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Muñoz-Gómez V, Ma T, Li Y, Rasmussen P, Torgerson PR. Global and regional prediction of coccidiosis and ascaridiosis prevalence in extensive backyard chickens in low-income and middle-income countries. Vet Parasitol 2024; 331:110268. [PMID: 39047535 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110268] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Backyard chickens usually have open housing and scavenge for food, facilitating contact with infective forms of parasites present in the environment and increasing the risk of parasitic infections. Coccidiosis and ascaridiosis are two internal parasites in scavenging chickens that cause production losses to farmers. Prevalence data of these two diseases are scarce in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) but necessary to assess the burden of disease in backyard chickens. This study estimates the clinical prevalence of coccidiosis and ascaridiosis at the country and regional levels in all LMICs using regression imputation methods. Regression models were developed with data of known prevalence of these parasites and using primarily climatic factors as predictors. A binomial random effects model was developed for each disease to impute prevalence. The overall estimated prevalence of coccidiosis was 0.39 (95 % CI: 0.37-0.42), with a higher mean prevalence in tropical countries. The overall estimated prevalence of ascaridiosis was 0.23 (95 % CI: 0.22-0.25) with a higher mean prevalence in countries with tropical, temperate and continental climates. The findings of this study can aid to identify the burdens of coccidiosis and ascaridiosis infections across countries and regions, which can inform disease control plans and, and encourage international alliances to facilitate access to preventive measures, improving animal health and reducing production losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Muñoz-Gómez
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases Programme, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Tian Ma
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Li
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases Programme, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture and Food, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Veterinary Medicine and Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Philip Rasmussen
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases Programme, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul R Torgerson
- Global Burden of Animal Diseases Programme, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Höglund J, Daş G, Tarbiat B, Geldhof P, Jansson DS, Gauly M. Ascaridia galli - An old problem that requires new solutions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 23:1-9. [PMID: 37516026 PMCID: PMC10409999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Reports of Ascaridia galli in laying hens in Europe have increased since the ban on conventional battery cages in 2012. As this parasite is transmitted directly via the faecal-oral route by parasite eggs containing a larva, it is reasonable to assume that the escalating problem is related to the increased exposure now occurring in modern welfare-friendly cage-free housing systems. On many farms, A. galli reappears in subsequent flocks, even though the birds have no access to the outdoors, biosecurity is high and empty houses are cleaned and disinfected during downtime. Since the egg production cycle lasts only ≈80 weeks and recombinant antigen production for helminth vaccines has not yet been solved, the development of a vaccine seems to be an unrealistic option. Therefore, disrupting the life cycle of the parasite by other means, including the strategic use of dewormers, appears to be the key to controlling infection. Of concern is that only one class of anthelmintics is licenced for poultry in Europe and that are usually administered indiscriminately through the birds' drinking water and often too late when the parasite is already established. If current calendar-based parasite control strategies are not changed, there is a risk that resistance to anthelmintics may develop, as has already been demonstrated with nematodes in livestock. We insist that treatments can be more effective and the risk of developing drug resistance can be mitigated if we invest in a better understanding of A. galli responses to more prudent and judicious use of anthelmintics. This review identifies knowledge gaps and highlights aspects of sustainable parasite control that require further research to support commercial egg producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gürbüz Daş
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Behdad Tarbiat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Désirée S Jansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Free University of Bolzano, Department of Animal Science, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy.
