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Maurizio A, Perrucci S, Tamponi C, Scala A, Cassini R, Rinaldi L, Bosco A. Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience. Parasitology 2023; 150:1105-1118. [PMID: 37039466 PMCID: PMC10801368 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminants and cause significant costs due to production losses. Moreover, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe and poses a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock farming. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes and liver- and rumen-flukes in Italian small ruminants are outdated and fragmentary. However, anthelmintics are commonly used to control these infections and often without prior diagnosis. Compared to other European countries, few reports of AR in small ruminants against levamisole, ivermectin and benzimidazoles have been published in Italy, but recent studies suggest that this phenomenon is spreading. Increased and integrated research efforts in developing innovative approaches to control helminth infections and AR are needed and must be tailored to the peculiarities of each context in order to be effectively implemented. This manuscript provides an overview on helminth prevalence and distribution, sustainable treatment strategies and integrated control approaches in small ruminants in Italy. The implementation of targeted treatments and targeted selective treatments is discussed based on different parameters, such as fecal egg count, degree of anaemia (FAMACHA© method), milk production and body condition score. In addition, several Italian studies have also investigated the implementation of alternative strategies such as the use of different natural bioactive compounds or genetic selection for resistance and resilience to helminth infections. These concrete solutions for helminth management in small ruminant farms in the country are reported and discussed, representing a valid example for other Mediterranean countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maurizio
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16-35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
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López-Leyva Y, González-Garduño R, Cruz-Tamayo AA, Arece-García J, Huerta-Bravo M, Ramírez-Valverde R, Torres-Hernández G, López-Arellano ME. Protein Supplementation as a Nutritional Strategy to Reduce Gastrointestinal Nematodiasis in Periparturient and Lactating Pelibuey Ewes in a Tropical Environment. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080941. [PMID: 36015063 PMCID: PMC9414308 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of energy and protein supplementation on parasitological and hematological response during peripartum and lactation of productive and non-productive Pelibuey ewes in a tropical environment. Forty-eight Pelibuey ewes aged 3–5 years and with a body weight of 31 ± 5 kg were used. Four groups of 12 ewes, including non-pregnant and productive ewes, were formed. A factorial treatment design was formulated, where two levels of energy (low, 9.6 MJ/kg, n = 24; and high, 10.1 MJ/kg, n = 24) and two levels of protein (high, 15% crude protein in diet, n = 24; and low, 8% crude protein in diet, n = 24) were studied. Fecal and blood samples were collected to determine the fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), packed cell volume (PCV) and peripheral eosinophil (EOS) count. These variables were rearranged with respect to the lambing date in a retrospective study. The high dietary protein level had a significant effect on reducing the FEC and increasing the PCV of ewes during lactation, in comparison with animals fed with the low protein level. Differences in the study variables were attributed to physiological stage. Lactating ewes showed the highest FEC values (2709 ± 359 EPG), the lowest PCV values (21.9 ± 0.7%) and the lowest EOS (0.59 ± 0.6 Cells × 103 µL). It is concluded that high levels of dietary protein improve the hematological response and reduce the FEC in Pelibuey ewes under grazing conditions. The non-pregnant ewes maintained some resilience and resistance to GIN infection compared to productive ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel López-Leyva
- Postgraduate in Animal Production, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Roberto González-Garduño
- Southeast Regional University Unit, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Teapa 86800, Tabasco, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.G.-G.); (A.A.C.-T.)
| | - Alvar Alonzo Cruz-Tamayo
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Escárcega 24350, Campeche, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.G.-G.); (A.A.C.-T.)
| | - Javier Arece-García
- Pasture and Forage Experimental Station “Indio Hatuey”, Universidad de Matanzas, Matanzas 44280, Cuba
| | - Maximino Huerta-Bravo
- Postgraduate in Animal Production, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Ramírez-Valverde
- Postgraduate in Animal Production, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - M. Eugenia López-Arellano
- Department of Helmintology, National Center for Disciplinary Research in Animal Health, INIFAP, Jiutepec 62560, Morelos, Mexico
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Tamponi C, Dessì G, Varcasia A, Knoll S, Meloni L, Scala A. Preliminary Assessment of Body Condition Score as a Possible Marker for the Targeted Selective Treatment of Dairy Sheep Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:362-368. [PMID: 34613573 PMCID: PMC8938367 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose In the fight against anthelmintic resistance, targeted selective treatments (TSTs), where only a small percentage of a flock receives treatment, have become increasingly popular. Overall, implementation of such treatments can be based on various parameters including Body condition score (BCS). As infection with non-bloodsucking nematodes, frequently encountered on sheep farms in the central Mediterranean basin, commonly causes bodyweight reduction, the aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of BCS as a parameter for the implementation of TSTs in lactating dairy sheep with subclinical gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections from the island of Sardinia, Italy. Methods Faecal samples from 1012 ewes divided into 2 groups (third and fifth month of lactation) were collected and their BCS recorded. Faecal egg counts and coprocultures were performed for the assessment of the GIN burden and identification of present species. Results An overall GIN prevalence of 85.4% with a mean eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces of 210.1 ± 347.3 was found. Teladorsagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were the GIN genera most identified. Overall, animals with the lowest BCS had the highest EPG values and a negative correlation (r = − 0.163) between the EPG values and BCS of the studied animals was found, which was most significant for older sheep. Conclusion This research confirmed BCSs and EPG values for GIN in sheep to be negatively correlated, particularly in older ewes. Application of TSTs for lactating sheep with a BCS < 2.25, especially to older ewes, could be beneficial in case of subclinical GIN infections, although further studies are needed to work out precise recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tamponi
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Stephane Knoll
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luisa Meloni
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Physiological, Immunological and Genetic Factors in the Resistance and Susceptibility to Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep in the Peripartum Period: A Review. Helminthologia 2021; 58:134-151. [PMID: 34248374 PMCID: PMC8256458 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases of sheep involving gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are one of the main problems that affect fl ock productivity, especially during the peripartum period. Around lambing, the ewes are immunosuppressed and the nematode faecal egg count (FEC) increases at four weeks before lambing, reaching a peak between the fourth and sixth week postpartum and subsequently decreasing towards weaning. Prolactin has been credited with a suppressive effect on immune system, along with other hormones that intervene in metabolism, such as leptin, which has an important role in the activation of other hormones. Cortisol has also been included; this is stimulated by any stressful event and inhibits the proliferation of T-cells and alters the function of immunoglobulins. Another related hormone is pepsinogen, which is considered a marker of the integrity of the abomasum mucosa, as well as the albumin concentration that increases in the presence of a GIN infection. The humoral and cellular immune response, as well as inflammatory reactions, are the main mechanisms of action against GIN. Lymphocytes direct the effector mechanisms in a Th2 cell response, including interleukins (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) together with immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE), which prevent the invasion of pathogens. Eosinophils with a cytotoxic effect are indicators of a parasitic infection, with importance in the immune protection of infected individuals. The genetic selection of resistant individuals measured by FEC is dependent on the heritability (h2), which is moderately inheritable and highly repeatable. Effects that influence the resistance or susceptibility of sheep to GIN infections in the peripartum period are determined by the interaction of various factors, such as genotype or breed, nutrition, age, type of birth, season and production system, etc., which are studied in this review.
