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Preliminary observations on helminth parasite populations of the dromedary in northern Mali.

An abattoir survey on gastrointestinal parasites of the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) was carried out in March/April 1987 in northern Mali. Parasitological examination of the digestive tract contents of 11 dromedaries revealed that Haemonchus longistipes was the predominant parasite with a prevalence as high as 85.7%. The genera Impalaia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, and Oesophagostomum were also recovered, but with a lower level of infection and frequency. The larval stage of the canine cestode Echinococcus granulosus was recorded in a single instance.

Abattoirs↗

Relationship between pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy of ruminant anthelmintics.

The purpose of this review article is to establish a relationship between pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy of the most widely used broad-spectrum veterinary anthelmintics. The impact of drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics on anthelmintic efficacy and resistance is discussed. We review the clinical pharmacokinetics of the currently available anthelmintics used in livestock-imidazothiazoles, tetrahydropyrimidines, benzimidazoles/pro-benzimidazoles, salicylanilides (closantel) and avermectin-type compounds. Understanding the pharmacokinetic and metabolic behaviour of broad-spectrum anthelmintics in the host, and factors modulating that behaviour, is highly important for maximizing anthelmintic utility and efficacy.

Animals↗

Pattern of abomasal helminths in fallow deer farming in Umbria (central Italy).

Five helminth species were seen in the abomasa of 29 farmed fallow deer. Spiculopteragia asymmetrica was most common in both prevalence (96.6%) and abundance (166.2). Ostertagia drozdzi, Ostertagia arctica and Spiculopteragia quadrispiculata were also recovered with high prevalence (79.3-93.1%); Trichostrongylus axei was sporadic (3.4%). Yearlings had worm counts of 496-1480, adult males of 168-1720 and females of 18-2008. For nine of 13 deer, the faecal egg counts were negative and post-mortem examinations were positive, with 18-1140 worms per deer. The results are discussed in relation to helminth population, its epidemiological significance and management strategies.

Abomasum↗

The relationship between coccidial and helminth infections in sheep and goats in Kenya.

Studies on prevalence of coccidian oocysts and their infection levels (oocysts g-1, OPG) were carried out among various age groups of sheep and goats from different geographical locations in Kenya. Prevalent species of Eimeria were identified and levels of infection with strongyle eggs (eggs g-1, EPG) examined. A significant difference was found in the EPG levels between various farms but not in the OPG levels; this was attributed to the relative susceptibility of various preparasitic stages of helminths to adverse climatic conditions, especially desiccation, compared with coccidian oocysts. There was a negative correlation between OPG levels and the age of animals as a result of acquired immunity. Between OPG and EPG values there was a positive correlation which is in tandem with the role of contamination in the acquisition of both types of infection. Sheep were found to shed significantly more oocysts and helminth eggs than goats; this could be related to the differences in their mode of feeding, i.e. grazing and browsing respectively. Young age (under 1 year) and confinement were found to contribute to high prevalence of oocysts in faecal samples. In sheep, a total of ten species of Eimeria were identified, the most prevalent being E. ovina (43%) and E. ovinoidalis (16.5%). In goat samples, eight species were identified, the commonest being E. arloingi (37.5%) and E. ninakohlyakimovae (35.2%).

Age Factors↗

Interactions between Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora in calves.

Development of immunity to Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora and interactions between both species in primed calves were investigated after homologous, heterologous and concurrent challenge infections. Worm counts, faecal egg output, IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies and the presence of globule leucocytes were used to evaluate the possible interactions. Results show that immunity build-up against O. ostertagi is slow in comparison with C. oncophora. The presence of early fourth-stage larvae and globule leukocytes in the O. ostertagi primed groups was significantly different to that of a previously uninfected control group. Ostertagia ostertagi and C. oncophora IgG1 antibodies were high in the previously exposed groups compared with uninfected controls and C. oncophora antibodies cross-reacted strongly with O. ostertagi antigens. There was no conclusive evidence for an interaction between C. oncophora and O. ostertagi. Globule leukocytes, IgG1 antibodies and early fourth-stage larvae seem to be related to development of immunity to O. ostertagi.

Animals↗

A comparison of early and mid grazing season suppressive anthelmintic treatments for first year grazing calves and their effects on natural and experimental infection during the second year.

