Biomedical subjects

F H Borgsteede

Publications and source records attributed to F H Borgsteede.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The 2000 canine distemper epidemic in Caspian seals (Phoca caspica): pathology and analysis of contributory factors.

More than 10,000 Caspian seals (Phoca caspica) were reported dead in the Caspian Sea during spring and summer 2000. We performed necropsies and extensive laboratory analyses on 18 seals, as well as examination of the pattern of strandings and variation in weather in recent years, to identify the cause of mortality and potential contributory factors. The monthly stranding rate in 2000 was up to 2.8 times the historic mean. It was preceded by an unusually mild winter, as observed before in mass mortality events of pinnipeds. The primary diagnosis in 11 of 13 seals was canine distemper, characterized by broncho-interstitial pneumonia, lymphocytic necrosis and depletion in lymphoid organs, and the presence of typical intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in multiple epithelia. Canine distemper virus infection was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction products. Organochlorine and zinc concentrations in tissues of seals with canine distemper were comparable to those of Caspian seals in previous years. Concurrent bacterial infections that may have contributed to the mortality of the seals included Bordetella bronchiseptica (4/8 seals), Streptococcus phocae (3/8), Salmonella dublin (1/8), and S. choleraesuis (1/8). A newly identified bacterium, Corynebacterium caspium, was associated with balanoposthitis in one seal. Several infectious and parasitic organisms, including poxvirus, Atopobacter phocae, Eimeria- and Sarcocystis-like organisms, and Halarachne sp. were identified in Caspian seals for the first time.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Early immunodiagnosis of fasciolosis in ruminants using recombinant Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L-like protease.

A diagnostic ELISA with recombinant Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L-like protease as antigen was developed to detect antibodies against F. hepatica in sheep and cattle. The recombinant cathepsin L-like protease was generated by functional expression of the cDNA from adult stage F. hepatica flukes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Specificity and sensitivity of the cathepsin L enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was assessed using sera from sheep and calves experimentally or naturally mono-infected with F. hepatica and six-seven other parasites. The sensitivity of the cathepsin L ELISA for sheep and cattle sera was 99.1 and 100%, respectively. In the experimental setting with established mono-infections, the specificity of the cathepsin L ELISA was 98.5% for cattle sera and 96.5% for sheep sera. In experimentally infected cattle and sheep, the first detection of F. hepatica-specific antibodies appeared first between 5 and 7 weeks post-infection, but depended on the infectious dose of F. hepatica. In ELISA the detection preceded first detection of the infection based on egg counts and remained detectable till at least 23 weeks after a primary F. hepatica infection. Detection of Fasciola gigantica infections was similar to detection of F. hepatica. The first detection occurred at week 5 and signals persisted for at least 20 weeks. All sera from naturally F. hepatica infected sheep were seropositive in the cathepsin L-like ELISA. The relevance of this ELISA format was also evaluated using sera from naturally infected cattle in the Netherlands, Ecuador and Vietnam and compared with results from egg-counts. For the latter two endemic areas with mixed parasitic infections the 'apparent' sensitivity of the cathepsin L ELISA was calculated for all serum samples together to be 90.2%. The 'apparent' specificity under these conditions was calculated to be 75.3%. In cattle, the cathepsin L ELISA was superior to the concurrently evaluated peptide ELISA format using a single epitope as the antigen both in controlled natural infections as well as in infections in endemic areas. The present ELISA-format contributes a relatively sensitive and reliable tool for the early serodiagnosis of bovine and ovine fasciolosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Organic pig farming: what about parasitic infections?].

The parasitological problems that may arise in organic pig farming are discussed. The rearing of pigs outdoors increases substantially the chances that several parasite species will complete their life cycle. Moreover, zoonoses may play an important role. Parasite species that may cause problems are discussed, as are control measures, when possible.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2001

An experimental study on triclabendazole resistance of Fasciola hepatica in sheep.