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López-Leyva Y, González-Garduño R, Huerta-Bravo M, Ramírez-Valverde R, Torres-Hernández G, Arece-García J, López-Arellano ME. High energy levels in the diet reduce the parasitic effect of Haemonchus contortus in Pelibuey sheep. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05870. [PMID: 33426348 PMCID: PMC7785848 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutritional aspects modulate the parasitological and immune response in infected sheep. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the parasitological and humoral immune response of Pelibuey sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus that were fed diets with two different energy (n = 12) and protein (n = 12) levels. Twenty-four Pelibuey lambs infected with H. contortus were evaluated over 12 weeks. An additional six animals were considered as a control group. Fecal egg count (FEC) was determined, in addition to packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein (TPP), and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM) by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Data were analyzed by repeated measures over time. The lambs that received a high-energy (HighE) diet had the lowest FEC (P < 0.01) regardless of whether they received a high (HighP) or low (LowP) level of protein. The effect of energy level was also observed over time: FEC values decreased and PCV and TPP values increased. Higher immunoglobulin levels were obtained for females (P < 0.05) than males yet, overall, the energy and protein levels of the diets did not affect the response of the immunoglobulins. Over time, however, an increase in IgG and IgM was observed, whereas the IgA level remained basal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel López-Leyva
- Posgrado en Producción Animal, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico
| | | | - Maximino Huerta-Bravo
- Posgrado en Producción Animal, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico
| | | | | | - Javier Arece-García
- Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes “Indio Hatuey”, Universidad de Matanzas, Cuba
| | - Ma. Eugenia López-Arellano
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Jiutepec, Mor., Mexico
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Ferreira JB, Sotomaior CS, Bezerra ACDS, da Silva WE, Leite JHGM, de Sousa JER, de Fátima França Biz J, Façanha DAE. Sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA © system in tropical hair sheep. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1767-1771. [PMID: 30838486 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01861-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the FAMACHA© (F©) system in Morada Nova ewes. The conjunctivae of 562 ewes were evaluated using the F© system. Packed cell volume (PCV) served as the gold standard for clinical F© evaluation. To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the F© system, different criteria were adopted: animals classified as (I) F© 4 and 5 or (II) 3, 4, and 5 were considered to be anemic and animals classified as (I) F© 1, 2, and 3, or (II) 1 and 2 were considered to be non-anemic. Three standard values of PCV, namely, ≤ 19%, ≤ 18%, or ≤ 15%, were used to confirm anemia. The percentage of correct treatments was always high when the F© values 4 and 5 were used as criteria for positive tests. For all the PCV cut-off values, more animals were classified as false positives when evaluated using F© 3, 4, and 5 as criteria for a positive test and more true negative animals when evaluated using only F© 4 and 5 as criteria for a positive test. For both sets of criteria for the positive tests, few animals were classified as false negatives and true positives. Eliminating the classification of F© 3 as anemic decreased the sensitivity and increased the specificity for all the PCV cut-off values for the ewes. The F© system can be used as a reliable alternative to reduce selection pressure for anthelmintics in relation to routine non-selective blanket treatment for worm control in the Morada Nova ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiel Borges Ferreira
- Laboratory of Adaptive Physiology and Genetic Resources, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA), Rodovia BR 110, Km 47, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil. .,Animal Science Program (PPGCA), UFERSA, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil.
| | - Cristina Santos Sotomaior
- Graduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCA), School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil
| | | | - Wilma Emanuela da Silva
- Laboratory of Adaptive Physiology and Genetic Resources, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA), Rodovia BR 110, Km 47, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil.,Animal Science Program (PPGCA), UFERSA, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Jacinara Hody Gurgel Morais Leite
- Laboratory of Adaptive Physiology and Genetic Resources, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA), Rodovia BR 110, Km 47, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - José Ernandes Rufino de Sousa
- Laboratory of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Science, UFERSA, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Jesséa de Fátima França Biz
- Animal Science Program (PPGCA), School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Débora Andréa Evangelista Façanha
- Laboratory of Adaptive Physiology and Genetic Resources, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Semiarid (UFERSA), Rodovia BR 110, Km 47, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
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