A comparison was made of the efficacy and parasitological sequelae over 2 years, of continuous and intermittent periods of anthelmintic suppression applied both early and in the middle of the first grazing season of calves. Five groups of 15 calves grazing separate paddocks within the same field were allotted to one of the following treatment regimes during their first year at grass: Group 1, untreated controls; Group 2, treated with ivermectin injections at 3, 8 and 13 weeks after turnout; Group 3, treated with ivermectin injections at 10, 15 and 20 weeks after turnout; Group 4, treated with a morantel slow release intraruminal bolus at turnout; Group 5, treated with a morantel slow release bolus at 10 weeks after turnout. Five animals from each group were slaughtered at the end of both grazing seasons. Two months after the end of the second season the remaining five calves were challenged with an experimental infection of 250,000 third-stage larvae (L3) of both Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. All treatment regimes protected the respective calves from parasitic gastroenteritis. Over the 2 year observation period Groups 2 and 4 showed significantly better weight gain than other groups, and at the end of the first season, they were found to harbour significantly fewer O. ostertagi in the early fourth stage of development. During Year 1, Groups 2 and 3 excreted much lower percentages of Ostertagia spp. eggs than other groups. In Year 2, Group 2 excreted a higher percentage of Ostertagia spp. eggs although the total egg output was approximately half that of Group 1 during the same period. The results showed that the effects of anthelmintic suppression on egg output of different nematode species was affected by the activity of the anthelmintic used.

Animal Feed↗

Dry areas: an example of seasonal evolution of helminth infection of sheep and goats in southern Mauritania.

A total of 647 faecal egg counts and 53 necropsies were performed on sheep and goats originating from three sites of a Sahelian region of Mauritania (Gorgol) over a period of 2 years (1990-1992). Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum columbianum and Stilesia globipunctata were the most prevalent species. The seasonal pattern was characterized by long survival of adults and high percentages of arrested fourth-stage larvae in the dry season, suggesting that two different strategies were used to survive from one rainy season to the next. Sheep and goats were equally infected, except for Stilesia globipunctata, which was found more often in sheep. The influence of age was limited, although kids and lambs born in the beginning of the dry season did not become infected until their first grazing in the rainy season.

Analysis of Variance↗

Weight gain and the course of some estimators of gastrointestinal nematode infection in calves during winter housing in relation to the level of exposure during the previous grazing season.

In two experiments groups of calves were exposed to different levels and patterns of infection with Ostertagia spp. and Cooperia spp. The experimental design simulated the stereotypic pattern of herbage infestation, including a normal or a delayed midsummer increase, under conditions of set-stocking. After this simulated 'first grazing season', calves were monitored throughout the subsequent winter housing period. No continuing negative effects of previous infection on growth performance were observed. Calves in all groups gained on average over 0.7 kg day-1, irrespective of previous level of exposure. Differences between the experiments with respect to either level or pattern of infection during the preceding 'first grazing season' were all, to a greater or lesser extent, reflected in faecal egg counts, pepsinogen values, gastrin values and antibody titres against Cooperia spp. or Ostertagia spp. Depending on the time of sampling, pepsinogen values and antibody titres against Ostertagia spp. particularly were useful variables for assessing differences in levels of infection to which groups of calves had been exposed.

Animal Feed↗

Epidemiological studies on intestinal helminth parasites of rural and urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom.

An epidemiological study of intestinal helminths in 843 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from southern England revealed the presence of 13 parasite species: five nematodes--Toxocara canis (prevalence 55.9%), Toxascaris leonina (1.5%), Uncinaria stenocephala (68.0%), Trichuris vulpis (0.5%) and Capillaria aerophila (0.2%); four cestodes--Taenia pisiformis (13.8%), Taenia hydatigena (2.5%), Echinococcus granulosus (0.1%) and Dipylidium caninum (3.8%); two trematodes--Brachylaima recurva (2.9%) and Cryptocotyle lingua (2.3%); two acanthocephalans--Prosthorhynchus transversus (0.7%) and Macracanthorhynchus catulinus (0.1%). Trichuris vulpis, Brachylaima recurva, Macracanthorhynchus catulinus and Prosthorhynchus transversus are new host records for the UK. Results are discussed with reference to variations in the diets of urban and rural foxes and to their potential as reservoir hosts for helminths of medical and veterinary importance.

Animals↗

Structure and activity of avermectins and milbemycins in animal health.

