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Thorne JW, Redden R, Bowdridge SA, Becker GM, Khilji SF, Xie S, Bentley KL, Murdoch BM. Reducing fecal egg count through selective breeding alters dorper lamb response to Haemonchus contortus in an artificial challenge trial. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110177. [PMID: 38583271 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Infection by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, can be detrimental to sheep health and performance. Genetic susceptibility to GIN varies between breeds, with those lacking high levels of natural resistance often requiring frequent anthelmintic treatment when facing parasitic challenge. Genetic technology can serve as a tool to decrease GIN susceptibility via selection for sheep with reduced fecal egg count (FEC) estimated breeding values (EBVs). However, the physiological changes that result from implementation of this strategy are not well described. Additionally, there is a need for comparison of animals from recent selective breeding against breeds with inherent GIN resistance. In this study we administered a challenge of H. contortus to Dorper x White Dorper (DWD; n = 92) lambs that have been genetically selected for either low (DWD-) or high (DWD+) FEC EBVs and Barbados Blackbelly x Mouflon (BBM; n = 19) lambs from a genetically resistant breed backgrounds. Lamb FEC, packed-cell volume (PCV) and serum IgG were measured at intermittent levels over 5 weeks. At day 21 and day 35, the selectively bred DWD- had a lower mean FEC compared to DWD+, but were higher than BBM. Reductions in both PCV and serum IgG from initial day 0 levels were observed in DWD lambs, but not in BBM. Furthermore, from a subset of lambs (n = 24) harvested at day 21, DWD- only tended (p = 0.056) to have lower mean worm counts than DWD+, with BBM having the lowest mean worm count. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified via RNA-sequencing of abomasal tissue at day 21 indicate a more pronounced Th2 immune response and more rapid worm expulsion occurred in iBBM than iDWD- and iDWD+ lambs. However, gene expression in DWD- suggests an association between reduced FEC EBV and gastric acid secretion and the ability to limit worm fecundity. Ultimately, selection of Dorper sheep for low FEC EBV can reduce susceptibility to GIN, but it will likely require multiple generations with this trait as a breeding priority before presenting a similar resistance level to Caribbean breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W Thorne
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA; Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, San Angelo, TX, USA
| | - Reid Redden
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, San Angelo, TX, USA
| | - Scott A Bowdridge
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Becker
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Sarem F Khilji
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Shangqian Xie
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Kelsey L Bentley
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brenda M Murdoch
- Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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A Review: Haemonchus contortus Infection in Pasture-Based Sheep Production Systems, with a Focus on the Pathogenesis of Anaemia and Changes in Haematological Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101238. [PMID: 35625083 PMCID: PMC9137471 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Infection with Haemonchus contortus parasites (haemonchosis) is an important cause of anaemia in sheep. Haemonchosis is a global problem, although sheep that are kept in warm, high rainfall environments are at the greatest risk of infection due to the favourable conditions for H. contortus survival. Following ingestion, the parasites develop in the abomasum of sheep. Various factors such as age, breed, health, nutritional status, and larval challenge influence the severity of clinical disease. Hyperacute, acute, and chronic haemonchosis are reviewed, focusing on the pathophysiology of haemonchosis, associated clinical signs, and haematological and biochemical findings. Abstract Haemonchosis is an important cause of anaemia in sheep worldwide, particularly those that are kept in pasture-based systems in warm, high rainfall environments. Potential outcomes vary based on the severity of infection and the sheep’s immune response, however, in some sheep infection can lead to death. The consequences of Haemonchus contortus infection mean that it has been well-studied in a range of different farming systems. However, to our knowledge, there has not been a recent review focused on the pathophysiology of anaemia caused by haemonchosis. Thus, this review provides an in-depth discussion of the literature related to the pathophysiology of haemonchosis and associated clinical signs for hyperacute, acute, and chronic haemonchosis. Additionally, haematological and biochemical findings are presented, and various diagnostic methods are assessed.
