Eimeria infections in goats in Southern Portugal

Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminant Autochthonous Breeds from Centre Region of Portugal-A Cross Sectional Study

The production of small ruminant autochthonous breeds in the Centre region of Portugal is practiced in a semi-extensive husbandry system, exposing animals to parasitic infections. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and identify risk factors. Fecal samples of 203 goats and 208 sheep from 30 herds were collected per rectum and subjected to the modified Baermann test. The overall prevalence of infection was 57.7%, significantly higher in goats (95.6%) than in sheep (20.7%) (p < 0.001). According to the binary logistic regression model, sheep dewormed with albendazole, mebendazole plus closantel, or ivermectin plus clorsulon presented a risk of Protostrongylidae infection 29.702, 7.426, or 8.720 times higher, respectively, than those dewormed with eprinomectin. Additionally, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in 307 fecal samples using Mini-FLOTAC®. The overall prevalence of infection was 86.3%, also significantly higher in goats (93.2%) than in sheep (79.9%) (p < 0.001). Strongyle-type eggs were the most frequently identified, both in sheep (69.8%) and goats (87.8%), followed by Eimeria oocysts (40.3% in sheep and 68.9% in goats). Considering the high prevalence and the burden of lungworm parasitic infection, it is urgent to determine its economic impact and the repercussions in animal health in the Centre region of Portugal to establish appropriate therapeutic guidelines.

Occurrence of Eimeria spp. in Wayúu goat herds in the Municipality of Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia

The department of La Guajira is considered the region with the largest goat population in Colombia. The disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria can result in significant economic losses in goat production, threatening the region's food security. The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence of coccidiosis produced by Eimeria spp. in pools of fecal samples of young and adult goats belonging to 12 indigenous communities in the municipality of Maicao, La Guajira. The results showed the presence of eight different species of Eimeria spp. (E. alijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. hirci, E. arloingi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. aspheronica and E. christenseni) differentiated by their morphological characteristics, in addition to the estimation of the parasite load in each fecal pool. In conclusion, this study is the first to report the occurrence of different species of Eimeria spp. in goats located in the department of La Guajira, Colombia.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in animal hosts and potential implications to animal and human health in Edo, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Intestinal parasites in livestock cause huge economic setbacks. Moreover, these parasites can threaten human health when also present in companion animals.

OBJECTIVES

The study examined the prevalence and burden of intestinal parasites among roaming/migrating animals (goats, sheep, cattle, and dogs) to provide insights into the risk of potential human parasitic infections.

METHODS

A total of 1,741 fecal samples from goats (n = 920), sheep (n = 335), cattle (n = 230) and dogs (n = 256) were obtained randomly across 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. The parasite samples were recovered and identified under a microscope. Molecular tools were used to identify Toxocara spp.

RESULTS

Eighteen different parasites were isolated. Among the different groups of parasites observed, nematodes occurred the most, followed by protozoans. Among nematodes, Haemonchus was most prevalent in goats (28.04%) and sheep (29.85%), while Strongyloides (10.86%) and Bunostomum (8.69%) were relatively high in cattle. Strongyloides (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), and Toxocara (3.12%) were the predominant parasites in dogs. For protozoan parasites, Eimeria was most common in all 4 animal hosts. Several goats (2.39%) and sheep (2.38%) tested positive for Fasciola spp. Molecular analysis confirmed Toxocara canis in dogs for the first time in Nigeria.

CONCLUSIONS

The major parasites recovered from these roaming/migrating animals have zoonotic potentials that can threaten human health.

Hura crepitans Seeds for Control of Eimeria spp. in Lambs as an Alternative to Conventional Therapies

To evaluate the anticoccidial effect of the Hura crepitans seed, 21 cross-breed lambs, 23 ± 3 kg live weight (PV) and 70 ± 6 days old, were used. Animals were housed individually in raised wire-mesh pens, with individual water troughs and feeders. Lambs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7) that received different doses of Hura crepitans seeds: 4 g/kg B.W. (group 1), 6 g/kg B.W. (group 2) and 0 g/kg B.W. (control group or group 0). The treatment was administered at the beginning of the experiment once orally and the study lasted 21 days. Stool samples were taken for quantitative analysis of oocysts using the McMaster technique and blood for haematological and biochemical analysis. Lambs that received the seeds showed a higher excretion of coccidia oocysts between days 5 and 7 after treatment (p < 0.05) due to the antiparasitic effect of these seeds, without affecting their productive performance (daily feed intake (DFI)- total weight gain (TWG), daily weight gain (DWG)). In addition, the daily feed consumption (DFC) and dry matter intake (DMI) were similar between the groups. The analysed enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT and FA) and creatinine showed reference values. Only the urea and BUN levels were slightly increased, but without statistical difference between the groups. Therefore, the Hura crepitans seed, at doses of 4 and 6 g/kg, favours the expulsion of coccidial oocysts, without affecting either the health or the productive behaviour of lambs.