The efficacy of triclabendazole in sheep experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica was studied. Two groups of 12 lambs were infected with a susceptible (S) or a resistant (R) strain of F. hepatica. Eight weeks after infection, six lambs of each group (ST and RT) were treated with triclabendazole (10mg/kg). The other lambs were used as untreated controls (SC and RC). The parameters studied were: GLDH, gamma-GT, ELISA measuring antibodies against recombinant cathepsin-L(1) and eggs per gram faeces (epg). The lambs were slaughtered 16 weeks after infection and the number of flukes counted. The GLDH, gamma-GT levels and the OD value of the ELISA decreased as a result of the treatment in group ST. Patent infections were observed in all animals of groups SC, RT and RC. In group ST, occasionally a few eggs were found in five lambs. The percentage of flukes was 31.3 in SC and 37.6 in RC. In the treated groups ST and RT, the percentage of flukes was 0.06 and 33.6, respectively. These results corresponded to efficacies of 99.8% in the susceptible and 10.8% in the resistant strain. Since the resistant strain was isolated from a mixed cattle and sheep farm, it confirms the presence of triclabendazole resistance in the Netherlands.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Resistance of Fasciola hepatica against triclabendazole in cattle and sheep in The netherlands.

In the winter of 1998/1999, sheep on a farm in the province of North Holland, The Netherlands, died from subacute and chronic liver fluke disease despite four previous treatments with triclabendazole (TCBZ). Faecal examinations of sheep and cattle on the farm showed high number of liver fluke eggs. In a randomised clinical trial, the fluke egg output was monitored weekly for 3 weeks in sheep which were treated with TCBZ or with closantel; in dairy cows treated with TCBZ or with clorsulon; and in heifers treated with TCBZ or clorsulon. The results showed a significant reduction of 99.7, 98.1 and 99.2%, respectively, in fluke egg output at 21 days in all non-TCBZ treated animals. TCBZ treatment produced percentage decreases of 15.3, 4.3 and 36.6%, respectively. These results are highly indicative of the presence of TCBZ-resistant Fasciola hepatica in sheep and cattle on this farm.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Cross-sectional serological survey on gastrointestinal and lung nematode infections in first and second-year replacement stock in the netherlands: relation with management practices and use of anthelmintics.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 86 farms randomly distributed in The Netherlands. After housing following the first and the second grazing season (FGS and SGS) serum samples were collected to determine IgG levels against Cooperia oncophora and Dictyocaulus viviparus, and the pepsinogen content. A questionnaire was used to inquire on grazing management practices and the use of anthelmintic drugs. On 80.7 and 60.2% of the farms FGS and SGS animals, respectively, were treated at least once with an anthelmintic drug. The percentage for the SGS animals indicates that the use of anthelmintic drugs in those animals has increased enormously over the last 10-15 years. Generally, parasitic nematode control in the FGS is good on most farms, but it can be characterised as being overprotective. There is a tendency that if anthelmintic drugs are used in the FGS they also are used more often in the SGS. On 12 farms (14%), no anthelmintic drugs were given in the FGS and the SGS. These farms did not differ from the others with respect to management practices in any obvious way. The serological results were in general very low, indicating low levels of exposure to gastrointestinal nematode infection in both FGS and SGS animals. This was not surprising in view of the good to high level of nematode control practices reported by the farmers. Although not statistically significant, a consistent result was that serological results for the SGS animals were more often positive or on average higher on those farms where FGS parasite control tended to be excessive. For D. viviparus, a prevalence rate of 41% positive farms was found. Following comparison with previous data, it is speculated that lungworm (sero-)prevalence in replacement stock may be declining as a result of continuing high levels of parasite control in replacement stock. It is concluded that the results confirm previous surveys, lending support to the conclusion that parasitic nematode control on Dutch dairy farms, certainly in FGS calves, is good but tends to be overprotective.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2000

Nematode parasitism in adult dairy cows in Belgium.

