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Wu ZX, Kang Y, Huang SB, Liu YY, Mei JJ, Liu Q, Zhu XQ. Molecular Identification and Survey of Cyclospora spp. in Cattle in Shanxi Province, North China. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2114. [PMID: 39061576 PMCID: PMC11274234 DOI: 10.3390/ani14142114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, more than 20 species in the genus Cyclospora have been reported. Among them, Cyclospora cayetanensis has been recognized as the causative agent of human cyclosporiasis, which is characterized by severe intestinal injury and prolonged diarrhea in patients with immune dysfunction. The presence of C. cayetanensis in cattle has been confirmed. To date, however, no surveillance data are available on the occurrence and prevalence of Cyclospora spp. in cattle in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 761 fecal samples collected from cattle in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this Province were examined for Cyclospora spp. by using a polymerase-chain-reaction-restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test based on the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The prevalence of Cyclospora spp. in cattle was 2.1%, and region, age, sex, and breed were not identified to be risk factors. Molecular evolutionary analysis based on the SSU rRNA sequences revealed that all 12 of the isolates were relatively distant from the human pathogen C. cayetanensis; seven isolates were grouped with Cyclospora colobi, whereas the others were grouped with cattle Cyclospora spp. reported previously. Though C. cayetanensis was not detected in cattle in the present study, more investigations should be performed in human populations, other animal species, or cattle from other regions of Shanxi Province and other environmental sources from the One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Qing Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-X.W.); (Y.K.); (S.-B.H.); (Y.-Y.L.); (J.-J.M.)
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-X.W.); (Y.K.); (S.-B.H.); (Y.-Y.L.); (J.-J.M.)
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Chen P, Ding WL, Xu BW, Rehman MU, Liu KL, He YF, Li SY, Jian FC, Huang 黄 SC淑. Aflatoxin B1 as a complicit in intestinal damage caused by Eimeria ovinoidalis in lambs: Novel insights to reveal parasite-gut battle. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174539. [PMID: 38977103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mycotoxins, unavoidable contaminants in feed and feed ingredients, have the potential to influence the incidence and severity of various diseases upon ingestion. Sheep coccidiosis is an enteric disease caused by protozoa of Eimeria spp. However, the extent to which the presence of aflatoxin b1 (AFB1) synergistically exacerbates damage to intestinal health in lambs with Eimeria remains unclear. 50-day-old female lambs were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for 15 days to assess the impact of AFB1 exposure on lambs with or without Eimeria (E.) ovinoidalis infection. Our findings reveal that AFB1 synergistically intensifies damage to intestinal health in lambs challenged by E. ovinoidalis. This is evidenced by disruptions to the intestinal microbiota and reductions in the production of short-chain fatty acids. AFB1 further aggravates damage to the cecal mechanical barrier. Additionally, AFB1 contributes to the entry of lipopolysaccharide into the bloodstream, activating the inflammatory response. Interestingly, AFB1 exposure history results in an early peak of oocyst excretion and a decreased number of oocyst excretion in E. ovinoidalis infected lambs. This may be closely linked to the destruction of the intestinal epithelial cell structure and its apoptosis, as indicated by a decreased ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax and increased caspase-3 levels. Mechanistically, proteomics analysis identified mitochondrial dysfunction (inhibition of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway) as the primary factor intensifying intestinal epithelial cell destruction caused by coccidia, exacerbated by AFB1 through the inhibiting the conversion of NADH to NAD+ in the cecum of lambs via down-regulation of the PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM pathway. Overall, these results offer novel insights into the AFB1 complicity in accelerating intestinal damage caused by E. ovinoidalis in lambs. Targeting the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway of the intestine may represent a new therapeutic strategy against the detrimental effects of mycotoxin and coccidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Wen-Li Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Bo-Wen Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Mujeeb Ur Rehman
- Directorate Planning & Development, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Kai-Li Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yan-Feng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Sen-Yang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Fu-Chun Jian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Shu-Cheng 淑成 Huang 黄
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
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He Y, Wang Z, Li S, Chen P, Liu K, Li M, Wang Y, Shaukat A, Abdullah M, Li S, Huang S, Jian F. Effects of three kinds of Chinese herbs on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2024; 71:2024.009. [PMID: 38813809 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2024.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically synthesised drugs are routinely employed to treat coccidiosis in sheep, the anticoccidial drug resistance and drug residues in edible meat have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. Herein, the anticoccidial properties of diclazuril, a conventional anticoccidial drug, and Allium sativum, Houttuynia cordata and Portulaca oleracea were assessed. Forty 45-day-old lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were selected and randomly divided into five groups. The results showed that the sheep treated for coccidiosis had considerably decreased average daily gain (ADG) during both administration and withdrawal of the drug compared to the control group. Furthermore, at days 14, 21, 28 and 35, respectively, the three herbs and diclazuril had similar anticoccidial effects, with lower oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group. On day 78, OPG in the three herbal groups was significantly lower than in the diclazuril group. In addition, the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota were changed in sheep treated with the three herbs and diclazuril compared to the untreated sheep. Moreover, some intestinal microorganisms have a correlation with OPG and ADG when using Spearman correlation analysis. In summary, our results suggest that all three herbs produce anticoccidial effects similar to diclazuril and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in growing lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhanming Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shijie Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kaili Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Manman Li
