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Maurizio A, Perrucci S, Tamponi C, Scala A, Cassini R, Rinaldi L, Bosco A. Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience. Parasitology 2023; 150:1105-1118. [PMID: 37039466 PMCID: PMC10801368 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminants and cause significant costs due to production losses. Moreover, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe and poses a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock farming. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes and liver- and rumen-flukes in Italian small ruminants are outdated and fragmentary. However, anthelmintics are commonly used to control these infections and often without prior diagnosis. Compared to other European countries, few reports of AR in small ruminants against levamisole, ivermectin and benzimidazoles have been published in Italy, but recent studies suggest that this phenomenon is spreading. Increased and integrated research efforts in developing innovative approaches to control helminth infections and AR are needed and must be tailored to the peculiarities of each context in order to be effectively implemented. This manuscript provides an overview on helminth prevalence and distribution, sustainable treatment strategies and integrated control approaches in small ruminants in Italy. The implementation of targeted treatments and targeted selective treatments is discussed based on different parameters, such as fecal egg count, degree of anaemia (FAMACHA© method), milk production and body condition score. In addition, several Italian studies have also investigated the implementation of alternative strategies such as the use of different natural bioactive compounds or genetic selection for resistance and resilience to helminth infections. These concrete solutions for helminth management in small ruminant farms in the country are reported and discussed, representing a valid example for other Mediterranean countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maurizio
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
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Sabatini GA, de Almeida Borges F, Claerebout E, Gianechini LS, Höglund J, Kaplan RM, Lopes WDZ, Mitchell S, Rinaldi L, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Steffan P, Woodgate R. Practical guide to the diagnostics of ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes, liver fluke and lungworm infection: interpretation and usability of results. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:58. [PMID: 36755300 PMCID: PMC9906602 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05680-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostics of ruminant parasites remains one of the cornerstones for parasite control best practices. Field veterinarians have several techniques at their disposal (fecal egg count, coproculture, FAMACHA®, plasma pepsinogen, ELISA-Ostertagia, ELISA-Fasciola, Baermann and ELISA-Lungworm) for the identification and/or quantification of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and liver fluke infecting small ruminants and cattle. Each of these diagnostic tools has its own strengths and weaknesses and is more appropriate for a specific production operation and/or age of the animal (young and adults). This review focuses on the usability and interpretation of the results of these diagnostic tools. The most advanced technical information on sampling, storage, advantages and limitations of each tool for different types of production operations and animal categories is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Johan Höglund
- grid.6341.00000 0000 8578 2742Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sian Mitchell
- The former Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Perth, UK
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XUniversity of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Pedro Steffan
- Fiel & Steffan Consultores Asociados, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Robert Woodgate
- grid.1010.00000 0004 1936 7304University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
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Relationships between Body Condition Score (BCS), FAMACHA©-Score and Haematological Parameters in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and Llamas (Lama glama) Presented at the Veterinary Clinic. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092517. [PMID: 34573483 PMCID: PMC8469494 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alpacas and llamas are increasingly presented at the veterinary clinic in Germany. Owners often notice too late when their animal is emaciated or anaemic. Emaciation can be detected by checking the so-called body condition score (BCS). An indication of anaemia can be provided directly by the FAMACHA©-score (FS), which has been adopted from small ruminants. There is still little information on both scores for alpacas and llamas, so a retrospective evaluation of data from the veterinary clinic was carried out. More than half of the animals admitted to the clinic were too lean and more than one in ten alpacas or one in five llamas showed clinical signs of anaemia. Both scores were compared with the findings from the animals’ blood counts, which showed that poor nutritional status was associated with anaemia and shifts in inflammatory cells. Regular monitoring of BCS and FS is therefore important in alpacas and llamas to detect emaciation and anaemia in time. Abstract South American camelids (SAC) are being more and more presented at the veterinary Clinics in Germany. A bad nutritional condition, which can be easily categorized using a body condition score (BCS) of the animals, is often not noticed by the owners. Further anaemia is also often only detected in an advanced stage in SAC. Clinical detection of anaemia can be performed by assessing the FAMACHA©-score (FS), that is adapted from small ruminants. So far, there is only little information available about BCS and FS in SAC. In this study, both clinical scores were assessed in alpacas and llamas presented at the veterinary clinic and compared with the haematological parameters from the animals. The data were extracted retrospectively from the animals’ medical records and compared statistically. More than half of the alpacas (60%) and llamas (70%) had a BCS < 3, while 12% of the alpacas and 21% of the llamas had a FS > 2. A decreased BCS was associated with a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, as well as an increase in FS and neutrophils. BCS and FS should be assessed regularly in SAC to detect emaciation and anaemia in time.
