1
|
González S, del Rio ML, Díez-Baños N, Martínez A, Hidalgo MDR. Contribution to the Knowledge of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Roe Deer ( Capreolus capreolus) from the Province of León, Spain: An Epidemiological and Molecular Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3117. [PMID: 37835723 PMCID: PMC10571729 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A study of gastrointestinal nematodes in roe deer was carried out in the regional hunting reserves of Riaño and Mampodre, Province of León, Spain, to provide information on their prevalence and intensity of infection in relation to the sampling areas, age of the animals, and body weight. Through a regulated necropsy of the animals, all of them harbored gastrointestinal nematodes in their digestive tract, with a mean intensity of parasitism of 638 ± 646.1 nematodes/infected animal. Eleven genera were found and 18 species of gastrointestinal nematodes were identified, three of them polymorphic: Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Trichostrongylus capricola, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus, Spiculopteragia spiculoptera/Spiculopteragia mathevossiani, Ostertagia leptospicularis/Ostertagia kolchida, Ostertagia (Grosspiculopteragia) occidentalis, Teladorsagia circumcincta/Teladorsagia trifurcate, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus europaeus, Cooperia oncophora, Capillaria bovis, Oesophagostomum venulosum, and Trichuris ovis. All of them have already been cited in roe deer in Europe, but Marshallagia marshalli, Capillaria bovis, and Ostertagia (Grosspiculopteragia) occidentalis are reported for the first time in Spain in this host. The abomasum was the intestinal section, where the prevalence (98.9%) and mean intensity (x¯ = 370.7 ± 374.4 worms/roe deer; range 3-1762) were significantly higher, but no statistically significant differences were found when comparing the sampling areas and age of animals. The animals with lower body weight had a higher parasite load than those in better physical condition, finding, in this case, statistically significant differences (p = 0.0020). Seven genera and 14 species were identified. In the small intestine, 88% of the animals examined presented gastrointestinal nematodes, with an average intensity of x¯ = 131.7 ± 225.6 parasites/infected animal, ranging between 4-1254 worms. No statistically significant differences were found when the three parameters studied were compared. Four genera and seven species were identified. In the large intestine/cecum, 78.3% of the examined roe deer presented adult worms, with an average intensity of 6.3 ± 5.5 worms/infected animal; range 1-26 worms. Only statistically significant differences were observed when considering the mean intensity of parasitism and the sampling area (p = 0.0093). Two genera and two species were identified. Several of the species found in the study were studied molecularly, and with the sequences obtained compared with those deposited in GenBank, phylogenetic trees were prepared to determine their taxonomic status. Using coprological techniques, the existing correlation in the shedding of gastrointestinal nematode eggs in roe deer was investigated with that of semi-extensive sheep farms in the same study area to verify the existence of cross-transmission of these parasites between wild and domestic animals. The high values found in the studied parameters show that northern Spain is an area of high-intensity infection for roe deer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara González
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24007 León, Spain; (S.G.); (M.d.R.H.)
| | - María Luisa del Rio
- Department of Animal Health, Section of Immunobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24007 León, Spain;
| | - Natividad Díez-Baños
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24007 León, Spain; (S.G.); (M.d.R.H.)
