Effects of sainfoin hay on gastrointestinal infection with nematodes in goats

EFFECTS OF SAINFOIN HAY ON GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTION WITH NEMATODES IN GOATS

Helminth infections: do they affect the productive efficiency of speacialised dairy farms?

Subclinical infections with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and liver fluke are an important cause of production losses in grazing dairy cattle

Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal cattle nematodes

Anthelmintic resistance of parasites in small ruminants, cattle and horses is increasing worldwide as a consequence of the over usage of the currently available products. In Belgium, Cooperia oncophora is the most common cattle nematode in which resistance, especially against macrocyclic lactones, occurs. Once resistance has been diagnosed, a change to another drug with a different mode of action is advised. However, effective anthelmintics will be hardly available in the near future. Therefore, it is important that farmers and veterinarians find a balance between achieving good parasite control and the sustainability of their control strategies. In this way, anthelmintic resistance may be delayed, and the effectiveness of anthelmintic drugs may be prolonged. This requires sensitive detection tools. With a sensitive detection technique, anthelmintic resistance can be diagnosed in a very early stage. Hence, the spread of resistance alleles in the parasite population may be prevented. In this review, different diagnostic assays for the detection of anthelmintic resistance are discussed, an overview is given of the current status of anthelmintic resistance in Belgian cattle, and measures are suggested to avoid or delay the development of anthelmintic resistance

Gastrointestinal nematodes of Ovis aries in Eastern Cape, South Africa and an evaluation of current anthelmintic procedures

Humans have known about helminth infections since ancient times. Today half of the human population is plagued by a nematode infection. Nematodes are responsible for billions of dollars in global crop damage annually and have had devastating effects on the global livestock industry. Due to the lack of a vaccine, and only a handful of approved classes of anthelmintics, nematode resistance has become a serious global phenomenon, and the South African commercial sheep industry has been one of the worst affected worldwide. The current study used fecal float parasitology to determine the nematode species found on a commercial sheep farm in Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the severity of their burden. There were five main species of nematodes found: Strongyles, Strongyloides spp., Trichuris ovis, Nematodirus spathiger, and Haemonchus contortus. The farm had two different populations of sheep – the flock population which were of acceptable wool quality and the stud population which were of superior wool quality. The two populations were compared to each other. There was no significant difference in nematode species present or severity of infection between the two populations. Although the nematode burden of this farm was not as severe as many other South African farms, a discussion of current anthelmintic treatments and possible practices that may improve animal health and wool quality are discussed

Use of Diatomaceous Earth and Copper Oxide Wire Particles to Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Lambs

Abstract Anthelmintic resistance (AR) urges alternatives to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) are more efficacious when used with other dewormers and little is known on efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) to control gastrointestinal parasites. The objective was to examine the effects of DE and COWP on GIN control. Katahdin lambs (n = 32; ~150 d of age; 25.0 ± 1.8 kg) were randomly assigned to receive: 1) DE fed at an estimated 2% dry matter intake (with the assumption of moderate consumption of bermudagrass forage and provided supplement), 2) 1g COWP, 3) both 2% DE and 1g COWP, and 4) neither DE or COWP. Feces and blood were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 to determine fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV). Feces were cultured to determine GIN genera. Fecal egg counts were log transformed; data were analyzed as a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement using Proc Mixed of SAS with day as a repeated measurement. There was a mixed GIN population including 58% Haemonchus contortusand 30% Trichostrongylus spp.Fecal egg counts tended to be lower by d 28 in DE (175 eggs/g) than no DE (753 eggs/g) fed lambs (P = 0.09), but in general, were relatively low and no other differences among treatments detected. Packed cell volume tended to be higher in COWP than no COWP lambs by d 28 (P = 0.10), and no other differences detected. In conclusion, during a low GIN challenge, there may have been a small effect of DE on FEC, but no advantage observed in combination treatment

In vitro effects of three woody plant and sainfoin extracts on two parasitic stage of 3 parasitic nematode species

Most studies on the effects of tanniferous plants on nematodes have examined forages but have neglected the woody plants. Therefore, in vitro effects of extracts from 3 woody plants (Rubus fructicosus, Quercus robur, Corylus avellana) have been tested on trichostrongyles and compared to sainfoin, a legume forage. Because some in vivo results indicated that the effects of tannins differed depending on the parasitic species and/or stages, the effects were measured on third-stage larvae (L3) and adult worms of Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The effects of plant extracts varied according to the plant sources, the parasite species and stages. For the woody plants, significant inhibitory effects were obtained on both stages of abomasal species. Results for T. colubriformis were more variable. Effects of sainfoin extracts were significant on T. colubriformis and H.contortus L3, and on abomasal adult worms. In order to assess the implications of tannins, polyethylene glycol (PEG), an inhibitor of tannins, was added to hazel tree, oak and sainfoin extracts. Without PEG, significant inhibitory effects on L3 and adult worms were confirmed. After addition of PEG, the larval migration and motility of adult worms were restored in most cases. These results confirm variations in effects depending on factors related to plants or parasites and suggest that tannins are partly responsible for the effects

