[A severe Aspergillus flavus infection in slaughtering chicks and the effect of disinfection with enilconazole: a case study]

In a flock of chicks, the number of birds dying per day from infection with especially Aspergillus flavus increased up to 1% during the second half of the fattening period. Levels of Aspergillus flavus were measured before and after cleaning of the chicken house with the anti-mycotic agent eniconazole (Clinafarm, Janssen Pharmaceutical Company, BV). The cleaning and disinfection schedule followed reduced levels if Aspergillus flavus to zero.

Effect of anthelmintic treatment of dairy cattle on milk production related to some parameters estimating nematode infection

On 31 farms, blood samples were taken from adult dairy cattle in September 1985, when pastured, and in November-December 1985, when stabled, to assess serum pepsinogen levels and level of nematode antibody titres. Faecal samples taken in September were examined to establish the presence of parasites by means of egg counts and larval identification. During the stabling period, dry cows were either treated with ivermectin or with a placebo in alternate sequence of expected calving date. As a result, 285 cows were treated with ivermectin while 242 cows served as controls. Anthelmintic treatment resulted in a significant increase in the 305-day milk production of 205.1 kg (P less than 0.01). Fat and protein percentages were not significantly influenced by anthelmintic treatment. There was a significant between-herd variation in nematode antibody titres and in pepsinogen values. The mean herd milk-production response to treatment correlated positively with the mean herd Ostertagia antibody titre measured in September 1985 (r = 0.364, P less than 0.05).