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Arsenopoulos KV, Fthenakis GC, Katsarou EI, Papadopoulos E. Haemonchosis: A Challenging Parasitic Infection of Sheep and Goats. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020363. [PMID: 33535656 PMCID: PMC7912824 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper reviews the challenges about haemonchosis-a significant and common parasitic infection of small ruminants. Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic parasite that localises in the abomasum of affected animals and exerts its pathogenicity by blood-sucking activity, adversely affecting the health and productivity of animals. The first challenge is the uneven distribution of the infection globally, this being more prevalent in tropical and subtropical and warm temperate and summer rainfall regions than in cool and cold temperate and arid regions; hence, this leads in differences in the approaches required for its control. Another challenge is the widespread presence of Haemonchus strains resistant to the various anthelmintics available: Benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles, macrocyclic lactones, closantel and monepantel, which makes the control of the infection difficult. The third challenge refers to the difficulty of diagnosing the disease, given that field evidence can provide suspicion about the infection, which needs to be subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests through parasitological or molecular techniques. The final challenge relates to the difficulties in the control of the infection and the necessity to use pharmaceutical products cautiously and with a planned approach, to avoid further development of anthelmintic resistance, also given that use of a recently licenced vaccine is not widespread. In conclusion, at the moment, we should be concerned, but not worried, about this infection, and apply correctly the appropriate health management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos V. Arsenopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - George C. Fthenakis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.C.F.); (E.I.K.)
| | - Eleni I. Katsarou
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.C.F.); (E.I.K.)
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Correspondence:
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Schwarz K, Bapst B, Holinger M, Thüer S, Schleip I, Werne S. Potentials of using milk performance data and FAMACHA score as indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment in Lacaune dairy sheep in Switzerland. Vet Parasitol 2020; 4:100030. [PMID: 32984809 PMCID: PMC7494794 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) is one approach to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance. Its success is closely linked to the correct identification of animals in need of treatment. In dairy goats it has been proposed to use milk yield as TST indicator and to focus treatments on high yielding dairy goats. In dairy sheep the relationship between milk performance and infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between milk yield and GIN infection in dairy sheep and based on this, to evaluate milk performance data as a potential TST indicator. Overall 1159 Lacaune ewes of 15 dairy sheep farms in Switzerland were included in the study. The ewes were phenotyped once between August and December 2019, when they were at least 70 days in milk (DIM). Individual faecal samples were taken from every ewe to determine the nematode egg concentration per gram faeces (EPG). In addition, the clinical parameters FAMACHA score and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Linear mixed models were used to analyse the effects of the collected parameters on EPG. EPG increased significantly with increasing test day milk yields (P = 0.002), indicating high yielding ewes to be less resistant to GIN infections than low yielding ewes. The effect was most pronounced in earlier lactation but remained within a moderate range. Overall, our results indicated the potential of using milk yield data of rather early lactation as TST indicator in dairy sheep. On farms with predominantly H. contortus the combination with FAMACHA might improve the correct identification of highly infected ewes, as FAMACHA was correlated with EPG (r = 0.37, P < 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schwarz
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstrasse 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
| | - Beat Bapst
- Qualitas AG, Chamerstrasse 56, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
| | - Mirjam Holinger
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Susann Thüer
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Inga Schleip
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstrasse 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
| | - Steffen Werne
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
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Silva LP, Debiage RR, Bronzel-JÚnior JL, Silva RMGDA, -Peixoto ECTM. In vitro anthelmintic activity of Psidium guajava hydroalcoholic extract against gastro-intestinal sheep nematodes. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2020; 92:e20190074. [PMID: 33084758 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202020190074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Tanniferous plants have been used for ruminants verminosis control and represent a possibility to minimize the pharmacological resistance against conventional antiparasitics. This study aimed to evaluate the antihelminthic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of guava tree (PgHA). It was performed the hatchability and larval migration inhibition assays to evaluate PgHA at the following concentrations 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1 and the control treatments. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined by phytochemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances tests. It was also determinated total protein, intracellular H2O2 and antioxidant activity of enzimes: glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase. PgHA was able to inhibit both hatchability and larval migration, but only hatchability inhibition presented dose-dependent pattern. The antioxidant activity was demonstrated by linear regression with IC50 corresponding to 534.02 μg mL-1. The antiparasitic mechanism occurred through pro-oxidative activity by the increase of total proteins, intracellular H2O2 and the lipid peroxidation products, as well as the increase of the enzymes above related. Thus, the PgHA showed antiparasitic activity in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana P Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Departamento de Produção Animal, Laboratório de Controle Parasitológico Animal em Agroecológico e Sistemas Orgânicos de Produção, s / n, Rodovia BR - 369, 86360-000 Bandeirantes, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafael R Debiage
- Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Departamento de Produção Animal, Laboratório de Controle Parasitológico Animal em Agroecológico e Sistemas Orgânicos de Produção, s / n, Rodovia BR - 369, 86360-000 Bandeirantes, PR, Brazil
| | - JoÃo L Bronzel-JÚnior
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Química, Av. Prof. Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, 14800-900 Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regildo M G DA Silva
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências e Línguas de Assis, Departamento de Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Fitoterapia e Produtos Naturais, Av. Dom Antônio, 2100, 19806-900 Assis, SP, Brazil
| | - Erika C T Mello -Peixoto
- Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Departamento de Produção Animal, Laboratório de Controle Parasitológico Animal em Agroecológico e Sistemas Orgânicos de Produção, s / n, Rodovia BR - 369, 86360-000 Bandeirantes, PR, Brazil
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Health status of non-descript goats travelling long distances to water source. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 52:1507-1511. [PMID: 31691914 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-02094-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the influence of distance to water source on health status of non-descript weaners and does. The goats were situated at 0.25, 0.75, 1.25, 1.75, 2.25, 2.75 and 3.25 km from the Pongola river. Body condition score (BCS) declined faster in male weaners than female weaners as the distance to water source increased (P < 0.001). The rate of decline in BCS was similar between does and female weaners as the distance to water source increased (P > 0.05). Rectal temperature (RT) of all goat classes increased with an increase in distance to water source (P < 0.05). Rate of change in RT was higher in female weaners than male weaners and does as the distance to water source increased (P < 0.01). The increase in FAMACHA scores was higher in male weaners than does and female weaners as the distance to water source increased (P < 0.05). Does had the smallest drop in packed cell volume (PCV) than female and male weaners as the distance to water source increased (P > 0.05). All goat classes were severely affected by the distance to water source; however, the effects were more adverse in male weaners than in female weaners and does. Body condition score and PCV declined, whereas RT and FAMACHA increased with an increase in distance travelled by goats to the water source. It can be concluded that both male and female weaners were more susceptible to increasing distance to water source.
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Esteban-Ballesteros M, Sanchis J, Gutiérrez-Corbo C, Balaña-Fouce R, Rojo-Vázquez FA, González-Lanza C, Martínez-Valladares M. In vitro anthelmintic activity and safety of different plant species against the ovine gastrointestinal nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta. Res Vet Sci 2019; 123:153-158. [PMID: 30677615 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity and safety of methanolic and aqueous extracts of 9 plants against the ovine GIN Teladorsagia circumcincta. Initially the ovicidal efficacy of all extracts was tested at 50 mg/ml and at 1%, this last concentration for the methanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum, by the Egg Hatch Assay. In those extracts with efficacy higher than 95%, the effective concentration required to inhibit 50% of egg hatching (EC50) and their cytotoxicity, as the lethal dose 50 (LC50), was also measured. The aqueous extracts of Aesculus hippocastanum, Isatis tinctoria, Chelidonium majus, E. cardamomum and Sisymbrium irio, with EC50 values ranging 1.30-2.88 mg/ml, and the aqueous extract of Jasminum polyanthum with a value of 6.41 mg/ml, showed the highest activities. The aqueous extract of J. polyanthum was the safest extract, followed by methanolic extract of E. cardamomum and aqueous extract of S. irio, all of them with a Selective Index higher than 1. According to our results, there is no correlation between the amount of total phenols or total tannins with the anthelmintic activity of the plants tested. Although results need to be interpreted with caution, as in vitro activity may not automatically translate into in vivo efficacy, those extracts with SI equal or higher than 1 and EC50 equal or lower than 6 mg/ml, could be taken into account for being used subsequently as feed or food additives in infected sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Esteban-Ballesteros
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros 24346, León, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain
| | - Jaime Sanchis
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de la República (Regional Norte), Salto, Uruguay
| | - Camino Gutiérrez-Corbo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain
| | - Francisco A Rojo-Vázquez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros 24346, León, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain
| | - Camino González-Lanza
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros 24346, León, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros 24346, León, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain.