Over a period of 1 year, from November 1997 to October 1998, the abomasa, blood and faecal samples of 121 dairy cows in Belgium were collected and examined for nematode infections. Nematodes were present in the abomasa of 110 animals. Ostertagia was found in all 110, Trichostrongylus was seen in 65 and Haemonchus in 14 abomasa. Overall, 91% of all trichostrongyles recovered were Ostertagia. The geometric mean total number of Ostertagia was 2750, with an average of 74% inhibited early fourth stage larvae (EL4). Between November and February >90% of the Ostertagia worm burden were EL4 stages. The majority of the animals (56%) harboured a low Ostertagia burden (100-5000) and 15% had a high burden (>10,000). Sixty-four percent of the coprocultures were positive and the genera recovered were Ostertagia sp. (100%), Trichostrongylus sp. (42%), Oesophagostomum (32%), Haemonchus sp. (29%) and Cooperia sp. (16%). A seasonal pattern was evident for serum Ostertagia-specific antibodies and for serum pepsinogen concentration, with the highest levels during the summer, and low values during the winter. Dictyocaulus viviparus specific antibodies were detected in the serum of eight (7%) animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Nematode parasites of adult dairy cattle in the Netherlands.

Abomasa, blood samples and faecal samples for examination of nematode infections were collected from 125 dairy cows during the period November 1997-October 1998. Of these, 12 had no grazing history and were, therefore, excluded from this study. From the remaining 113, 88.5% had nematode eggs in the faeces. Larval identification of the positive cultures showed that Ostertagia spp. larvae were most frequent (97%), followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (29%), Oesophagostomum spp. (23%), Cooperia punctata (20%), Cooperia oncophora (4%), Haemonchus contortus (2%) and Bunostomum phlebotomum (1%). The geometric mean EPG was 2.4. Two cows excreted larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus (0.1 and 0.6 LPG resp.). Worms were found in the abomasa of 108 cows (96%). In all these abomasa Ostertagia spp. was present (100%). Trichostrongylus axei was found in 47 abomasa (43.5%) and two cows (2%) were infected with Capillaria bovis. The geometric mean of the total abomasal worm counts was 1743 and of Ostertagia spp. alone 1615. Almost all male worms were Ostertagia ostertagi, only occasionally Skrjabinagia lyrata10,000) total worm burden. Ostertagia specific antibodies were highest in late summer and autumn and lowest in spring and early summer. The same pattern, although not so pronounced, was observed for the serum pepsinogen values. No clear seasonal pattern was found for the Cooperia specific antibodies. Antibodies against D. viviparus were detected in seven cows (6%).

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Use of a pre-selected epitope of cathepsin-L1 in a highly specific peptide-based immunoassay for the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infections in cattle.

A peptide-based indirect ELISA to detect cattle antibodies against Fasciola hepatica was developed and evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity. An immunogenic antigen released in vitro by F. hepatica was purified. After purification the sequence of the first 20 N-terminal aa of this protein showed considerable homology with cathepsin L-like proteinase. Based on its homology with cathepsin-L1, we further focused on this protein for diagnostic purpose. Predicted B-cell epitopes of cathepsin-L1 were synthesised as single synthetic peptides and tested with respect to their diagnostic potential. An indirect ELISA based on one of these peptides was (i) evaluated further and (ii) compared to the potential of an indirect ELISA with excretion/secretion antigens from adult F. hepatica, or (iii) purified cathepsin-L1. Specificity and sensitivity of the three ELISAs were assessed using sera from calves experimentally infected with pure isolates of Dictyocaulus viviparus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus, Schistosoma mattheei, Ascaris suum, Taenia saginata or F. hepatica, respectively, and sera from parasite-naive calves. In addition, sera were analysed from calves naturally infected with F. hepatica. The sensitivities of all three ELISAs were also very high, 98.9% (i), 100% (ii) and 100% (iii). The specificity of the peptide ELISA was very high, 99.8%, whereas specificities of the ES antigens and cathepsin-L1 ELISAs were only 82.8% and 94.6%. In experimentally infected cattle, F. hepatica-specific antibodies were first detected between days 21 and 28 p.i. with all three ELISAs, and the antibody levels persisted in the peptide ELISA until day 183 p.i. All sera from naturally infected calves were positive in the peptide ELISA. These results demonstrate that the peptide-based F. hepatica ELISA is a useful method for detecting antibodies in the sera from cattle infected with F. hepatica. This type of immunodiagnostic will therefore contribute to more accurate diagnosis and to timely curative treatment of animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Management practices and use of anthelmintics on dairy cattle farms in The Netherlands: results of a questionnaire survey.

