Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematodes, Cestodes, and Protozoans of Goats in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

Role of Silver Nanoparticles for the Control of Anthelmintic Resistance in Small and Large Ruminants

Helminths are considered a significant threat to the livestock industry, as they cause substantial economic losses in small and large ruminant farming. Their morbidity and mortality rates are also increasing day by day as they have zoonotic importance. Anthelmintic drugs have been used for controlling these parasites; unfortunately, due to the development of resistance of these drugs in helminths (parasites), especially in three major classes like benzimidazoles, nicotinic agonists, and macrocyclic lactones, their use is becoming very low. Although new anthelmintics are being developed, the process is time-consuming and costly. As a result, nanoparticles are being explored as an alternative to anthelmintics. Nanoparticles enhance drug effectiveness, drug delivery, and target specificity and have no resistance against parasites. Different types of nanoparticles are used, such as organic (chitosan) and inorganic (gold, silver, zinc oxide, iron oxide, and nickel oxide). One of them, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), has unique properties in various fields, especially parasitology. AgNPs are synthesized from three primary methods: physical, chemical, and biological. Their primary mechanism of action is causing stress through the production of ROS that destroys cells, organs, proteins, and DNA parasites. The present review is about AgNPs, their mode of action, and their role in controlling anthelmintic resistance against small and large ruminants.

Gastrointestinal parasites in free grazing goats from Ayacucho, Peru: prevalence and risk factors associated with infection in herds

This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasite infection in goats in Ayacucho, Peru. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 254 goats from four districts of Ayacucho: Ocaña (89), Colca (76), Pacaicasa (64), and Luricocha (25) during the dry season; recording the location, sex, and age of the animals. The fecal samples were analyzed using the flotation technique in salt and sugar solution, and modified McMaster egg counting techniques for eggs/oocysts (epg/opg) of gastrointestinal parasites. The associations between location, sex, and age with the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites were analyzed using the chi-square test. Fecal samples showed an overall parasite prevalence of 87.80%. The identified parasites were Eimeria spp. (86.22%), Strongyle type eggs (STE) (65.75%), Skrjabinema spp. (7.87%), Trichuris spp. (3.15%) and Moniezia spp. (3.15%). There was a significant association between the location and the presence of parasites (p < 0.05); where STE was more prevalent in the district of Colca (98.68%); Trichuris spp. in Pacaycasa (9.38%); Skrjabinema spp. (48.00%), Moniezia spp. (12.00%) and Eimeria spp. (100%) were more prevalent in Luricocha. Sex had a significant association with the prevalence of Eimeria spp., Skrjabinema spp. and Moniezia spp. (p < 0.05); while age had a significant association with parasitosis only for Trichuris spp. and Moniezia spp. (p < 0.05). The epg/opg values revealed a higher parasite burden in goats from Colca compared to the other locations (p < 0.05). There was also no statistical relationship between fecal egg/oocyst counts and sex or age, nevertheless, there were moderate and high parasitic burdens. The high prevalence of parasites such as nematodes, cestodes, and coccidia suggests the need to implement strategic control and prevention programs in free-grazing goats. Location and sex were the most relevant risk factors for parasitosis in Ayacucho, Peru.

Gastrointestinal nematodiasis of goats in Somali pastoral areas, Ethiopia

Livestock, mainly goats, are crucial for animal protein, household income, economic security, and wealth creation in the pastoral areas of eastern Ethiopia. However, gastrointestinal parasitosis poses a substantial challenge in this sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gursum district of the Somali region, Ethiopia, to investigate the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats and their associated risk factors. A total of 384 goat fecal samples were collected and examined using flotation and McMaster egg counting techniques for GIT nematodes. Coprological cultures have also been conducted for nematode identification. Fecal samples showed an overall parasite prevalence of 54.17%, with identified nematodes including Haemonchus (24%), Strongyloides (10.4%), Trichostrongles (6.5%), Nematodirus (6%), Oesophagostomum (5.5%) and Trichuris (1.87%). Older and poor body condition animals had higher chances of hosting nematodes than younger (OR = 0.245; CI = 0.144-0.417) and good body condition animals (OR = 0.069; CI = 0.030-0.157), according to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Quantitative examination of eggs revealed light 75(36.06%), moderate 99(47.60%), and heavy infection (n = 34, 16.35%). Analysis of the different study variables indicated that the age and body condition of the animals and the season of the year had a statistically significant association with the prevalence of GIT nematode infections (P-value <0.05). The high prevalence and intensity of GIT nematodiasis in goats from the study area warrants immediate attention and the implementation of strategic control and prevention measures.