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3
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Prevalence and magnitude of gastrointestinal helminth infections in cage-free laying chickens in Australia. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 37:100819. [PMID: 36623907 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Helminth infections have been re-emerging with the growing popularity of free-range and floor-based chicken production systems. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and worm burdens of intestinal helminth infection in cage-free laying chickens in Australia. In an online survey about worm prevalence, a high proportion of respondents reported the detection of Ascaridia galli (77%), followed by tapeworms (69%) and caecal worms (Heterakis gallinarum) (62%), whereas fewer respondents (23%) reported the presence of hair worms (Capillaria spp.) in their flocks. Total worm recovery from 407 laying hens on four farms found that 92.1% of hens harboured one or more helminth parasite with a prevalence of 73 to 100% across farms. Mixed infections were common with 79% of hens harbouring two or more helminth species. The prevalence of nematode species H. gallinarum, A. galli and Capillaria spp. was 87, 82 and 35% respectively. Five cestode species were found with a low individual chicken prevalence (Raillietina tetragona 4.7%, Raillietina echinobothrida 3.2%, Raillietina cesticillus 5.2%, Choanotaenia infundibulum 4.4%, and Hymenolepis cantaniana 4.4%). The hens harboured an average of 71 worms with H. gallinarum having the highest mean burden (45.5 worms/hen) followed by A. galli (22.0 worms/hen), Capillaria spp. (2.7 worms/hen) and cestodes (0.8 worms/hen). The sex ratio (female:male worms) was 1.38:1 for A. galli, and 1.77:1 for H. gallinarum. There was a strong positive correlation between A. galli female worm count and excreta egg count (EECs) (rs = 0.94, P < 0.0001) and also between total nematode worm count and EEC (rs = 0.82, P < 0.0001) in individual hens. When investigating intestinal excreta (n = 10) and caecal excreta (n = 10) of 16 chicken flocks the prevalence of infection with ascarid worms in intestinal and caecal excreta was 71 and 78% respectively and 27% prevalence of Capillaria spp. in intestinal excreta with mean EECs of 407, 404, and 18 eggs/g of excreta (EPG), respectively. These results suggest that most chickens kept in free-range or floor production systems are infected with one or more helminth parasite species. Heavy worm infections would likely affect the production performance and welfare of birds with adverse economic impact. Strategic or tactical anthelmintic treatment with effective anthelmintic could reduce this impact.
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da Silva JT, Alvares FBV, Oliveira CSDM, de Sousa LC, Lima BA, Feitosa TF, Brasil AWDL, Vilela VLR. Prevalence of endoparasites by microscopic analysis in free-range chickens in a Brazilian semiarid region. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e010722. [PMID: 36515318 PMCID: PMC9901881 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diversity of endoparasitic fauna and the risk factors associated with parasite infections in free-range chickens in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Ten municipalities were visited and, in each of them, ten farms, to collect animal feces and apply epidemiological questionnaires. Feces from 417 poultry were used to perform EPG (eggs per gram) and OoPG (oocysts per gram) tests. Prevalences of 40.52% (169/417) and 39.08% (163/417) were observed for nematodes and coccidia, respectively. In 17% (71/417), mixed infections by nematodes and coccidia were observed. Nematodes of Heterakoidea superfamily were present in 100% of the positive samples (169/169), followed by Trichuris spp. (57.3%; 97/169). All the protozoan oocysts observed belonged to the genus Eimeria (100%; 163/163). The variable of presence of drooping wings was considered to be a factor associated with infection by coccidia (odds ratio = 5.412; confidence interval: 1.179-24.848; p = 0.030). It was concluded that there is high prevalence of nematodes and coccidia in free-range chickens in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Better sanitary management measures, with greater hygiene of facilities, together with chemical control of parasites, can improve productivity by reducing the rate of gastrointestinal parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Trajano da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande – UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | | | | | - Luana Carneiro de Sousa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Federal da Paraíba – IFPB, Sousa, PB, Brasil
| | - Brendo Andrade Lima
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Federal da Paraíba – IFPB, Sousa, PB, Brasil
| | - Thais Ferreira Feitosa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Federal da Paraíba – IFPB, Sousa, PB, Brasil
| | | | - Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande – UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto Federal da Paraíba – IFPB, Sousa, PB, Brasil
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5
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Bestman M, van Niekerk T, Göransson L, Ferrante V, Gunnarsson S, Grilli G, Arndt SS, Rodenburg TB. Free-range use and intestinal parasites in organic/free-range laying hens. J APPL POULTRY RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2022.100321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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6