In December 1996, a questionnaire about farm management and parasite control measures in calves was sent to 956 randomly chosen dairy cattle farmers in The Netherlands. Another 150 farmers in the vicinity of Deventer who had vaccinated their calves in 1995 against lungworm were approached with the same questions. Our object was to investigate the consequences on worm control of the withdrawal of the lungworm vaccine from the market for reasons of possible BSE contamination of the vaccine. OF the returned questionnaires, 411 (43%) of the 'at random' group and 89 (59.3%) of the 'Deventer' group were valid. The most important data with regard to the farms of the 'at random' group (41) were: mean area 31.6 ha, mean number of calves 23, heifers 23 and milking cows 53. Sheep (mean 37) were present on 18.3% of the farms. With regard to management: 74.5% of the farmers turned the calves in their first year onto pasture, 25.5% kept them indoors. The average time on pasture was ca. 5 months. Rational grazing was practise on 81.4% of the farms, on 18.6% calves were set stocked. The first pasture of the calves was mown before turn-out on 72.9% of the farms. On 48.2% of these farms, calves were always moved to mown pastures. With regard to treatments: 33.8% of the farmers vaccinated their calves against lungworm in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995. Despite the withdrawal of the vaccine from the market in 1996, 7.2% of the farmers vaccinated their calves as recommended, with two doses, and 13.1% with a single dose. At turn-out, 41.5% of the farmers gave the calves a preventive anthelmintic treatment. Of these treatments, 66.9% were sustained of pulse release long acting device. During the grazing season, 36.6% of the farmers treated their calves. After housing 50.3% of the farmers gave a treatment. Signs of lungworm infection were noticed on 18.6% of the farms. Of the 'Deventer' group (89 farmers), 96.6% turned the calves out, Of these farmers, 86.0% had used the lungworm vaccine in 1995. In 1996, 52.7% of the farmers had vaccinated the calves:36.5% with a single dose and 16.2% with the double dose. Of the 35 farmers who did not vaccinate in 1996, 62.9% gave a preventive treatment at turn-out. Clinical signs of lungworm infection were not observed on the 12 farms which vaccinated the calves twice. On 11% of the farms which vaccinated once and on 14% of the farms which did not vaccinate, signs of lungworm infection were observed. It is concluded that more than 80% of Dutch dairy cattle farmers take appropriate measures to control gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm infections in calves in their first grazing season by grazing on aftermath, rotational grazing on mown pastures combined or not with preventive anthelmintic treatments. However, combinations of aftermath grazing and preventive treatment occurred on 30% of the farms. This may be overprotective and may prevent sufficient build up of immunity, causing worm problems at a later age. The withdrawal of the lungworm vaccine from the market did not cause a rise in lungworm problems. Some farmers did vaccinate, despite the withdrawal. The majority used other preventive treatment measures, mainly the application of long acting boli.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effect of three sustained-release devices on parasitic bronchitis in first year calves.

