Gastro-intestinal parasite infections of Ankole cattle in an unhealthy landscape: An assessment of ecological predictors

Helminth Infections in Cattle and Goats in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, with Focus on Strongyle Nematode Infections

Gastrointestinal helminths are major enteric parasites affecting the health of important livestock ruminants, such as cattle and goats. It is important to routinely survey these animals for helminth infections to allow effective management and control programs to be implemented. A cross-sectional helminth survey carried out in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, revealed the infection rate of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle (n = 157) and goats (n = 117) to be 35.7% and 88%, respectively, by microscopic fecal examination, and a 100% herd prevalence was observed in goats. Eggs of strongyle nematodes, Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Paramphistomum spp., and Moniezia spp. were detected, with a relatively high rate of strongyle nematode infection in both cattle (28.7%) and goats (86.3%). Mixed infections were observed in 14.3% and 35.9% of egg-positive samples from cattle and goats, respectively. Risk factor analysis showed that dairy cattle were 5.1 times more likely to be infected with strongyles than meat cattle. In contrast, meat goats were 9.3 times more likely to be infected with strongyles than dairy goats. The inverse findings in cattle and goats are discussed. Female gender was associated with a higher risk of strongyle infection in goats. DNA sequencing and in-house semi-nested PCR with primers specific to a region in the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were successfully used to identify strongyle genera in randomly selected egg-positive cattle (n = 24) and goat (n = 24) samples. Four strongyle genera, i.e., Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were identified by DNA sequencing. By semi-nested PCR, Cooperia spp. were detected as a major parasite of cattle (70.8%), whereas Haemonchus spp. were abundant in goats (100%). The majority of samples from cattle (58.3%) and goats (95.8%) were found to coinfect with at least two strongyle genera, suggesting that coinfection with multiple strongyle genera was more common than single infection in these animals.

Investigation and molecular identification of Eimeria sp. sampled from captive forest musk deer

Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is an endangered, protected species in China. Intestinal coccidiosis is a significant problem for captive forest musk deer. However, there are few reports on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Eimeria sp. in forest musk deer. We sought to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria sp. in forest musk deer in the Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces in China. We also investigated the molecular characteristics of Eimeria sp. by analyzing the 18S rRNA gene. We collected a total of 328 fecal samples from forest musk deer on seven farms throughout the Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces. We extracted this parasite’s DNA and used this as a template for nested PCR amplification. The 18S rRNA gene fragment was associated with the plasmid vector, and these products were introduced into Escherichia coli (DH5α). The cultured bacterial solution was used as a PCR reaction template for identification purposes. We collected 328 fecal samples from forest musk deer in Lixian (n = 54), Maoxian (n = 52), Ma’erkang (n = 49), Dujiangyan (n = 55), Hanyuan (n = 41), Luding (n = 36) and Weinan (n = 41). One hundred ninety-eight (60.37%) fecal samples tested positive for Eimeria sp. . In our analysis of the 18S rRNA gene we found 34 types of Eimeria sp. with a similarity of 90.5–100%. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the parasite’s 18S rRNA gene sequence. Our findings indicated that the Eimeria sp. that parasitized the intestinal tract of forest musk deer was closely related to Eimeria alabamensis from Bos taurus and Eimeria ahsata from Ovis aries. To the best of our knowledge, ours was the first investigation and molecular identification of Eimeria sp. sampled from captive forest musk deer in China. Our results provide epidemiological data for the monitoring and prevention of Eimeria sp. in captive forest musk deer.

Lamb's Eimeria infections raised in a steppic region and their impacts on clinical indicators (FAMACHA© and Disco)

A total of 290 lambs in 29 small flocks were studied from October to January 2020, conducted in a semi-extensive rearing system. The objective was to identify by the microscopic morphology of oocysts the Eimeria species that infect lambs in a steppe region of eastern Algeria, as well as to evaluate on these parasites two clinical indicators of diarrhea (Disco) and anemia (FAMACHA©) used in targeted selective treatments against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). This present work completes the previous evaluations carried out in steppe conditions in our laboratory on GIN and cestodes. All these enteric parasites can influence these indicators. They constitute by their morbidity and their presence, alone or concomitantly, a factor determining or aggravating diarrhea, the main problem of sheep farming. The prevalence of Eimeria sp. oocysts was 56.2%. Eight species were identified: E. intricata (50.3%), E. bakuensis (43.6%), E. ovinoidalis (27.6%), E. crandallis (23.9%), E. parva (20.9%), E. weybridgensis (13.5%), E. pallida (9.2%) and E. ashata (6.7%). Unlike GIN and Cestodes where only Disco was affected, E. ovinoidalis was strongly affecting both indicators, while E. crandalis was slightly less affecting. This confirms the pathogenicity of these two species and suggests that their presence should also be taken into consideration.