The avermectins and, to a lesser extent, the milbemycins, have revolutionized antiparasitic and antipest control over the last decade. Both avermectins and milbemycins have macrocyclic lactone structures that are superimposable, they are produced by the same genus of soil dwelling organisms, they have the same mode of action, they exert this action against the same nematode/acarine/insect spectrum of targets, and they show the same mechanism-based toxicity in mammals. Reports suggesting that milbemycins have a different mode of action from avermectins with implications that there will be no mutual resistance to the groups have been shown to be false. Contributing to the belief that there were differences in mode of action between the two groups are the vague definitions of resistance presently in use which rely on the ability of the parasite to survive treatment at the manufacturer's recommended use level. More appropriately, drug resistance should be defined as 'a change in gene frequency of a population, produced by drug selection, which renders the minimal, effective dosage previously used to kill a defined portion (e.g. 95%) of the population no longer equally effective'. This type of definition would allow us to detect changes in susceptibility of a population earlier and is essential when comparing different chemicals to determine if there is mutual resistance to them. It is concluded that much effort has been expended by pharmaceutical, government, and academic scientists searching for broad-spectrum second generation avermectin and milbemycin products, but none has exceeded the original avermectin in any fundamental way. The newer avermectin and milbemycin compounds that have appeared claim niches in the market place based on emphasis of certain narrow parts of the overall spectrum. Consequently, there are no second generation avermectins and milbemycins at present and all newer compounds from this mode of action class are viewed as siblings of the first generation.

Animals↗

A 4-year study on the effectiveness of alternate grazing of cattle and sheep in the control of bovine parasitic gastro-enteritis.

In many farming enterprises, animal management systems which could provide a practical and effective alternative to chemotherapy for the control of bovine helminthosis would be readily accepted. One system which has been proposed and shown to be effective in the short or medium term involves grazing different host species on a rotational basis. The study described here examined the effect of alternating cattle and sheep annually over an extended period of 4 years. Up to the second grazing season the system appeared to be successful, with a marked reduction in the cattle worm burdens. However, by the end of the study period the parasite burdens in calves grazed on the alternated pasture were equal to, or greater than, those of set-stocked control animals. It was thus clear that the alternate grazing strategy had failed. Data obtained from other parameters measured, i.e. faecal egg counts, pasture larval numbers and plasma pepsinogen levels, confirmed this observation.

Animal Feed↗

Dose titration of moxidectin oral gel against gastrointestinal parasites of ponies.

Moxidectin was tested as an oral gel formulation during a controlled test performed to evaluate dosages against equine gastrointestinal parasites. Four groups of ten ponies were used. Ponies ranged from 1 to 20 years of age and were naturally infected in southern Louisiana or Mississippi. Fecal exams and fecal cultures were performed on all ponies to determine the strongyle egg counts and the percent distributions of large and small strongyles. Following these determinations, ponies were allocated to replicates of four ponies to provide an even distribution of strongyle infection, age, weight and gender. Members of each replicate were then randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. The doses tested were 300, 400 and 500 micrograms kg-1 body weight. The oral gel vehicle alone served as control. Treatments were administered behind the tongue and the ponies were observed continuously for 4 h for any adverse reactions; thereafter, ponies were observed at least twice daily. Necropsy examinations were performed 14 days post-treatment for the recovery and identification of any parasites present. Moxidectin, at all doses tested, was 100% efficacious against adults of Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Triodontophorus spp. and 22 species of small strongyles. Moxidectin was also 100% efficacious against larvae of Strongylus edentatus and Oxyuris equi, greater than 94% efficacious against Strongylus vulgaris larvae and Oxyuris equi adults at 14 days post-treatment. Moxidectin proved highly efficacious against luminal small strongyle larvae (> 99.9% against L4 and > 92% against L3) and moxidectin demonstrated some efficacy against encysted small strongyle larvae as well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Helminth parasites and hypobiosis of nematodes in N'Dama cattle during the dry season in The Gambia.