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Shifaw A, Ruhnke I, Elliott T, Sharpe B, Feyera T, Walkden-Brown SW. Ascaridia galli eggs obtained from fresh excreta, worm uteri or worms cultured in artificial media differ in embryonation capacity and infectivity. Vet Parasitol 2022; 310:109792. [PMID: 36054967 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109792] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ascaridia galli infection models use eggs isolated from chicken excreta, worm uteri and worms cultured in artificial media. The aim of this study was to compare the infectivity of A. galli eggs isolated from these sources under two infection regimens. A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was employed to test the infectivity of A. galli eggs from the three sources and two modes of infection (single or trickle infection). One hundred and fifty-six Isa-Brown one day-old cockerels randomly assigned to the six treatment groups (n = 26) were orally infected with embryonated A. galli eggs obtained from the three A. galli egg sources (worm uteri, excreta or eggs shed in vitro) administered either as single dose of 300 eggs at one day-old or trickle infected with 3 doses of 100 eggs over the first week of life. Twenty-two negative control birds remained uninfected. Eggs obtained from cultured worms or excreta exhibited a higher embryonation capacity (P = 0.003) than eggs obtained from worm uteri. There were higher worm establishment (infectivity) rates from embryonated eggs originating from cultured worms and worm uteri compared with eggs obtained from fresh excreta (P < 0.0001). Trickle infection resulted in a significantly higher total worm burden (P = 0.002), establishment rate (P = 0.002) and excreta egg counts (EEC, P = 0.025) than single infection. Worm length was greater in birds infected with embryonated eggs from excreta than from uteri or cultured worms (P < 0.0001). However, mode of infection did not affect worm length (P = 0.719) and weight (P = 0.945). A strong significant positive linear correlation was observed between EECs and female worm counts at 12 weeks of post infection sampling (r = 0.75; P < 0.0001). Body weight of birds was negatively correlated with both worm burden (r = - 0.21; P < 0.01) and EEC (r = - 0.20; P < 0.05) at 12 weeks post infection. In conclusion, our results show that eggs shed by cultured worms or isolated from worm uteri had greater infective capacity than eggs harvested from excreta and that trickle rather than bolus infection resulted in higher worm establishment. These factors should be taken into account when considering artificial infection protocols for A. galli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Shifaw
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
| | - Isabelle Ruhnke
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Timothy Elliott
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | | | - Teka Feyera
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia; Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jigjiga University, P. O. Box 1020, Jigjiga, Ethiopia
| | - Stephen W Walkden-Brown
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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7
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Method optimisation for prolonged laboratory storage of Ascaridia galli eggs. Vet Parasitol 2022; 309:109758. [PMID: 35777188 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Eggs in the infective stage of the chicken nematode Ascaridia galli are often required for in vivo and in vitro studies on this parasite. The reliability of any artificial A. galli infection depends on the viability and embryonation capacity of A. galli eggs. The aim of this study was to determine ideal storage conditions for maximising the viability of A. galli eggs and maintaining viability for the longest period. A 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 factorial experimental design was employed to investigate the effects of storage temperature (4°C or 26°C), storage condition (aerobic or anaerobic), storage medium (water, 0.1 N H2SO4 or 2% formalin) and storage period (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks). The viability of eggs was assessed after eggs in all treatment groups were held aerobically at 26°C for 2 weeks after the storage period to test embryonation capacity. Based on morphological characteristics, they were categorised as undeveloped, developing, vermiform, embryonated or dead. The maintenance of viability during storage at 4°C was optimal under anaerobic conditions while at 26°C it was optimal under aerobic conditions. Anaerobic conditions at 26°C led to a rapid loss of viability while aerobic conditions at 4°C had a less severe negative effect on maintenance of viability. Egg storage in 0.1 N H2SO4 resulted in a significantly higher viability overall (54.7%) than storage in 2% formalin (49.2%) or water (37.3%) (P < 0.0001). Untreated water was the least favourable storage medium when eggs were stored at 26°C while it was a medium of intermediate quality at 4°C. The viability of A. galli eggs decreased significantly with storage time (P < 0.0001) depending on the other factors. The lowest rate of decline was seen with storage of eggs under anaerobic conditions at 4°C or aerobic conditions at 26°C in 0.1 N H2SO4. Eggs in these treatments retained up to 72% of overall viability at 20 weeks with a decline rate of approximately 2% per week with no significant difference between the two. Therefore, this study has clearly revealed opposing aerobic conditions required for prolonged storage of A. galli eggs in the pre-embryonated state at 4°C. It has also identified that 0.1 N H2SO4 provides the best preservation against degradation during storage, particularly at 26°C under aerobic conditions. Achieving strictly anaerobic conditions can be difficult to achieve so storage aerobically at 26°C may be preferred for simplicity.