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Cloete S, Mpetile Z, Dzama K. Genetic parameters involving subjective FAMACHA© scores and faecal worm egg counts on two farms in the Mediterranean region of South Africa. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vasileiou NGC, Fthenakis GC, Amiridis GS, Athanasiou LV, Birtsas P, Chatzopoulos DC, Chouzouris TM, Giannakopoulos A, Ioannidi KS, Kalonaki SN, Katsafadou AI, Kyriakis CS, Mavrogianni VS, Papadopoulos E, Spyrou V, Valiakos G, Venianaki AP, Billinis C. Experiences from the 2014 outbreak of bluetongue in Greece. Small Rumin Res 2016; 142:61-68. [PMID: 32288210 PMCID: PMC7126986 DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective of this paper was to review relevant work and to present a general account of the bluetongue outbreak, which occurred in Greece in 2014. In total, 2895 outbreaks of the disease have been reported by the veterinary authorities of Greece; sheep, goats and cattle were affected with officially reported morbidity rates of 11.0%, 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively. No vaccinations were allowed and conservative measures were implemented to attempt to limit the disease, which at the end had expanded throughout the country. In field investigations, a significantly higher bluetongue morbidity rate (27.5%) in sheep has been reported. During that work, clinical anaemia was encountered, which was characterised as macrocytic, hypochromic, regenerative and non-haemolytic. Other investigations, which are reviewed in this paper, have described an outbreak of Citrobacter freundii-associated enteritis in newborn kids, offspring of goats subclinically infected with Bluetongue virus, increased rate of early embryonic deaths, reduced conception rates, increased incidence risk of mastitis and reduced milk yield in herds of subclinically-infected cattle and detection of the virus from hunter-harvested tissue samples of roe-deer. In 2015, vaccines against the disease have been licenced; vaccinations started in May 2015. Then, in 2015, only one outbreak of the disease was confirmed, which could have been the result of a combination of reasons acting concurrently to prevent further cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G C Vasileiou
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - G C Fthenakis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - G S Amiridis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - L V Athanasiou
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - P Birtsas
- Technological Education Institute of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - T M Chouzouris
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | | | - K S Ioannidi
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - S N Kalonaki
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - A I Katsafadou
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - C S Kyriakis
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - V S Mavrogianni
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - E Papadopoulos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - V Spyrou
- Technological Education Institute of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - G Valiakos
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - A P Venianaki
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - C Billinis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
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11
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Arece-García J, López-Leyva Y, González-Garduño R, Torres-Hernández G, Rojo-Rubio R, Marie-Magdeleine C. Effect of selective anthelmintic treatments on health and production parameters in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. Trop Anim Health Prod 2015; 48:283-7. [PMID: 26563269 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0947-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A study was conducted from December to April 2013, with the aim of evaluating a system of selective antiparasitic treatments using the FAMACHA© color chart compared with a conventional suppressive deworming system every 30 days in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. For the study, 54 ewes were used. They were randomly divided into two groups: FAMACHA and chemical treatments. The ewes in the first group received selective treatment depending on the ocular mucosa coloration (FAMACHA) and body condition score (BCS), while in the second group (chemical) all the animals remained under routine deworming every 30 days. Fecal nematode egg counts, proportion of third-stage trichostrongylid larvae, body condition, coloration of the ocular mucosa, and packed cell volume in the ewes were determined, while in lambs only body weight (BW) was recorded. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in any of the studied variables between groups; however, the use of antiparasitic drugs was reduced during the experimental period in the FAMACHA group and no deaths of lambs or ewes were recorded. The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Arece-García
- Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", Universidad de Matanzas, Central España Republicana, Matanzas, Cuba.