COMPARISON OF NATURALLY OCCURRING EIMERIA INFECTIONS IN ALPINE AND NERA DI VERZASCA GOAT BREEDS REARED IN A SUB-ALPINE ENVIRONMENT

The present study aimed to describe the natural trend of Eimeria spp. oocysts shedding in different breeds of adult goats raised in a sub-Alpine ecosystem by quantitative copromicroscopic analysis. A 1-yr long longitudinal study was planned in a goat herd composed of non-native (Alpine) and autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca) breeds. FLOTAC double technique was implemented to analyze individual fecal samples collected monthly from 2 groups (non-native and native) of 10 goats each. A generalized linear mixed model, in which each goat was included as a random intercept effect, identified 4 predictors of logarithmically transformed oocysts per gram shedding: the number of days from parturition (F = 27.744; P < 0.001), the interaction between the goat breed and the number of days from parturition (F = 8.407; P = 0.004), the interaction between the number of days from parturition and the number of parturitions (F = 6.371; P = 0.012), and the interaction between the monthly rainfalls and temperatures (F = 4.536; P = 0.023). These results indicate that the physiological status (number of days from parturition) of adult goats and its interaction with other individual features (number of parturitions and breed) can affect Eimeria spp. oocysts shedding. Besides, a combination of climatic variables can pose a risk for Eimeria spp. infection in goats reared in the sub-Alpine environment.

A POTENTIAL ZOONOTIC PARASITE: CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM TRANSMISSION IN RATS, PIGS AND HUMANS IN WEST LOMBOK, INDONESIA

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidium is a neglected zoonotic disease, but with the expansion of the human community into the animal environment, its incidence is increasing. Animals such as rats and pigs can act as intermediate hosts and transmit Cryptosporidium to humans due to their proximity. Transmission occurs due to the ability of Cryptosporidium to survive in any new host. The research aimed to identify and describe the transmission of Cryptosporidium from animals to humans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research was a cross sectional study and samples were collected from 84 rats caught in residential areas, 205 pigs, and 438 humans in West Lombok. Fecal samples were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing to isolate the presence of Cryptosporidium, and identify the genetic similarity of the parasites found in rats and pigs with those that infect humans.

RESULTS

The PCR results found Cryptosporidium parvum in 4.76% (4/84) in rats; 6.34% 13/205) in pigs; and 0.91% (4/438) in humans. The sequencing results showed genetic kinship of C. parvum in rats, pigs, and humans. Based on sequence confirmation from Gene Banks and edited using ClustalW with MEGA X software, there are genetic similarities between Cryptosporidium isolates from West Lombok and C. suis isolates of cattle from Uganda and C. suis isolates of pigs from Slovakia.

CONCLUSION

There are genetic similarities of Cryptosporidium in animals and humans, requiring that the Public Health programs in those contaminated areas must receive priority attention to prevent further transmission of these potentially fatal parasites.

Gastrointestinal parasite infections in fighting bulls in South Thailand

Background and Aim:

Bullfighting is booming in South Thailand, attracting tourists, and stimulating local economies. The bulls are well raised and practiced, but in many cases, the owners lack knowledge and understanding of the prevention of animal diseases, including parasitic infections. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infection in fighting bulls.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 1501 fecal samples were collected from bulls aged 2-5 years visiting the animal hospital of Prince of Songkla University during 2016-2019. The formalin ethylether concentration method was used to detect GI parasites in feces.

Results:

The overall rate of GI parasite infection was 94.27%. Rumen fluke eggs were detected in 97.17% of all infected animals, followed in prevalence by strongyles (26.29%), Eurytrema spp. (2.83%), Fasciola spp. (2.47%), Trichuris spp. (0.35%), and Moniezia spp. (0.14%). Two protozoan genera were identified, Balantidium coli (6.64%) and Eimeria spp. (3.53%). Coinfection was observed in 33.99%. The five most common coinfections were rumen fluke with strongyles (20.85%), B. coli (4.66%), Eimeria spp. (1.55%), Eurytrema spp. (1.34%), and Fasciola spp. (1.06%).