Three series of necropsies of cattle were performed, corresponding to early dry season, approximately 1 month after the last rains (November, n = 6), mid dry season (February, n = 6) and end dry season (April, n = 3). Eggs per gram of faeces (epg) were determined just before necropsy. Three trematodes (Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spp. and Paramphistomatids) and 11 nematodes were identified from cattle, with the prevalence rate varying from 6.7% to 100%. Haemonchus contortus was the most abundant nematode species, constituting from 81% (February) to 34.8% (April) of the total nematode burden. The proportion of L4 (indicating hypobiosis) of H. contortus was 85-99%. During the dry season, 44-67% of Oesophagostomum radiatum and 8-34% of Cooperia spp. population occurred as L4. There was no correlation between the number of worms found at necropsy and the epg. H. contortus survives almost exclusively as larvae in the abomasal mucosae, whereas Cooperia spp. and O. radiatum survive partly as larvae in the lumen, and also in nodules in the case of O. radiatum, and partly as hypometabolic adults with highly reduced fecundity. Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Strongyloides papillosus, Nematodirus spp. and Setaria labiatopapillosa occurred in small numbers.

Animals↗

Comparison of daily and monthly pyrantel treatment in yearling thoroughbreds and the protective effect of strategic medication of mares on their foals.

Studies on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Ohio were done to: (1) compare the effects of daily administration of pyrantel tartrate feed pellets with monthly administration of a pyrantel pamoate paste to yearling horses (21 January-3 September); (2) assess the effects of daily pyrantel tartrate given strategically in spring/summer to foaling mares (1 April-16 August) and given for a prolonged period to barren mares (21 January-3 September); (3) determine if strategic medication of foaling mares with daily pyrantel tartrate protected their foals until weaning. There were no differences in cyathostome egg counts, pasture larval counts, body condition scores, or body weights of yearlings treated with daily pyrantel tartrate or monthly pyrantel pamoate. Both treatments failed to maintain fecal egg counts of yearlings below 100 eggs per gram (epg), and mean counts exceeded 400 epg (pyrantel pamoate) and 700 epg (pyrantel tartrate) in August and September, resulting in a sharp, but moderate increase in pasture infectivity in October. By contrast, prolonged or strategic use of daily pyrantel tartrate in mature horses were each highly effective in reducing pasture contamination and infectivity with cyathostome eggs and larvae respectively. Strategic medication of foaling mares provided protection of their foals until weaning and first treatment of foals was delayed until after weaning when mean strongyle counts exceeded 100 epg. Treatment of weanlings with pyrantel pamoate had little effect on egg counts. A comparative anthelmintic study with ivermectin, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate confirmed earlier studies showing reduced efficacy of anthelmintics in young horses.

Administration, Oral↗

Epidemiology and control of helminth infections in pigs under intensive and non-intensive production systems.

Swine production systems are characterised by a high diversity with regard to management type and the level of intensity of management. The number of helminth species and their infection levels are strongly influenced by the different systems. The present paper focuses on the situation in northern Europe, with examples from Denmark, and describes a decrease in both the number of helminth species and in their infection levels as a result of a shift from non-intensive to highly intensive production systems. Differences in the basic biological requirements of the pre-infective larvae, and in the transmission characteristics and immunogenicity of the various helminth species, explain why some species are more vulnerable to manage mental changes than others. Finally, control measures for the different production systems are discussed. Even though it is well documented that proper hygiene and management may prevent transmission of helminths, use of anthelmintics is still the single most important action taken by pig farmers to control worm infections. It is emphasised that anthelmintics should not be used uncritically, but should be integrated with management practices and the production system to achieve optimum effect and to avoid development of anthelmintic resistance.

Animal Husbandry↗

Chemotherapy and delivery systems--helminths.

The milbemycins are the only novel broad spectrum anthelmintic chemicals to reach the market place in the last 10 years. Many new systems for delivery and strategies for rational use have, however, been introduced. Boluses which are retained by virtue of specific gravity and by variable geometry are now available. They contain benzimidazoles, morantel, ivermectin and levamisole. Their release mechanisms involve preferential corrosion of a retaining metal core, constant diffusion from a laminated ethylene acetate sandwich, and a hydrostatic pump driven by osmotic pressure. Some are biodegradable. Experimental delivery systems have been developed incorporating ear implants and liposomes. The anthelmintic efficacy of some drugs has been potentiated by the synergistic action of metabolic inhibitors and these combinations hold promise for the future. Much new information is now available on those factors which affect anthelmintic efficacy such as concurrent administration with food and the presence of the target parasites themselves. This knowledge provides a sound basis for the rational use of anthelmintic drugs.

Alginates↗