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd., China
| | - Yingmin Wang
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd., China
| | - Aftab Shaukat
- National Center for International Research on Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (NCIRAGBR), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Muhammad Abdullah
- Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. # These authors contributed equally. *Corresponding author: Shucheng Huang, E-mail: , ORCID: 0000-0003-3163-8616; Fuchun Jian, E-mail: , ORCID: 0000-0001-9481-2277. Address for correspondence: College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Senyang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shucheng Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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Chen P, Li S, Zheng L, Wang Z, He Y, Liu K, Li M, Wang Y, Shaukat A, Li S, Huang S, Jian F. Effects of Radix dichroae extract supplementation on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:279-290. [PMID: 37667094 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10209-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is an intestinal protozoan disease of sheep, that causes substantial economic losses in the industry due to its intestinal protozoan origins. Many anti-protozoan drugs including ionophores, triazines, and sulfonamides have been widely used to treat sheep coccidiosis. Still, anticoccidial resistance and drug residues in edible tissues have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. In this study, the anti-coccidial effectiveness of the Radix dichroae extract was compared to that of the conventional anti-coccidial drug diclazuril. Here, eighteen 45-day-old lambs naturally-infected with Eimeria spp. were randomly allocated in three groups: control group, Radix dichroae extract group and diclazuril group. The results showed that the body weight gain (BWG) during the treatment and withdrawal periods was considerably improved in the coccidiosis-infected sheep treated with Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril compared to the control group, respectively. Additionally, the Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril had fewer oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group, showing similar anti-coccidial effects on days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 78, respectively. Furthermore, Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril treatment altered the structure and composition of gut microbiota, promoting the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, Alistipes, and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroidota, Marinilaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Prevotella. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis further revealed a correlation between the OPG and BWG and gut microorganisms. Collectively, the results indicated that Radix dichroae extract had similar anti-coccidial effects as diclazuril, and could regulate gut microbiota balance in growing lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Shijie Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Lijun Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Zhanming Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yanfeng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Kaili Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Manman Li
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. LTD, Kaifeng, 475317, China
| | - Yingmin Wang
- Henan Zhongyang Animal Husbandry Co. LTD, Kaifeng, 475317, China
| | - Aftab Shaukat
- National Center for International Research on Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (NCIRAGBR), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Senyang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Shucheng Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Sodi I, Martini M, Salari F, Perrucci S. Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections and Environmental Sustainability of the Ovine Sector: Eimeria spp. Infections and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Excretions in Dairy Sheep in Italy. Pathogens 2023; 12:1459. [PMID: 38133342 PMCID: PMC10746012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In sheep farming, gastrointestinal parasites can be responsible for significant reductions in animal health and production. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fecal excretions are the main determining factors for N2O emissions from manure management and may pose other environmental problems, such as the acidification and eutrophication of natural habitats. By using the Mini-FLOTAC technique on fecal samples from sheep of different ages and physiological status from 19 dairy sheep farms in Tuscany (central Italy), gastrointestinal parasite infections were evaluated. The animal N and P fecal contents were also assessed, with the aim of evaluating possible relationships between the identified parasites and the environmental sustainability of the examined farms. The obtained results showed that Eimeria spp. (86.36%) and gastrointestinal strongyle (54.55%) infections are prevalent in the examined farms. Moreover, significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) P and Eimeria oocyst/gram-of-feces (OPG) values were found in fecal samples from animals < 1 year of age, and a significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive correlation resulted between N content and Eimeria OPG in fecal samples from animals in the first month of lactation. The findings from this study suggest for the first time that Eimeria spp. infections may have an impact on the environmental sustainability of sheep farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sodi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (I.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Mina Martini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (I.S.); (M.M.)