The effect of three intraruminal sustained-release devices (SRD) against Dictyocaulus viviparus infection was tested in five groups of six calves. Group 1 served as untreated controls, and groups 2, 3 and 4 were dosed with a levamisole SRD, a fenbendazole SRD, and an ivermectin SRD, respectively. Group 5 was vaccinated against lungworm and received a levamisole SRD. The calves were turned out on May 28 and the devices given seven days later. All the calves received trickle infections with a total of 200 lungworm larvae between 9 and 34 days after turnout. They were housed on October 28, challenged with 5000 lungworm larvae and slaughtered three weeks later. No clinical signs of parasitic bronchitis were observed during the study. The treated groups gained significantly more weight (P < 0.05) than the controls, but did not differ among themselves. Larvae were first detected in the faeces of the control group between 25 and 32 days after the first infection, and had a group mean of 21 larvae per gram (lpg) after 60 to 80 days, after which the lpg gradually decreased. In group 2, larvae were detected near the end of the grazing season and never exceeded a group mean of 1.5 lpg. In group 3, a very low larval output was observed after housing (group mean 0.1 lpg). Groups 4 and 5 never became patent. The results of an ELISA followed the pattern of larval output; optical densities above the cut-off value were recorded in groups 1, 2 and 3. On the basis of worm recoveries after challenge, group 1 was immune. Group 4 had significantly more lungworms than group 2. There were no significant differences in worm numbers between groups 2, 3 and 5, but the worms in group 5 were retarded in growth (P < 0.05).

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Studies on the survival of Ascaris suum eggs under laboratory and simulated field conditions.

A series of four experiments was carried out to study the survival of Ascaris suum eggs: in a pig slurry unit on a farm, in the laboratory under anaerobic conditions and different relative humidities (rH), and under simulated field conditions. Survival of eggs in the pig slurry unit was 20% after four weeks and 0% after 16 weeks. Anaerobic conditions had only a minor influence on survival: after 12 weeks, more than 80% of the eggs could still develop. At high relative humidities (100% and 75%), survival was respectively 96% and 62% after 12 weeks. At 47.5% rH, survival dropped to 0% after 10 weeks and at 7.5% rH in 8 weeks. A. suum eggs kept in pig slurry under dry and sunny outdoor conditions survived for 2-4 weeks, whereas under wet and shady conditions, 90% of the eggs were still viable after 8 weeks.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed1998

Parasites of stomach and small intestine of 70 horses slaughtered in The Netherlands.

The prevalence of metazoan parasites in the stomach and small intestine was investigated in 70 horses slaughtered in the period February 1994-July 1994. Most horses were young (1.5-3 years) and in good condition. Trichostrongylus axei was the most prevalent parasite species in the stomach (51.4%), followed by Gasterophilus intestinalis (41.4%) and Habronema spp. (4.3%). In the small intestine, Parascaris equorum (28.6%) and Paranoplocephala mamillana (1.4%) were found. The mean worm burden of T. axei was 957 (max. 8502), of G. intestinalis 21 (max. 84), of Habronema spp. 3 (max. 5), and of P. equorum 32 (max. 308). One single specimen of P. mamillana was seen. All bots of G. intestinalis were in the third instar stage. No seasonal pattern and no influence of the parasites on the condition of the horses could be observed.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Selection for high levamisole resistance in Haemonchus contortus monitored with an egg-hatch assay.

To investigate the characteristics of selection for levamisole resistance in Haemonchus contortus, the consecutive nematode generations of an in vivo selection were monitored with a newly developed egg-hatch assay. The in vivo selection was started with a population not previously exposed to any anthelmintics (SHS). At first, the levamisole resistance progressed gradually in successive nematode generations by treating sheep with increasing doses of levamisole, the initial dose being 1 mg kg-1. Treatment with 5 mg kg-1 levamisole resulted, however, in a steep increase of resistance. The selection was ended after six generations, since a level of 30 mg kg-1 levamisole, which is not far from the toxic level for sheep, was reached. The final population, RHS6, was studied in a controlled test. Treatment of RHS6-infected sheep with 30 mg kg-1 levamisole caused an 80% decrease of faecal egg output, and a reduction of 34% in worm numbers. It was remarkable that only the number of female adults was reduced. RHS6 showed a reduced viability, but a fertility similar to the starting population SHS.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomes in horses in the Ukraine.