Eimeria infections in domestic and wild ruminants with reference to control options in domestic ruminants

Eimeria infections are commonly seen in a variety of mammalian hosts. This genus of unicellular sporozoan parasites causes significant disease (coccidiosis) in different livestock species leading to economic losses for agricultural producers. Especially the production of cattle, sheep, and goat is strongly dependent on efficient coccidiosis control. However, many other livestock hosts like, e.g., camelids, bison, rabbits, and guinea pigs may benefit from reduced parasite transmission and targeted control measures as well. Besides livestock, also wildlife and pet animals may be affected by Eimeria infections resulting in clinical or subclinical coccidiosis. Wildlife herd health is crucial to conservation efforts, and Eimeria species are a prevalent pathogen in multiple mammalian wildlife species. This review aims to highlight the epidemiology of mammalian Eimeria infections in both wild and domestic ruminants, including host specificity, transmission, survival of environmental oocysts, occurrence, and risk factors for infection. Understanding general drivers of Eimeria infection may support adequate livestock and wildlife management. Furthermore, control options for livestock with reference to management factors, drug application, and alternative approaches are discussed. The goal of Eimeria control should be to reduce pathogen transmission in different host species and to improve sustainable livestock production. Controlling Eimeria infections in livestock is important considering both their animal welfare impact and their high economic relevance.

Immunoprotection against mixed Eimeria spp. infections in goat kids induced by X-irradiated oocysts

Strategies to control goat coccidiosis traditionally rely on the use of management practices combined with anticoccidial treatments, and limited effort has been made, so far, to address immunological control of caprine Eimeria infections. Previously, we showed that monospecific immunization with X-Rad-attenuated Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae oocysts induced considerable immunoprotection upon challenge. In the present study, we conducted a similar vaccination trial but using a mixture of caprine Eimeria species typically present in natural infected goats. For immunization, sporulated oocysts were attenuated by X irradiation (20 kilorad). All infections were performed orally applying 10⁵ sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria spp. per animal. In total, 18 goat kids were grouped as follows: (G1) immunized + challenge infected; (G2) primary + challenge infected; (G3) challenge infection control; and (G4) non-immunized/non-infected control. Overall, goat kids infected with attenuated oocysts (= immunized) shed less oocysts in the faeces and showed a lower degree of clinical coccidiosis than animals infected with non-attenuated oocysts. Animals of both challenge groups (G1 and G2) showed partial immunoprotection upon reinfection when compared to challenge infection control (G3). However, the degree of immunoprotection was less pronounced than recently reported for monospecific vaccination against Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, most probably due to the complexity of the pathogenesis and related immune responses against mixed Eimeria spp. infections. Nevertheless, the data of the present study demonstrate that immunization with attenuated Eimeria spp. oocysts may be worth pursuing as a strategy to control goat coccidiosis.

A Comparison of the Prevalence of the Parasites of the Digestive Tract in Goats from Organic and Conventional Farms

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats kept on organic (n = 76) and conventional farms (n = 82). In general, a higher prevalence of some gastrointestinal parasitic infections was found in the conventional farms compared to the organic farms: the mean prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 85.4% in conventional farms and 77.6% in organic farms, that of Fasciola hepatica was 6.10% in conventional farms and 2.63% in organic farms, and that of Moniezia expansa was 31.7% and 17.1%, in conventional and organic farms, respectively. Both farm types demonstrated a similar mean prevalence of nematodes (80.3 vs. 84.2%). Conventional farms demonstrated a significantly higher intensity of infection with E. arloingi, Haemonchus spp., Nematodirus spp. and Moniezia expansa compared to organic farms. They also demonstrated a higher intensity of infection with Eimeria spp. than organic farms. The prophylactic programs used to combat parasitic infections in both types of farms appear ineffective and require improvement. There is a need for goat herds to be covered by ongoing parasitological monitoring. It is also recommended that keepers employ rotational or intensive rotational grazing methods and take care to ensure the hygiene of animal quarters and livestock rooms.

