but could also be explained by a mechanical effect, where the parasite’s physical presence affects host behaviour. We created an artificial internal parasite using silicone injections in the body cavity to test this mechanical effect hypothesis. We used the Schistocephalus solidus - threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) system, as this cestode can reach up to 92% of its fish host mass. Our results suggest that the mass burden brought by this macroparasite alone is not sufficient to cause behavioural changes in its host. Furthermore, our results show that wall-hugging (thigmotaxis), a measure of anxiety in vertebrates, is significantly reduced in Schistocephalus-infected sticklebacks, unveiling a new altered component of behaviour that may result from manipulation by this macroparasite.