| | - Angélica Martínez
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain;
| | - María del Rosario Hidalgo
- Department of Animal Health, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24007 León, Spain; (S.G.); (M.d.R.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Constancis C, Chartier C, Leligois M, Brisseau N, Bareille N, Strube C, Ravinet N. Gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm infections in organic dairy calves reared with nurse cows during their first grazing season in western France. Vet Parasitol 2022; 302:109659. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
3
|
Wang T, Redman EM, Morosetti A, Chen R, Kulle S, Morden N, McFarland C, Vineer HR, Colwell DD, Morgan ER, Gilleard JS. Seasonal epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in the northern continental climate zone of western Canada as revealed by internal transcribed spacer-2 ribosomal DNA nemabiome barcoding. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:604. [PMID: 34895334 PMCID: PMC8665551 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05101-w] [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: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) epidemiology is changing in many regions of the world due to factors such as global warming and emerging anthelmintic resistance. However, the dynamics of these changes in northern continental climate zones are poorly understood due to a lack of empirical data. Methods We studied the accumulation on pasture of free-living infective third-stage larvae (L3) of different GIN species from fecal pats deposited by naturally infected grazing cattle. The field study was conducted on three organic farms in Alberta, western Canada. Grass samples adjacent to 24 fecal pats were collected from each of three different pastures on each farm. Internal transcribed spacer-2 nemabiome metabarcoding was used to determine the GIN species composition of the harvested larvae. The rotational grazing patterns of the cattle ensured that each pasture was contaminated only once by fecal pat deposition. This design allowed us to monitor the accumulation of L3 of specific GIN species on pastures under natural climatic conditions without the confounding effects of pasture recontamination or anthelmintic treatments. Results In seven out of the nine pastures, grass L3 counts peaked approximately 9 weeks after fecal deposition and then gradually declined. However, a relatively large number of L3 remained in the fecal pats at the end of the grazing season. Nemabiome metabarcoding revealed that Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagi were the two most abundant species on all of the pastures and that the dynamics of larval accumulation on grass were similar for both species. Daily precipitation and temperature across the whole sampling period were similar for most of the pastures, and multiple linear regression showed that accumulated rainfall 1 week prior to sample collection had a significant impact on the pasture L3 population, but accumulated rainfall 3 weeks prior to sample collection did not. Conclusions The results suggest that the pasture L3 population was altered by short-term microclimatic conditions conducive for horizontal migration onto grass. Overall, the results show the importance of the fecal pat as a refuge and reservoir for L3 of cattle GIN on western Canadian pastures, and provide an evidence base for the risk assessment of rotational grazing management in the region. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05101-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Elizabeth M Redman
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Arianna Morosetti
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Rebecca Chen
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sarah Kulle
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Natasha Morden
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Hannah Rose Vineer
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Eric R Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - John S Gilleard
- Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zapa DMB, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Cavalcante ASDA, Nicaretta JE, Cruvinel LB, Maciel WG, Teixeira WFP, Felippelli G, Gomes LVC, Ferreira LL, Soares VE, da Costa AJ, Borges FDA, Lopes WDZ. Association between fecal egg count and weight gain in young beef cattle. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
5
|
Charlier J, Höglund J, Morgan ER, Geldhof P, Vercruysse J, Claerebout E. Biology and Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2020; 36:1-15. [PMID: 32029177 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the basics of gastrointestinal nematode biology and pathophysiology in cattle and describes how gastrointestinal nematode epidemiology is driven by environmental, host, and farm economic determinants. Adverse effects from gastrointestinal nematodes on their hosts are caused by tissue damage, nutrient absorption, immunopathologic effects, and reduced food intake induced by hormonal changes. Weather and microenvironmental factors influence the development and survival of free-living parasitic stages. A holistic control approach entails the consideration of environmental, immunologic, and socioeconomic aspects of nematode epidemiology and is key for the development and communication of sustainable control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Eric R Morgan
- Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Voinot M, Cazapal-Monteiro C, Hernández JÁ, Palomero AM, Arroyo FL, Sanchís J, Pedreira J, Sánchez-Andrade R, Paz-Silva A, Arias MS. Integrating the control of helminths in dairy cattle: Deworming, rotational grazing and nutritional pellets with parasiticide fungi. Vet Parasitol 2020; 278:109038. [PMID: 32000048 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-two Friesian cattle under a leaders/followers four-day rotation and passing eggs of trematodes and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) were studied in two trials for the integrated control of these helminths over two years. In the first trial, the effect of rotational pasturing was assessed on a group of leaders (milking cows, G-L1) and followers (dried-off cows and heifers, G-F1) supplemented daily with commercial nutritional pellets. In the second trial, leaders (G-L2) and followers (G-F2) were maintained under a rotational pasturing regime; the cows received daily commercial pelleted feed and heifers pellets manufactured with a blend of parasiticide fungi (3 × 105 chlamydospores of both Mucor circinelloides and Duddingtonia flagrans/kg pellet). Deworming via closantel and albendazole was performed in cows in each trial at the beginning of their drying periods, and fourteen days later, the fecal egg-count reductions (FECR) of Calicophoron daubneyi and GIN were from 94 to 100% (average 98 %), while the percentages of reduction of cattle shedding eggs (CPCR) were from 50 to 100% (average 77 % and 82 %, respectively). The heifers were dewormed one time only, at the beginning of each trial, and the values of FECR and CPCR were 100 % against C. daubneyi and 96 % and 83 %, respectively, against GIN. Over a period of 24 months, significantly higher numbers of helminth egg-output were observed in G-L1, with the lowest numbers in G-F2. C. daubneyi egg output was reduced by 5 % (G-L1) and 42 % (G-F1) at the end of trial 1 and by 83 % (G-L2) and 100 % (G-F2) at the end of trial 2; the numbers of GIN egg-output decreased by 13 % (G-L1) and 18 % (G-F1) at the end of trial 1, and by 72 % (G-L2) and 85 % (G-F2) at the end of trial 2. No adverse effects were detected in cattle taking pellets enriched with fungal spores (G-F2). It is concluded that long-term ingestion of spores of M. circinelloides and D. flagrans provides a valuable tool to improve the effect of rotational grazing and to lessen the risk of infection by C. daubneyi and GIN in dairy cattle, and accordingly, the performance of integrated control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Voinot
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Cristiana Cazapal-Monteiro
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - José Ángel Hernández
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Antonio Miguel Palomero
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Fabián Leonardo Arroyo
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Jaime Sanchís
- Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of "La República (Regional Norte)", 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | | | - Rita Sánchez-Andrade
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Adolfo Paz-Silva
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain.
| | - María Sol Arias
- Control of Parasites Group (COPAR, GI-2120), Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Explaining variability in first grazing season heifer growth combining individually measured parasitological and clinical indicators with exposure to gastrointestinal nematode infection based on grazing management practice. Vet Parasitol 2016; 225:61-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
8
|
Elevated temperatures and long drought periods have a negative impact on survival and fitness of strongylid third stage larvae. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:229-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
9
|
Rapid method for recovery of strongylid third stage larvae of parasitic nematodes from small soil samples. Exp Parasitol 2014; 142:91-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
10
|
|
11
|
Pato FJ, Vázquez L, Díez-Baños N, López C, Sánchez-Andrade R, Fernández G, Díez-Baños P, Panadero R, Díaz P, Morrondo P. Gastrointestinal nematode infections in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from the NW of the Iberian Peninsula: assessment of some risk factors. Vet Parasitol 2013; 196:136-42. [PMID: 23433640 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal contents of 218 roe deer hunted in the northwest (NW) of the Iberian Peninsula during the 2008-2009 hunting seasons were examined in order to provide information on the gastrointestinal (GI) nematode prevalence and intensity of infection and the possible influence of some environmental and intrinsic factors such as climatic conditions, age and sex. All the animals studied harboured GI nematodes, and a total of 20 different species belonging to ten genera were identified. Spiculopteragia spiculoptera/Spiculopteragia mathevossiani, Ostertagia leptospicularis/Ostertagia kolchida and Nematodirus filicollis were the most common. This is the first citation for Chabertia ovina, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia oncophora, Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus spathiger, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Teladorsagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus capricola, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Trichuris capreoli in roe deer from the Iberian Peninsula. Prevalence and intensity were significantly higher in the abomasum, where infections with more than one GI nematode species were the most common; in the other intestinal segments infections with only one GI nematode species were the most prevalent. When considering the influence of the different risk factors on the prevalence of GI nematodes, the highest prevalence for most of the genera were observed in roe deer from coastal areas, where climatic conditions are more favourable for the development and survival of third stage larvae in the environment. Regarding the sex of the animals, the prevalence was, in general, higher in males than in females, probably due to behavioural and physiological sex-related differences. On the contrary, no differences were found in relation to the age of the animals. This study reveals that roe deer from the NW of the Iberian Peninsula are widely and intensely infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, which probably affect the health status of these ungulates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F J Pato
- Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ellis KA, Jackson A, Bexiga R, Matthews J, McGoldrick J, Gilleard J, Forbes AB. Use of diagnostic markers to monitor fasciolosis and gastrointestinal nematodes on an organic dairy farm. Vet Rec 2011; 169:524. [PMID: 21908552 DOI: 10.1136/vr.d5021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A 12-month study was conducted to assess and monitor gastrointestinal tract nematodes and liver fluke in cohorts of cattle on a Scottish organic dairy farm. Various diagnostic markers for helminth parasites of cattle from different age groups were assessed monthly from April 2007 to March 2008. First season grazing stock were subjected to significant challenge from Ostertagia ostertagi nematodes as reflected in serum pepsinogen concentrations, which rose markedly in the second half of the grazing season. In addition, plasma albumin concentrations decreased and faecal egg counts (FEC) increased moderately, indicating exposure to both O ostertagi and probably Cooperia oncophora. Second season grazing animals had a peak FEC early in the grazing period, suggestive of a potential carry-over of Ostertagia species infection ('Type 2') during housing. All classes of cattle showed evidence of fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection. Adult cow exposure to O ostertagi and fluke was estimated via the use of ELISA testing to detect antibodies to O ostertagi and F hepatica and the high levels detected suggested a significant exposure response. Despite low stocking densities and sympathetic grazing management, there was a significant challenge to all grazing stock from gastrointestinal nematodes and liver fluke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Ellis
- Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Life Sciences.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Theodoropoulos G, Peristeropoulou P, Kouam MK, Kantzoura V, Theodoropoulou H. Survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infections of beef cattle in regions under Mediterranean weather in Greece. Parasitol Int 2010; 59:556-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2010] [Revised: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
14
|
Kidane A, Houdijk JGM, Athanasiadou S, Tolkamp BJ, Kyriazakis I. Effects of maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing on chicory (Cichorium intybus) on parasitism and performance of lambs. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:1513-21. [PMID: 20023143 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-eight 4- to 5-yr-old Blackface x Bluefaced Leicester (Mule) ewes and their 24-d-old twin lambs were used to assess the effects of maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing on chicory (Cichorium intybus) on performance and parasitism. The experiment consisted of 2 grazing periods: safe pasture period and experimental pasture period. During an adaptation period of 66 d, ewes were infected through oral dosing with Teladorsagia circumcincta infective larvae (3 d per wk) and were supplemented with protein (HP) or not (LP) for the last 45 d of this period. At the end of this period, ewes and their lambs were turned out onto a parasitologically safe pasture; all ewes continued to be dosed with parasite (once a week), and HP ewes received protein supplementation for the first 35 d. Ewes and lambs grazed the safe pasture for an additional 43 d after termination of protein supplementation and of oral dosing with parasites. Ewes and their lambs were then moved onto newly established experimental pastures sown with chicory or grass/clover (Lolium perenne/Trifolium repens). During the safe pasture period, HP ewes had decreased fecal egg counts (FEC) compared with LP ewes, whereas HP lambs had temporarily less (P < 0.05) FEC, decreased (P < 0.001) plasma pepsinogen concentrations, and grew faster (P = 0.028) than LP lambs. Lambs grazing chicory had consistently less (P < 0.001) FEC and grew faster (P = 0.013) than lambs grazing grass/clover but had greater (P < 0.001) concentrations of pepsinogen. Pasture larvae counts were decreased (P = 0.07) for the chicory compared with the grass/clover plots. There were no interactions (P > 0.10) between maternal nutrition and grazed forage type on performance or parasitological measurements. Our results suggest that increased maternal protein nutrition and subsequent grazing of chicory independently improve lamb performance and reduce lamb parasitism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Kidane