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8
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Cornell KA, Smith OM, Crespo R, Jones MS, Crossley MS, Snyder WE, Owen JP. Prevalence Patterns for Enteric Parasites of Chickens Managed in Open Environments of the Western United States. Avian Dis 2022; 66:60-68. [DOI: 10.1637/21-00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A. Cornell
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
| | - Olivia M. Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
| | - Rocio Crespo
- Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 98371
| | - Matthew S. Jones
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
| | - Michael S. Crossley
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, DE 19716
| | | | - Jeb P. Owen
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
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9
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Viability and development of Ascaridia galli eggs recovered in artificial media followed by storage under different conditions. J Helminthol 2020; 94:e199. [PMID: 33046154 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x2000084x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Eggs oviposited by Ascaridia galli females in artificial media are commonly used as a source of infective material. We investigated the rate of egg production by cultured mature females (n = 223), and changes in egg viability under different storage and incubation conditions. Eggs recovered after 1, 2 or 3 days of culture were subjected to either (1) storage in water at 4°C (1, 4 or 8 weeks) followed by incubation in 0.1 N H2SO4 at 26°C (2, 4 or 6 weeks); or (2) prolonged storage at 4°C (up to 14 weeks). Egg development and viability was assessed by morphology coupled with a viability dye exclusion test of hatched larvae. Of the 6,044 eggs recovered per mature female 49.2, 38.5 and 12.3% were recovered on days 1, 2 and 3 of worm incubation respectively with similar initial viability (≥99%) between days. Eggs recovered on different days had only minor differences in viability after storage. The prolonged storage period at 4°C significantly affected both viability and embryonation ability resulting in decline in viability of 5.7-6.2% per week. A smaller but significant decline in egg (2.0%) and hatched larval (1.4%) viability per week of incubation at 26°C was also observed. We conclude that storage and incubation conditions, not the day of egg recovery, are the main factors affecting A. galli egg viability. Our findings indicate that under aerobic conditions storage at 26°C may be preferable to 4°C whereas other studies indicate that under anaerobic conditions storage at 4°C is preferable.
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10
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Maurer V, Perler E, Amsler-Kepalaite Z, Bieber A. Ascarid eggs disappear faster from gravel and wood chips than from soil. Br Poult Sci 2020; 62:1-7. [PMID: 32812785 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2020.1812525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
1. Ascarids (Ascaridia galli and Heterakis spp.) are highly prevalent in free-range laying hens. Ascarid eggs survive for long periods in soil, and one preventive measure is to add litter material to areas close to the henhouse. In this study, recovery rates of ascarid eggs from three common litter materials, namely pea gravel, beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies) wood chips were compared to recovery rates from soil. 2. Materials were mixed with faeces containing 1,408 ascarid eggs per g of faeces, placed in plastic fruit boxes and exposed to natural weather conditions in a randomised block design with six replicates per treatment. 3. Numbers of ascarid eggs were quantified at 28 time points over 3.5 years. Ascarid eggs were recovered for over three years from all materials and completely disappeared during the fourth winter of exposure. Time needed to get to a 50% reduction in ascarid eggs did not differ between litter materials and soil (242 to 269 days). A 99% reduction was reached significantly (P < 0.001) earlier in pea gravel (548 days) than in the three other materials, and earlier in the two wood chips (day 682 for beech, day 692 for spruce, P < 0.05) than in soil (1,277 days). 4. Accumulation of ascarid eggs in the area close to the henhouse can be reduced by any of the tested litter materials compared to bare soil. Adding litter to this area is highly recommended for free-range layer farmers in order to reduce numbers of infective ascarid eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Maurer
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL , Frick, Switzerland
| | - E Perler
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL , Frick, Switzerland
| | - Z Amsler-Kepalaite
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL , Frick, Switzerland
| | - A Bieber
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL , Frick, Switzerland