The efficacy of treatment with cambendazole was tested in 1-year-old horses on a farm in Dubrovka, Ukraine. Thirty-five horses were treated. Their egg output was compared on the day of treatment and 14 days later with that of 33 untreated horses. Before treatment the mean number of eggs g-1 faeces was 614 in the controls and 766 in horses that had been treated. After 14 days the mean egg output in the controls was 580 and in the treated horses 369. This means a reduction of 54.5%. Only cyathostome larvae could be cultured from faeces collected after treatment. It can be concluded that benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomes is present in the Ukraine.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Evaluation of an ELISA for the routine diagnosis of Dictyocaulus viviparus infections in cattle.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects antibodies against Dictyocaulus viviparus in experimentally and naturally infected cattle was evaluated for its sensitivity, specificity, the moment of seroconversion and persistence of the anti-D. viviparus response and precision. The first three parameters were compared with those of an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA). Specificity and sensitivity of both assays were assessed in sera collected from calves experimentally infected with pure isolates of D. viviparus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus, Ascaris suum or Fasciola hepatica, and from parasite-naive calves. The specificity of both the ELISA and IHA was very high, 99.2% and 99.6%, respectively. The sensitivity of the ELISA (100%) was significantly higher than that of the IHA (78.1%). In experimentally infected cattle, D. viviparus-specific antibodies were first detected with the ELISA between days 28 and 42 post-infection (p.i.), whereas the IHA only became positive between days 42 and 70. With the ELISA, antibody levels persisted until day 168 p.i. The IHA remained positive until the end of the experiment (day 196). None of the vaccinated animals were seropositive with the ELISA, whereas 25% of the calves were seropositive with the IHA. The seroprevalence of D. viviparus infections was determined in a field study with 467 sera from cattle of 64 herds; 227 (48.6%) of the animals were seropositive with the ELISA whereas only 38 (8.1%) scored positive with the IHA. To determine the precision of the ELISA, a total of five laboratories participated in trials, in which panels of strong positive, positive, and weak positive candidate sera were tested blind according to an international (International Standard ISO 5725, 1986) standard procedure. The repeatability and reproducibility of the ELISA were 0-16% and 14-26%, respectively. After these promising results it was decided to introduce this ELISA in 1995 as a routine test in all Animal Health Services in the Netherlands, replacing the IHA and faecal examinations for lungworm.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A survey of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of sheep in The Netherlands.

The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of sheep was surveyed in 1994 on 70 farms in the Netherlands. An in vitro egg hatch assay, faecal egg count reduction (FECR) 14 days after treatment, and larval cultures were used as methods of investigation. Oxfendazole was tested on 69, ivermectin on 51, and levamisole on 36 farms. The median effective dose (ED50) of thiabendazole could be determined on 64 farms. On 60 farms (94%) the ED50 value was > or = 0.12 microgram ml-1, which is indicative of the presence of benzimidazole (BZ) resistance. On two farms egg output was too low to do a FECR test. Based on the results of the FECR test, BZ resistance was present on 56 farms (84%), on 2 farms there was a suspicion of resistance and on 9 farms no resistance could be found. No clear indications were found for the presence of resistance against ivermectin or levamisole. BZ resistance was demonstrated in Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia curticei, Ostertagia spp. and/or Trichostrongylus spp. No resistance was observed in species from the genus Nematodirus, Chabertia ovina and/or Oesophagostomum spp.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Anthelmintic resistant nematodes in goats in The Netherlands.

A suspected case of anthelmintic resistance on a farm with Angora and Anglo-Nubian goats was confirmed in a controlled test. Twelve lambs of sheep were infected with larvae cultured from faeces of the goats. The lambs were allocated to four groups: untreated controls and lambs treated 21 days after infection with 5 mg kg-1 oxfendazole, 0.2 mg kg-1 ivermectin or 7.5 mg kg-1 levamisole. The lambs were slaughtered 1 week later and post-mortem worm counts were performed. Benzimidazole resistance was found in Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Cooperia curticei and Trichostrongylus colubriformis with the efficacy of oxfendazole being 68%, 31%, 21% and 48% respectively. No resistance was found against levamisole or ivermectin.

Abomasum↗