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Lins JGG, Almeida FA, Albuquerque ACA, Britton C, Amarante AF. Early-onset immune response to Haemonchus contortus infection in resistant Santa Ines suckling lambs compared with susceptible Ile de France. Vet Parasitol 2022; 307-308:109734. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Rooney J, Cortés A, Scotti R, Price DRG, Bartley Y, Fairlie-Clarke K, McNeilly TN, Nisbet AJ, Cantacessi C. Vaccination against the brown stomach worm, Teladorsagia circumcincta, followed by parasite challenge, induces inconsistent modifications in gut microbiota composition of lambs. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:189. [PMID: 33823914 PMCID: PMC8025363 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04688-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Growing evidence points towards a role of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasites of ruminants in modifying the composition of the host gut flora, with likely repercussions on the pathophysiology of worm infection and disease, and on animal growth and productivity. However, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms governing helminth-microbiota interactions and of their impact on host health and welfare relies on reproducibility and replicability of findings. To this aim, in this study, we analysed quantitative and qualitative fluctuations in the faecal microbiota composition of lambs vaccinated against, and experimentally infected with, the parasitic GI nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta over the course of two separate trials performed over two consecutive years. Methods Two trials were conducted under similar experimental conditions in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In each trial, lambs were randomly assigned to one of the following experimental groups: (i) vaccinated/infected, (ii) unvaccinated/infected and (iii) unvaccinated/uninfected. Faecal samples collected from individual animals were subjected to DNA extraction followed by high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and bioinformatics and biostatistical analyses of sequence data. Results Substantial differences in the populations of bacteria affected by immunisation against and infection by T. circumcincta were detected when comparing data from the two trials. Nevertheless, the abundance of Prevotella spp. was significantly linked to helminth infection in both trials. Conclusions Despite the largely conflicting findings between the two trials, our data revealed that selected gut microbial populations are consistently affected by T. circumcincta infection and/or vaccination. Nevertheless, our study calls for caution when interpreting data generated from in vivo helminth-microbiome interaction studies that may be influenced by several intrinsic and extrinsic host-, parasite- and environment-related factors.![]() Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04688-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rooney
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alba Cortés
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Departament de Farmàcia I Tecnologia Farmacèutica I Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Riccardo Scotti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel R G Price
- Vaccines and Diagnostics Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yvonne Bartley
- Vaccines and Diagnostics Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Tom N McNeilly
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Vaccines and Diagnostics Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Magdálek J, Makovický P, Vadlejch J. Nematode-induced pathological lesions and alterations of mucin pattern identified in abomasa of wild ruminants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 14:62-67. [PMID: 33520647 PMCID: PMC7820933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pathological lesions as well as mucin alterations in abomasa infected by nematodes have been thoroughly studied in livestock, but such data from wild ruminants are limited or completely lacking. Pathological data for Ashworthius sidemi, an invasive nematode are particularly rare. We necropsied the abomasa of 21 wild ruminants belonging to five cervid species and detected mixed nematode infections, dominated by A. sidemi. Samples from both gross lesions and mucous membranes without macroscopically apparent pathological alterations were subjected to standard histological procedures and histochemical staining. Histological examination found chronic abomasitis, manifested by edema, and hyperemia. Various degrees of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration were observed in all samples. Initial fibrosis (8/20, 40%) was detected in samples from both gross lesions and areas without macroscopically visible changes. Tissue from hemorrhagic lesions was superficially eroded. Generalized loss of surface polysaccharides was apparent in all samples. Only residual periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue (pH2.5) positivity was detected in the upper abomasal pits and in mucosal neck. This study found that nematode infections, mostly by A. sidemi, caused chronic inflammation and negatively affected abomasal mucin formation in wild ruminants. Histological examination of tissue samples identified nematode-induced abomasitis. Loss of superficial polysaccharides was apparent in all tissue samples. Mainly acidic residual mucins were detected in abomasal pits and mucosal neck zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Magdálek
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Pavol Makovický
- J. Selye University, Faculty of Education, Department of Biology, Bratislavska 3322, 945 01, Komarno, Slovak Republic
| | - Jaroslav Vadlejch
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Barbosa Toscano JH, Okino CH, Barbosa Dos Santos I, Giraldelo LA, Borsch von Haehling M, Novita Esteves S, Bassetto CC, Talamini do Amarante AF, de Souza Chagas AC. Local and systemic immune mediators of Morada Nova lambs with divergent Haemonchus contortus resistance phenotypes. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12790. [PMID: 32894881 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Local and systemic immune mediators of Morada Nova lambs with divergent Haemonchus contortus resistance phenotypes were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS Lambs were ranked through faecal egg counts (FEC) after two parasitic challenges with 4,000 H.contortus L3 . After the second challenge, the lambs underwent a third artificial infection and were euthanized 7 days later. Immune-related genes were quantified locally in abomasal mucosa and lymph nodes (CD4, IFNγ, IL4, IL5, IL13, IL2RA and MS4A2) and systemically in the whole blood (IL4 and IL13). Anti-H. contortus IgG and IgA antibodies and eosinophils and mast cells counts were also investigated. Resistant animals presented higher systemic IgG and IgA titres, both negatively correlated with FEC. Susceptible animals had higher blood levels of IL4 transcripts. At the local level, resistant lambs had higher eosinophils counts and superior MS4A2 levels in abomasal fundic mucosa, besides higher IgA levels in abomasal mucus, while susceptible lamb had superior IL4 expression in abomasal lymph nodes. CONCLUSION These data indicate that resistant lambs had an immune response mediated by antibody-mediated cytotoxicity. Also, the systemic humoral profile, particularly IgA isotype, seems to be a good resistance marker for Morada Nova sheep, as we found differences between groups even when FEC did not differ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Marei Borsch von Haehling
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Salgado JA, Cruz LV, Rocha LOD, Sotomaior CS, Borges TD, Santos CDP. Implication of the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in sheep for better use of available drugs. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2019; 28:700-707. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Abstract The aim here is to present data on the efficacy of anthelmintics in sheep flocks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to discuss the interpretation of the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) for each nematode genus. Fecal eggs counts and pre- and post-treatment coprocultures were performed, the former to evaluate the efficacy of and the latter to determine the overall parasite prevalence. An additional efficacy test was performed at Farm # 1 a year after the initial test. Severe anthelmintic resistance was found for the flocks, with no FECRT sensitivity at any of the 22 farms evaluated. However, an analysis of the infective larvae showed that some drugs were effective against certain parasitic genera; i.e., levamisole was more effective against Haemonchus spp. and moxidectin against Trichostrongylus spp. In the additional FECRT performed at Farm # 1, moxidectin and nitroxynil were ineffective separately, but when applied in combination they were highly effective due to their efficacy against Haemonchus (nitroxynil) and Trichostrongylus (moxidectin), respectively. The use of the FECRT targeting the parasitic nematode species prevalent on farms may make it possible to choose more effective anthelmintics.
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