Analysis of potential risk factors of caprine coccidiosis

Caprine coccidiosis represents a major concern in goat industry worldwide causing high economic losses, mainly due to poor weight gains, treatment costs and even death of kids. Therefore, analyses on risk factors involved in the establishment and outcome of this disease are important to improve infection status and herd management. In Portugal, approximately 400,000 goats are reared every year. The majority of them are allocated in the southern part of the country. In the current study, a representative number of animals (382 goats) and herds (37 herds) from Alentejo were monitored. Faecal samples from five young and five adult goats of each farm were collected rectally and examined individually by using the modified McMaster technique for oocyst counts (oocyst per gram of faeces - OPG). Additionally, a questionnaire on the husbandry conditions and anti-parasitic treatments was performed. Overall, a prevalence of Eimeria infections of 99% and 100% was detected on animal and herd level, respectively. Eimeria arloingi and E. ninakohlyakimovae as the two most pathogenic caprine species also constituted the most prevalent ones (34.91% and 29.90%, respectively), both in the young and the adult goat groups. As expected, OPG vales were significantly higher (p = 0.031) in young than in adult goats. Furthermore, risk factor analyses revealed young age, higher total number of animals on the farm and outdoor kidding as strongly associated with a higher risk of caprine coccidiosis. Overall, the high prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species on Portuguese goat farms in combination with the occurrence of related risk factors strengthen the importance of coccidiosis control in caprine industry.

First detection of Eimeria species in Myanmar domestic goats with both microscopic and molecular methods

Coccidiosis is of great economic importance in many farm animals. This study involved analysis of 280 faecal samples collected from 12 traditional goat farms from Nay Pyi Taw area, Myanmar. Faecal samples were examined by the flotation method and concentrated oocysts were identified on the basis of morphological characters. Of 280 faecal samples examined, 168 (60.0%) were positive for Eimeria oocysts. Three different Eimeria species were identified and their positive detection rates in the herd were: E. arloingi (25.4%), followed by E. hirci (20.7%) and E. christenseni (13.9%). Identifications were confirmed by 18S rDNA and COI sequences. 18S rDNA sequences showed 100% homology with, respectively, E. christenseni reported from Australia, E. arloingi reported from Australia and Iran, and E. hirci from Australia. COI sequences of E. christenseni, E. hirci, and E. arloingi, respectively, exhibited 98.9%, 98.4%, and 98.5% similarities with those reported from Australia. This is the first report of Eimeria infection in Myanmar goats.

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.

Far beyond Phagocytosis: Phagocyte-Derived Extracellular Traps Act Efficiently against Protozoan Parasites In Vitro and In Vivo

Professional mononuclear phagocytes such as polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), monocytes, and macrophages are considered as the first line of defence against invasive pathogens. The formation of extracellular traps (ETs) by activated mononuclear phagocytes is meanwhile well accepted as an effector mechanism of the early host innate immune response acting against microbial infections. Recent investigations showed evidence that ETosis is a widely spread effector mechanism in vertebrates and invertebrates being utilized to entrap and kill bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoan parasites. ETs are released in response to intact protozoan parasites or to parasite-specific antigens in a controlled cell death process. Released ETs consist of nuclear DNA as backbone adorned with histones, antimicrobial peptides, and phagocyte-specific granular enzymes thereby producing a sticky extracellular matrix capable of entrapping and killing pathogens. This review summarizes recent data on protozoa-induced ETosis. Special attention will be given to molecular mechanisms of protozoa-induced ETosis and on its consequences for the parasites successful reproduction and life cycle accomplishment.

Mini-FLOTAC for counting Toxoplasma gondii oocysts from cat feces--comparison with cell counting plates

Oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii represent one of the most common environmental contaminants causing the zoonotic infection toxoplasmosis. The aim of the present study was to compare the Mini-FLOTAC device with traditional cell counting plates (Kova Slide) for the detection of T. gondii oocysts from feline feces. Two types of experiments were performed: (i) purified oocysts were counted in different dilutions and (ii) specific pathogen free T. gondii-negative cat feces was inoculated with numbers of purified oocysts and counting was performed directly from feces. Our analysis showed a thousand times higher sensitivity of Mini-FLOTAC (5 × 10(2) oocysts) compared to Kova Slide (5 × 10(5) oocysts). Also, when compared by McNemar's test, counting of the purified oocysts showed a higher sensitivity of Mini-FLOTAC compared to Kova Slide, for a dilution of 10(3) oocysts/ml (chi(2) = 6.1; P < 0.05). A better sensitivity was also found with Mini-FLOTAC in dilutions of 10(5) and 10(4) oocysts/ml, when counted from feces (chi(2) = 4.2 and 8.1, respectively, P < 0.05). Our results show that Mini-FLOTAC is more sensitive than traditional methods of T. gondii oocysts detection and quantification is more accurate. Furthermore, Mini-FLOTAC simplicity and cost effectiveness allow it to be used with light microscopes in any laboratory or field conditions. We therefore recommend its use for regular screening. Further studies are needed to validate Mini-FLOTAC for the detection of oocysts in soil and water samples in field conditions.