A study on some aspects of the pathogenicity, diagnosis and control of gastrointestinal nematodes in deer : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The most important parasites in farmed red deer are Dictyocaulus eckerti and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). The overall aim of these studies was to develop an understanding about GIN parasites in red deer, including their pathogenicity, diagnosis, control and the risk of cross-infection with cattle/sheep. To understand the pathogenicity of GIN, young deer were trickle infected with a mixed culture of deerorigin infective larvae (L3). The infection comprised 40% Ostertagia-type and 53% Oesophagostomum spp. L3. As a result of the high proportion of Oesophagostomum spp. L3, the animals were clinically affected with large intestinal lesions and it was not possible to investigate the effect of Ostertagia-type parasites. Oesophagostomum sikae was recognised in New Zealand for the first time in this study. A national survey of the prevalence of different GIN in deer utilised PCR-based methodology. From each of 59 deer farms around New Zealand faeces from an average of 19 deer/farm were cultured and 24 infective larvae were randomly selected and identified. The order of prevalence from high to low was Oesophagostomum. venulosum > Spiculopteragia asymmetrica > S. spiculoptera > Ostertagia leptospicularis. This illustrated the importance of abomasal nematodes in the subfamily Ostertaginae. A study was conducted to determine the ability of sheep GIN to establish in deer. The highest establishment rates were Haemonchus contortus (10.5%), Trichostrongylus axei (12.2%) and O. venulosum (5.8%). However, these were all lower than in sheep. The effectiveness of crossgrazing system between deer and sheep (DS) or cattle (DC) compared to deer grazing alone (DD) was undertaken as a replicated study at two locations over two years. The key outcomes were that DC needed fewer anthelmintic treatments and still had higher live-weight than other groups. The DD group received more treatments and still had highest nematode counts for Ostertagia-type nematodes and Dictyocaulus. The DS group received a similar number of treatments to DD and had the highest burdens of T. axei. Cross-grazing offers advantages which varied between DC and DS with regards the level of control of GIN, however, both were effective in controlling lungworm infection. Deer in all groups still required anthelmintic treatment to maintain growth rates

Monitoring gastrointestinal nematode and liver fluke infections in Belgium by bulk tank milk ELISA: are we making progress in parasite control?

Parasitic infections with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) are common causes of reduced productivity in ruminants. In this paper, the results of a voluntary monitoring campaign on helminth infections in Belgian dairy herds are summarized and discussed. From 2009 until 2011, a bulk tank milk sample was collected in autumn and analyzed by antibody-detecting bulk tank milk ELISA's to assess the level of exposure to GI nematodes and liver fluke. The number of farms participating in the survey increased over the years, from 1216 in 2009 to 1731 in 2011. The proportion of herds with high exposure to GI nematodes varied significantly between the three years, from 67% in 2009 over 70% in 2010 to 63% in 2011. The proportion of herds with high exposure to F. hepatica remained stable around 30%. Important regional variations were observed with levels of exposure to GI nematodes increasing from the north to the south of the country, whereas the distribution of F. hepatica was concentrated in the province of West-Flanders, the southern part of East-Flanders, Hainaut and the northern part of Luxembourg. It can be concluded that, when compared with surveys conducted in surrounding countries, the levels of helminth exposure in Belgium can be considered high, especially for GI nematodes. If the aim is to decrease levels of exposure in the future, this will likely require control methods based on altered timings of treatment and changes in pasture management

Bioactive forage and phytotherapy to cure and control endo-parasite diseases in sheep and goat farming systems – a review of current scientific knowledge

Infestation with gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants can cause severe economic losses and endanger animal welfare. The development of organic farming systems, the increased public awareness for drug residues in agricultural products and the development of resistant strains of parasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this review is to summarise the current scientific knowledge of alternative strategies to prevent and control endo-parasitic diseases in organic sheep and goat farming systems. The conducted literature evaluation has revealed the major potential to be within the field of bioactive forages, phytotherapy, homeopathy and copper-oxide wire particles. Alternative management pattern like grazing management, nematophagous fungi, improved fodder and breeding are not considered. The administration and cultivation of bioactive forages and phytotherapy are displaying promise potential for endo-parasite control in organic sheep and goat farming. Scientific research has mainly concentrated on the extracts of the plant species chicory, Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) and Quebracho (Schinopsis ssp.). The analysis of these plants showed all plants to have some positive potential, but also highlighted individual limitations in application. However from the results of this literature review none of the investigated plants have been researched sufficiently in on farm experiments to recommend any for implementation at this stage. No concrete recommendation for a single plant can be given, further research on promising species for the commercial use is strongly recommended, as is the review of the law concerning the appliance of plant based remedies

Alternative strategies to prevent and control endoparasite diseases in organic sheep and goat farming systems – a review of current scientific knowledge

Infestation with gastro-intestinal nematodes in small ruminants can cause server economic losses and endanger animal welfare. The development of organic farming systems, the increased public awareness for drug residues in agricultural products and the development of resistant strains of parasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasite infecting small ruminants, to give an overview of the legal background and to investigate alternative control strategies and treatments, discussing them on overall viability. The main section has been divided into a part of non-chemotherapeutical control strategies and alternative anthelmintic treatments. The conducted research has revealed the major potential to be within the field of non-chemical options. Biological control, effective pasture management, selective breeding, enhanced nutrition and the administration of bioactive forages were discussed and found to hold numerous options. The investigation of alternative anthelmintic treatments reviewed phytotherapy, homeopathy and copper-oxide wire particles. Phytotherapy was examined at in detail and found to hold future potential, indicating a strong need for scientific verification of the potential of many plants. In conclusion this paper shows possibilities and limitations in the area of alternative anthelmintic treatments as well as in non-chemical control options and outlines future research fields