- Animal Health, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lejeune A, Monahan FJ, Moloney AP, Earley B, Black AD, Campion DP, Englishby T, Reilly P, O'Doherty J, Sweeney T. Peripheral and gastrointestinal immune systems of healthy cattle raised outdoors at pasture or indoors on a concentrate-based ration. BMC Vet Res 2010; 6:19. [PMID: 20356390 PMCID: PMC2864234 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-6-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite an increasing preference of consumers for beef produced from more extensive pasture-based production systems and potential human health benefits from the consumption of such beef, data regarding the health status of animals raised on pasture are limited. The objective of this study was to characterise specific aspects of the bovine peripheral and the gastrointestinal muscosal immune systems of cattle raised on an outdoor pasture system in comparison to animals raised on a conventional intensive indoor concentrate-based system. Results A number of in vitro functional tests of immune cells suggested subtle differences between the animals on the outdoor versus indoor production systems. There was a decrease in the number of neutrophils and monocytes engaged in phagocytosis in outdoor cattle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in comparison to those indoors. Following mitogen stimulation, a lower level of interferon-γ was produced in leukocytes from the outdoor animals (P < 0.05). There was evidence of a gastrointestinal nematode infection in the outdoor animals with elevated levels of serum pepsinogen (P < 0.001), a higher number of eosinophils (P < 0.05) and a higher level of interleukin-4 and stem cell factor mRNA expression (P < 0.05) in the outdoor animals in comparison to the indoor animals. Lower levels of copper and iodine were measured in the outdoor animals in comparison to indoor animals (P < 0.001). Conclusion Despite distinctly contrasting production systems, only subtle differences were identified in the peripheral immune parameters measured between cattle raised at pasture in comparison to animals raised on a conventional intensive indoor concentrate-based production system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Lejeune
- UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lacharme-Lora L, Salisbury V, Humphrey TJ, Stafford K, Perkins SE. Bacteria isolated from parasitic nematodes--a potential novel vector of pathogens? Environ Health 2009; 8 Suppl 1:S17. [PMID: 20102584 PMCID: PMC2796495 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-8-s1-s17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are ubiquitous in soil and water - concurrently so are free-living helminths that feed on bacteria. These helminths fall into two categories; the non-parasitic and the parasitic. The former have been the focus of previous work, finding that bacterial pathogens inside helminths are conferred survival advantages over and above bacteria alone in the environment, and that accidental ingestion of non-parasitic helminths can cause systemic infection in vertebrate hosts. Here, we determine the potential for bacteria to be associated with parasitic helminths. After culturing helminths from fecal samples obtained from livestock the external bacteria were removed. Two-hundred parasitic helminths from three different species were homogenised and the bacteria that were internal to the helminths were isolated and cultured. Eleven different bacterial isolates were found; of which eight were indentified. The bacteria identified included known human and cattle pathogens. We concluded that bacteria of livestock can be isolated in parasitic helminths and that this suggests a mechanism by which bacteria, pathogenic or otherwise, can be transmitted between individuals. The potential for helminths to play a role as pathogen vectors poses a potential livestock and human health risk. Further work is required to assess the epidemiological impact of this finding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lizeth Lacharme-Lora
- School of Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Penn State University, Pennsylvania, PA 16802, USA
| | - Vyv Salisbury
- School of Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Tom J Humphrey
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, BS40 5DU, Bristol, UK
| | - Kathryn Stafford
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, BS40 5DU, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah E Perkins
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Penn State University, Pennsylvania, PA 16802, USA
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Consequences of infection pressure and protein nutrition on periparturient resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta and performance in ewes. Vet Parasitol 2009; 165:78-87. [PMID: 19631470 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 06/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The consequences of protein nutrition on the degree of periparturient relaxation of immunity to nematode parasites in sheep may be more pronounced at higher levels of infection pressure. Here, we investigated interactive effects of metabolizable protein (MP) nutrition and infection pressure on resistance and lactational performance of ewes. Twin-rearing ewes were trickle infected with either 1000, 5000 or 10,000 infective Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae and fed either at 0.8 (low protein, LP) or 1.3 (high protein, HP) times their estimated MP requirement. Expected interactions between feeding treatment and infection pressure were not observed. Periparturient relaxation of immunity, as indicated by variation in faecal egg counts, was higher in LP ewes than in HP ewes and FEC showed an inverse relationship with infection pressure indicating possible density dependency effects on worm fecundity. Plasma pepsinogen concentration linearly increased with infection pressure. Daily total nematode egg excretion, assessed at week three of lactation, was not significantly affected by infection pressure but was reduced by 65% in HP ewes compared to LP ewes. MP supplementation improved lamb performance but had little effect on ewe body weight and plasma protein concentrations, whilst lactational performance, as judged from lamb performance, tended to be reduced with increased infection pressure. The results suggest periparturient MP supplementation to ewes reduces nematode egg excretion independent of infection pressure and improves lactational performance of parasitized ewes even in the presence of moderate MP scarcity.
Collapse
|