Conclusion:

In addition to high GI parasite infection rates, zoonotic parasites were observed. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers should follow good sanitation and prevention practices to control parasitic infections in bulls, and proper hygienic precautions should be taken by the owners. Implementation of deworming programs using appropriateanthelmintic drugs as well as rotation of anthelmintic drug that have different chemical agent to prevent further drug resistance should be considered. The promotion of bull health management is highly recommended to protect humans from zoonotic diseases.

Strongylid infection varies with age, sex, movement and social factors in wild African elephants

Comparing parasitic infection among individuals of wildlife populations can provide insight into factors that influence wildlife disease ecology. Strongylids are parasitic worms that infect the intestinal tract of vertebrates, and infection with strongylids can be approximated by counting strongylid eggs in dung samples. Here we tested for correlations between strongylid egg counts and 18 different individual characteristics, environmental and social factors in individually known wild African elephants. We counted more eggs in the dung samples of younger elephants and females relative to mature elephants and males. We also found that elephants spending more time outside reserves shed more strongylid eggs than elephants that were more often within reserves. Elephants that were less socially integrated, as measured by how much aggression they received from other elephants, shed fewer strongylid eggs; relatedly, socially isolated orphan elephants that had left their family shed fewer strongylid eggs than elephants that remained with their family. Our results suggest that landscapes altered by livestock grazing and social disruption caused by humans may impact parasitic infection in wildlife.

First database of the spatial distribution of Eimeria species of cattle, sheep and goats in Mexico

Ruminant coccidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by parasites of the genus Eimeria. Environmental and climatic factors are relevant for the development, survival, and transmission of coccidiosis because Eimeria oocysts are able to survive in the environment for several weeks or months in favorable conditions of moderate heat and moisture. The aim of the present study was to georeference, for the first time, the locations of Eimeria occurrences in Mexico from 1961 to 2018. A dataset was created for 3414 reports of Eimeria occurrences in cattle, sheep, and goats in Mexico. Twelve species of Eimeria that infect cattle were recorded, 11 Eimeria species of sheep are present in Mexico, and eight species of goats are geographically distributed in the country. In the current findings, it has been observed that Eimeria colonizes mainly the temperate semihumid, temperate humid, warm humid, and warm semihumid areas during spring and summer in animals younger than 1 year of age. Macroenvironmental variables like temperature and rainfall influence the prevalence of Eimeria in cattle, sheep, and goats, and for some species, the rearing system, facility type, farm size, and altitude affect the occurrence of this parasite. Results may support future studies aimed at reducing the disease prevalence of the parasite in endemic regions of Mexico. The use of recorded cases and climate variables yields a more comprehensive perspective of the epidemiology of eimeriosis, which would be difficult to infer from laboratory studies alone.

A survey of gastrointestinal parasites of goats in a goat market in Kathmandu, Nepal

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in goats are predominant around the world. They may be the underlying cause of the pathological and immunological consequences leading to significant economic losses of the goat industry. The main aim of the current research was to reveal the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoa, trematodes, and nematodes in the fecal samples of goats in the goat market in Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 400 goat fecal specimens were purposively collected from the goat market, and they were processed by direct wet mount, sedimentation, floatation techniques, and acid-fast staining, and were observed under the compound microscope. Out of a total 400 fecal samples, 349 (87.25%) were found to be infected with GI parasites among which Eimeria (80.75%), Strongyle (59.25%), Trichuris (29.75%), Strongyloides (28.75%), Moniezia (21.75%), Entamoeba (20%), Fasciola (10.25%), Balantidium (7.75%), Cryptosporidium (4%), Capillaria (1.75%), Trichomonas (1.25%), Ascaris (1.0%), Cyclospora (1%), Blastocystis (0.75%), Giardia (0.5%), and Paramphistomum (0.5%) were reported. GI parasites like protozoa and helminthes were widely distributed in the goats brought for the meat purposes in Kathmandu Valley, showing a high proportion of the goats were having higher risks of morbidity and mortality around the country.