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Sharma N, Hunt PW, Hine BC, Ruhnke I. The impacts of Ascaridia galli on performance, health, and immune responses of laying hens: new insights into an old problem. Poult Sci 2020; 98:6517-6526. [PMID: 31504894 PMCID: PMC8914002 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes are re-emerging in countries where the popularity of free-range poultry production systems is increasing. Amongst all gastrointestinal nematodes, Ascaridia galli is of significant concern due to the parasite's direct life cycle and ability to survive extreme environmental conditions. In laying hens, A. galli parasites have been associated with reduced health, welfare, immunity, and egg production. Direct losses are caused by obstruction and damage of the intestinal tract in hens when high worm burdens are present. These result in reduction in egg production and body weight of infected laying hens, consequently leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Furthermore, heavy infections with A. galli may lead to increased mortality within the flock. Indirect losses are due to suppression of immune system function which can increase susceptibility to secondary infections. Infection with A. galli can also alter nutrient utilization and absorption. Levels of anti- A. galli serum and egg yolk antibodies increase following A. galli infection. Elevated antibodies can be used as an indicator of current or previous infections and therefore can be used as a diagnostic tool. The impact of A. galli on hen health and welfare manifests through the depletion of liver lipid reserves and increased use of energy reserves to mount immune responses against the parasite. This review highlights the variable effects of A. galli infection on the performance, health, egg quality, and emphasizes especially on immune responses of free-range laying hens as well as it evaluates various potential detection methods and preventive and control measures of this parasitic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Sharma
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia.,F. D. McMaster laboratory, Chiswick, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale 2350, Australia
| | - Peter W Hunt
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia.,F. D. McMaster laboratory, Chiswick, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale 2350, Australia
| | - Brad C Hine
- F. D. McMaster laboratory, Chiswick, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale 2350, Australia
| | - Isabelle Ruhnke
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia
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12
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Stehr M, Grashorn M, Dannenberger D, Tuchscherer A, Gauly M, Metges CC, Daş G. Resistance and tolerance to mixed nematode infections in relation to performance level in laying hens. Vet Parasitol 2019; 275:108925. [PMID: 31605937 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Modern chickens have been genetically developed to perform high under optimal conditions. We hypothesized that high-performance is associated with a higher sensitivity to environmental challenges in laying hens. By using nematode infections as an environmental stressor, we assessed performance-level associated host responses in a high (i.e. Lohmann Brown Plus, LB) and in a lower performing, a so-called dual-purpose chicken genotype (i.e. Lohmann Dual, LD). The hens were infected with 1000 eggs of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum at 24 weeks of age. Hen performance parameters, humoral immune responses in plasma and egg yolks and worm burdens were assessed at several occasions over a period of 18 weeks post infection (wpi). While infections had no significant effect on feed intake (P = 0.130) and body weight in both genotypes (P = 0.392), feed conversion efficiency was negatively affected by infections (P = 0.017). Infections reduced both laying rate and egg weight and thereby per capita egg mass in both genotypes (P < 0.05). While laying rate in infected LB hens decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the early infection period (i.e. by 3 wpi), the decrease in LD hens appeared much later (i.e. by 14 wpi). Worm burdens resulting from the experimental infection were not different between the genotypes for both worm species (P > 0.05), whereas LB hens were more susceptible (P < 0.05) to re-infections than LD hens. Changes in humoral immune responses (i.e. ascarid-specific IgY antibodies in plasma and egg yolks) of the two genotypes over time reflected closely the corresponding changes in larval counts of the hens, descending from both experimental and subsequent natural infections in both genotypes. Infections caused a shift in egg size classes, leading to smaller frequency of larger eggs in both genotypes. Infections reduced egg weight (P = 0.018) and led to a reduced fat content in the egg yolks (P = 0.045). The proportion of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially n-6-PUFA, was also lower in egg yolks of the infected hens (P = 0.032). We conclude that tolerance to nematode infections in laying hens is dependent on host-performance level. The impairment in host tolerance was both genotype and time dependent, likely due to differences in genetic programming for production peak and persistency of the two genotypes. The two genotypes exhibited similar levels of resistance after a fully controlled experimental infection, but the high performing hens were more susceptible to subsequent natural infections. Infections negatively affected economically important egg-quality traits, including egg weight, fat content and fatty acid profiles in egg yolks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Stehr
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Michael Grashorn
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 10, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dirk Dannenberger
- Institute of Muscle Biology and Growth, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Universitätsplatz 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Cornelia C Metges
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Gürbüz Daş
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany.
