Gastrointestinal nematode infections in German sheep

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and variation of natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in lambs according to birth type, gender and breed based on individual faecal egg counts (FEC) from various regions in Germany. A total of 3,924 lambs (3 to 15 months old) with different genetic backgrounds (Merinoland, German Blackhead Mutton, Rhoen, Texel and Merino long-wool) were individually sampled during the grazing period between 2006 and 2008. Furthermore, pooled faecal samples from each of the farms were cultured in order to differentiate the third-stage larvae of the nematode spp. Sixty-three percent of the lambs were infected with GIN. The infections were mostly low to moderate and involved several nematode species. The Trichostrongylus spp. was the predominant species based on the percentage of larvae in faecal cultures. Only 11.4% of the lambs were free of Eimeria oocysts. Tapeworm eggs were encountered in 13.2% of all samples. The prevalence of GIN infections varied significantly (P < 0.001) among farms. A significantly higher FEC (P < 0.05) was observed in multiple-born lambs when compared with singletons. Moreover, male lambs were more susceptible to infection than females (P < 0.001). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between breeds regarding FEC. Inter-individual variations were higher than inter-breed differences, which may indicate the possibility of selection within these breeds for parasites resistance as described in earlier studies

The Constitution and Conflict-of-Laws Treaties: Upgrading the International Comity

Relationships between worm burdens and infection proxies based on pooled data. Linear relationships between worm burdens with plasma antibody, egg yolk antibody and faecal egg counts in chickens experimentally infected (red dot) with Ascaridia galli or with Heterakis gallinarum and uninfected control birds (green dot). Note that the correlations are based on pooled data from infected and uninfected controls within each nematode infection. (TIF 161 kb

Additional file 4: Figure S3. of A comprehensive evaluation of an ELISA for the diagnosis of the two most common ascarids in chickens using plasma or egg yolks

Relationships between worm burdens and infection proxies based on pooled data. Linear relationships between worm burdens with plasma antibody, egg yolk antibody and faecal egg counts in chickens experimentally infected (red dot) with Ascaridia galli or with Heterakis gallinarum and uninfected control birds (green dot). Note that the correlations are based on pooled data from infected and uninfected controls within each nematode infection. (TIF 161 kb