| | - Yoel López-Leyva
- Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", Universidad de Matanzas, Central España Republicana, Matanzas, Cuba
| | | | | | - Rolando Rojo-Rubio
- Centro Universitario UAEM Temascaltepec, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Temascaltepec, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Carine Marie-Magdeleine
- Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, INRA Antilles Guyane, Domaine de Duclos Prise d'Eau, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe
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Olah S, van Wyk JA, Wall R, Morgan ER. FAMACHA©: A potential tool for targeted selective treatment of chronic fasciolosis in sheep. Vet Parasitol 2015. [PMID: 26223154 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica causes considerable damage to the health, welfare and productivity of ruminants in temperate areas, and its control is challenged by anthelmintic resistance. Targeted selective treatment (TST) is an increasingly established strategy for preserving anthelmintic efficacy in grazing livestock, yet no practical indicators are available to target individuals for treatment against fluke infection. This paper evaluates the FAMACHA(©) system, a colour chart for the non-invasive detection of anaemia in small ruminants, for this purpose. FAMACHA(©) scores were collected from 288 sheep prior to slaughter during the winter period, when fluke infections were largely mature, and condemned livers were recovered and adult flukes extracted. Average FAMACHA(©) score was significantly higher (=paler conjunctivae) in animals whose livers were condemned (3.6, n=62) than in those whose livers were not condemned (2.1). The number of adult flukes recovered ranged from 2 to 485, and was positively correlated with FAMACHA(©) score (r(2)=0.54, p<0.001). Packed cell volume was correlated negatively with both FAMACHA(©) score (n=240, r=0.23, p<0.001) and fluke number (r=0.24, p<0.001). Nematode faecal egg count (FEC) did not correlate with FAMACHA(©) score, and selective treatment of individual sheep with FAMACHA(©) scores above 2 or 3 would have preserved between 27 and 100% of nematodes in refugia on the basis of FEC, depending on group and the threshold used for treatment. FAMACHA(©) holds promise as a tool for selective treatment of sheep against adult F. hepatica, in support of refugia-based control of fluke and nematode infections, and further field evaluation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Olah
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences and School of Veterinary Science, Bristol Life Sciences Building, 24, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Jan A van Wyk
- University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.
| | - Richard Wall
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences and School of Veterinary Science, Bristol Life Sciences Building, 24, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Eric R Morgan
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences and School of Veterinary Science, Bristol Life Sciences Building, 24, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
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Medina-Pérez P, Ojeda-Robertos N, Reyes-García M, Cámara-Sarmiento R, Torres-Acosta J. Evaluation of a targeted selective treatment scheme to control gastrointestinal nematodes of hair sheep under hot humid tropical conditions. Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Charlier J, Morgan ER, Rinaldi L, van Dijk J, Demeler J, Höglund J, Hertzberg H, Van Ranst B, Hendrickx G, Vercruysse J, Kenyon F. Practices to optimise gastrointestinal nematode control on sheep, goat and cattle farms in Europe using targeted (selective) treatments. Vet Rec 2015; 175:250-5. [PMID: 25217603 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Due to the development of anthelmintic resistance, there have been calls for more sustainable nematode control practices. Two important concepts were introduced to study and promote the sustainable use of anthelmintics: targeted treatments (TT), where the whole flock/herd is treated based on knowledge of the risk, or parameters that quantify the severity of infection; and targeted selective treatments (TST), where only individual animals within the grazing group are treated. The aim of the TT and TST approaches is to effectively control nematode-induced production impacts while preserving anthelmintic efficacy by maintaining a pool of untreated parasites in refugia. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies that assess the use of TT/TST against gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants and investigate the economic consequences, feasibility and knowledge gaps associated with TST. We conclude that TT/TST approaches are ready to be used and provide practical benefits today. However, a major shift in mentality will be required to make these approaches common practice in parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Charlier
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - E R Morgan
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset BS40 5DU, UK
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - J van Dijk
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK
| | - J Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag Strasse 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - J Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7063, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - H Hertzberg
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - B Van Ranst
- Dairy DataWarehouse, Uniform-Agri BV, Oostersingel 23, Assen, The Netherlands
| | - G Hendrickx
- Avia-GIS, Agro-Veterinary Information and Analysis, Risschotlei 33, 2980 Zoersel, Belgium
| | - J Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - F Kenyon
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
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