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Dispersion and infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after passage through chicken intestine. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3481-3486. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6045-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractPeriodicity in nematode egg excretion may be of evolutionary origin as it can favour dispersal of the eggs in the environment. We investigated whether egg excretion by Heterakis gallinarum shows a repeatable pattern of periodicity. The faecal egg concentration and total number of eggs excreted within 4-h intervals were significantly affected by the sampling time within 1 day, but remained unaffected by the sampling day or interaction effects. By contrast, the total number of eggs excreted within 24 h did not differ among the 4 days of the study, collectively indicating repeatable egg excretion patterns. Both host feces and parasite egg excretion increased from night to late afternoon, followed by a decrease in the evening, resulting in higher egg excretion during daytime than the dark period. Feces excretion and worm fecundity showed overlapping diurnal rhythms with similarly timed phases, suggesting the existence of synchronicity between the host feces and nematode egg excretion patterns. We conclude that egg excretion by H. gallinarum is synchronized with host feces excretion and is higher during the daytime than during the dark period. This overlaps with the maximum activity of the day-active host and allows a maximal dispersal of the eggs in the environment.
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Thapa S, Thamsborg SM, Wang R, Meyling NV, Dalgaard TS, Petersen HH, Mejer H. Effect of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on soil content of ascarid eggs and infection levels in exposed hens. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:319. [PMID: 29843784 PMCID: PMC5975387 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2898-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia can degrade ascarid (e.g. Ascaridia galli) eggs in agar and soil in vitro. However, it has not been investigated how this translates to reduced infection levels in naturally exposed chickens. We thus tested the infectivity of soil artificially contaminated with A. galli (and a few Heterakis gallinarum) eggs and treated with P. chlamydosporia. Sterilised and non-sterilised soils were used to examine any influence of natural soil biota. METHODS Unembryonated eggs were mixed with sterilised (S)/non-sterilised (N) soil, either treated with the fungus (F) or left as untreated controls (C) and incubated (22 °C, 35 days) to allow eggs to embryonate and fungus to grow. Egg number in soil was estimated on days 0 and 35 post-incubation. Hens were exposed to the soil (SC/SF/NC/NF) four times over 12 days by mixing soil into the feed. On day 42 post-first-exposure (p.f.e.), the hens were euthanized and parasites were recovered. Serum A. galli IgY level and ascarid eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were examined on days -1 and 36 (IgY) or 40 p.f.e. (EPG). RESULTS Egg recovery in SF soil was substantially lower than in SC soil, but recovery was not significantly different between NF and NC soils. SF hens had a mean worm count of 76 whereas the other groups had means of 355-453. Early mature/mature A. galli were recovered from SF hens whereas hens in the other groups harboured mainly immature A. galli. Heterakis gallinarum counts were low overall, especially in SF. The SF post-exposure IgY response was significantly lower while EPG was significantly higher compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Pochonia chlamydosporia was very effective in reducing ascarid egg numbers in sterilised soil and thus worm burdens in the exposed hens. However, reduced exposure of hens shifted A. galli populations toward a higher proportion of mature worms and resulted in a higher faecal egg excretion within the study period. This highlights a fundamental problem in ascarid control: if not all eggs in the farm environment are inactivated, the resulting low level infections may result in higher contamination levels with associated negative long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundar Thapa
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Stig M. Thamsborg
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018 People’s Republic of China
| | - Nicolai V. Meyling
- Section for Organismal Biology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Tina S. Dalgaard
- Section for Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, Building P25, 3334, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Heidi H. Petersen
- Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helena Mejer
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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