- Research Center Nutraceuticals and Food for Health, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Salari
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (I.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (I.S.); (M.M.)
- Research Center Nutraceuticals and Food for Health, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Gutiérrez J, Blasco-Castello JL, Marcos-Santamaría M, Cano-Alsua S, Elvira L, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM. A questionnaire-based survey in Spain provides relevant information to improve the control of ovine coccidiosis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1326431. [PMID: 38125679 PMCID: PMC10730930 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1326431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovine coccidiosis is a widespread intestinal parasitic disease caused by Eimeria spp. Lambs are infected by the ingestion of sporulated oocysts, experiencing diarrhea and low growth rates. Control should be based on measures to reduce infection pressure and stress on the animals as well as on appropriate diagnosis and strategic treatment. To obtain information on how control measures are implemented in the ovine sector in Spain, a questionnaire-based survey was completed in 2022 by 154 veterinarians and 173 farmers working in this sector. Coccidiosis was highlighted as a relevant disease by 34% of the respondents. The period of greatest risk seemed to differ between production systems, being mainly early after weaning (7-15 days after weaning) in meat flocks and feedlots and later (1-2 months after weaning) in dairy flocks. The absence of cleaning and disinfection measures was identified as a risk factor by 51% of the veterinarians, with 22% mentioning overcrowding of animals and 22% indicating that coccidiosis has more incidence in flocks with large number of animals. The use of laboratory diagnosis methods (fecal oocyst count) was unusual in 70 and 84% of the veterinarians and farmers, respectively. Regarding control, dairy flocks usually housed a larger number of animals under intensive conditions, and they implemented more frequently control measures for coccidiosis than meat flocks. Anticoccidial drugs were used in 79% of the flocks, and in 74-82% of them, they were applied based on clinical criteria. Comparing protocols for anticoccidial treatment among different production systems, in meat flocks, anticoccidial drugs were applied more frequently when clinical signs were observed, and coccidiostats were used for less than 28 days compared to dairy flocks. These results highlight the need for improvement in the use of anticoccidial treatments adjusted to the new regulatory framework in the EU, which in turn will rationalize the use of antimicrobial compounds and may help to mitigate the impact of coccidiosis in flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Gutiérrez
- MSD Animal Health, Polígono Industrial El Montalvo, C/Zeppelin, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | | | - Santiago Cano-Alsua
- Computing Services, Research Support Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Elvira
- MSD Animal Health, Polígono Industrial El Montalvo, C/Zeppelin, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Fu Y, Zhang K, Yang M, Li X, Chen Y, Li J, Xu H, Dhakal P, Zhang L. Metagenomic analysis reveals the relationship between intestinal protozoan parasites and the intestinal microecological balance in calves. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:257. [PMID: 37525231 PMCID: PMC10388496 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05877-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A close connection between a protozoan parasite and the balance of the other gut microbes of the host has been demonstrated. The calves may be naturally co-infected with many parasites, and the co-effects of parasites on other intestinal microbes of calves remain unclear. This study aims to preliminarily reveal the relationship between intestinal parasites and other intestinal microbes in calves. METHODS Fecal samples were collected from four calves with bloody diarrhea, four calves with watery diarrhea, and seven normal calves, and the microbial flora of the samples were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. Protozoal parasites were detected in the metagenome sequences and identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, Giardia, Blastocystis, and Entamoeba were detected by metagenomic analysis, and the identified species were Giardia duodenalis assemblage E, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria subspherica, Entamoeba bovis, and Blastocystis ST2 and ST10. Metagenomic analysis showed that the intestinal microbes of calves with diarrhea were disordered, especially in calves with bloody diarrhea. Furthermore, different parasites show distinct relationships with the intestinal microecology. Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and Giardia were negatively correlated with various intestinal bacteria but positively correlated with some fungi. However, Blastocystis and Entamoeba were positively associated with other gut microbes. Twenty-seven biomarkers not only were significantly enriched in bloody diarrhea, watery diarrhea, and normal calves but were also associated with Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Only Eimeria showed a distinct relationship with seven genera of bacteria, which were significantly enriched in the healthy calves. All 18 genera of fungi were positively correlated with Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and Giardia, which were also significantly enriched in calves with bloody diarrhea. Functional genes related to parasites and diseases were found mainly in fungi. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the relationship between intestinal protozoan parasites and the other calf gut microbiome. Different intestinal protozoan parasites have diametrically opposite effects on other gut microecology, which not only affects bacteria in the gut, but also is significantly related to fungi and archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Kaihui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Mengyao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yuancai Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Huiyan Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Pitambar Dhakal
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Celi K, Guzmán L, Rey-Valeirón C. Apicomplexans in Goat: Prevalence of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp. and Risk Factors in Farms from Ecuador. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172224. [PMID: 36077944 PMCID: PMC9454992 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium and Eimeria species are parasites of phylum Apicomplexa, which includes several protozoa affecting animals and humans. In Ecuador, the maintenance of goat health is a matter of utmost importance because it affects the economic welfare of the breeders. N. caninum and T. gondii cause reproductive problems in goats, leading to abortions or weak offspring. Severe diarrhea in kids and delays in growth are due to the Cryptosporidium and Eimeria species. Moreover, T. gondii and Cryptosporidium are zoonotic parasites with serious consequences for human health. The aim of this work was to determine, by serological and parasitological tests, the prevalence of these parasites and the risk factors for goat populations in Southern Ecuador. On some farms, the prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii reached more than 50%; up to 17% of the kids were positive for Cryptosporidium and 90% of the goats were positive for the Eimeria species. The analysis of risk factors revealed differences according to the parasite species. Considering the zoonotic significance of these results, control and prevention measures are essential and constitute a warning to veterinarians and governmental institutions. Abstract Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium and Eimeria cause severe impacts on the productivity of goat herds. The objectives of the present study were to establish the prevalence of these apicomplexans in goat farms from Ecuador; to evaluate a rapid test for Cryptosporidium diagnosis and to identify the risk factors associated with the infections. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information from 24 goat farms from Zapotillo, Garza Real, Cazaderos, Limones and Paletillas parishes in Ecuador. Blood (n = 388) and feces (n = 391) samples were collected. Indirect ELISA and standard parasitological assays were carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii and to detect oocysts of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria. The overall prevalence values of N. caninum and T. gondii were 12.11% and 18.20%, Cryptosporidium spp. and Eimeria spp. oocysts were detected in 10.49% and 89.51% of the total samples. A low correlation value was found between the results obtained by Ziehl-Nielsen and the rapid test. The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that vitamin supplementation, age of diarrhea, frequency of deworming, pasture area, presence of artiodactyls, domestic fowl, administration of sulfas, age group, body condition, abortions, type of pastures and the presence of cattle were risk factors according to the parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Celi
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Maestría en Biotecnología Agropecuaria, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Lucía Guzmán
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (C.R.-V.)
| | - Catalina Rey-Valeirón
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Coro 4101, Venezuela
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (C.R.-V.)
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