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Halvarsson P, Grandi G, Hägglund S, Höglund J. Gastrointestinal parasite community structure in horses after the introduction of selective anthelmintic treatment strategies. Vet Parasitol 2024; 326:110111. [PMID: 38218052 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
A relatively new method to study the species richness and diversity of nematode parasites in grazing animals is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of parasites. In this work, we compared species composition of strongyles in two groups of horses as a function of egg count and age, based on a DNA barcoding approach. Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were obtained from nearly 300 horses, i.e., domestic horses (n = 167) and trotters (n = 130) sampled nationwide. The second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) of strongyle nematodes in the larval cultures was first amplified using barcoded universal primers and then sequenced on the PacBio platform. Subsequently, bioinformatic sequence analysis was performed using SCATA to assign operational taxonomic units (OTU). Finally, species occurrence and composition were assessed using R. ITS2 sequences were found in the majority (89%) of larval samples. Sequencing yielded an average of 140 (26 to 503) reads per sample. The OTUs were assigned to 28 different taxa, of which all but three could be identified as species. The average relative abundance of the seven most abundant species (all Cyathostominae) accounted for 87% of the combined data set. The three species with the highest prevalence in both horse groups were Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus and Cylicostephanus calicatus, and they were frequently found in different combinations with other species regardless of horse group. Interestingly, this result is largely consistent with a previous Swedish study based on morphological analysis of adult worms. In addition, two migratory strongylids (Strongylus vulgaris and S. edentatus) occurred in few domestic horses and trotters. Except for C. minutus and C. nassatus, which decreased with age, and C. catinatum and S. vulgaris, which increased, no specific trends were observed with respect to horse age. Taken together, these results are broadly consistent with data obtained before the introduction of selective targeted treatment in Sweden in 2007. All in all, our results suggest that this treatment strategy has not led to a significant change in strongyle nematode community structure in Swedish horses. The study also confirms that nemabiome analysis in combination with diversity index analysis is an objective method to study strongyle communities in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Halvarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden.
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2
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Cortazar-Chinarro M, Richter-Boix A, Rödin-Mörch P, Halvarsson P, Logue JB, Laurila A, Höglund J. Association between the skin microbiome and MHC class II diversity in an amphibian. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17198. [PMID: 37933583 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbiomes play an important role in determining the ecology and behaviour of their hosts. However, questions remain pertaining to how host genetics shape microbiomes, and how microbiome composition influences host fitness. We explored the effects of geography, evolutionary history and host genetics on the skin microbiome diversity and structure in a widespread amphibian. More specifically, we examined the association between bacterial diversity and composition and the major histocompatibility complex class II exon 2 diversity in 12 moor frog (Rana arvalis) populations belonging to two geographical clusters that show signatures of past and ongoing differential selection. We found that while bacterial alpha diversity did not differ between the two clusters, MHC alleles/supertypes and genetic diversity varied considerably depending on geography and evolutionary history. Bacterial alpha diversity was positively correlated with expected MHC heterozygosity and negatively with MHC nucleotide diversity. Furthermore, bacterial community composition showed significant variation between the two geographical clusters and between specific MHC alleles/supertypes. Our findings emphasize the importance of historical demographic events on hologenomic variation and provide new insights into how immunogenetic host variability and microbial diversity may jointly influence host fitness with consequences for disease susceptibility and population persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cortazar-Chinarro
- Animal Ecology/Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- MEMEG/Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science 2020-2207, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Richter-Boix
- Department of Political and Social Science, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Rödin-Mörch
- Animal Ecology/Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - P Halvarsson
- Parasitology/Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J B Logue
- Aquatic Ecology/Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- SLU University Library, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Laurila
- Animal Ecology/Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J Höglund
- Animal Ecology/Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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3
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Höglund J, Daş G, Tarbiat B, Geldhof P, Jansson DS, Gauly M. Ascaridia galli - An old problem that requires new solutions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 23:1-9. [PMID: 37516026 PMCID: PMC10409999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Reports of Ascaridia galli in laying hens in Europe have increased since the ban on conventional battery cages in 2012. As this parasite is transmitted directly via the faecal-oral route by parasite eggs containing a larva, it is reasonable to assume that the escalating problem is related to the increased exposure now occurring in modern welfare-friendly cage-free housing systems. On many farms, A. galli reappears in subsequent flocks, even though the birds have no access to the outdoors, biosecurity is high and empty houses are cleaned and disinfected during downtime. Since the egg production cycle lasts only ≈80 weeks and recombinant antigen production for helminth vaccines has not yet been solved, the development of a vaccine seems to be an unrealistic option. Therefore, disrupting the life cycle of the parasite by other means, including the strategic use of dewormers, appears to be the key to controlling infection. Of concern is that only one class of anthelmintics is licenced for poultry in Europe and that are usually administered indiscriminately through the birds' drinking water and often too late when the parasite is already established. If current calendar-based parasite control strategies are not changed, there is a risk that resistance to anthelmintics may develop, as has already been demonstrated with nematodes in livestock. We insist that treatments can be more effective and the risk of developing drug resistance can be mitigated if we invest in a better understanding of A. galli responses to more prudent and judicious use of anthelmintics. This review identifies knowledge gaps and highlights aspects of sustainable parasite control that require further research to support commercial egg producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gürbüz Daş
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Behdad Tarbiat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Désirée S Jansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Free University of Bolzano, Department of Animal Science, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy.
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Gravdal M, Woolsey ID, Robertson LJ, Höglund J, Chartier C, Stuen S. Benzimidazole-resistance associated mutation in Haemonchus contortus in Norwegian sheep, as detected by droplet digital PCR. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 46:100938. [PMID: 37935539 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus in Norwegian sheep flocks. Screening was based on detection of one of the resistance-conferring mutations in the β tubulin isotype 1 gene (F200Y, TAC) in larvae (L3) cultivated from H. contortus eggs from naturally infected sheep. Faecal samples were collected in 2021/2022 from flocks in the northern (n = 34), central (n = 7), eastern (n = 40), southern (n = 1), and western (n = 87) areas of Norway. In total, samples were taken from 169 flocks (spring-ewes samples: 167, autumn-lambs samples: 134). Individual faecal samples were collected from 10 randomly selected ewes (spring) and 10 randomly selected lambs (autumn) in each flock. Faecal samples collected from each flock on each occasion were pooled (lamb and ewe samples pooled separately) and cultured for L3 development. After harvest of larvae (Baermann method), DNA was extracted and then analysed using droplet digital PCR with primer/probe sets targeting the BZ-associated F200Y (TAC) mutation. Haemonchus was found in 60% (80/134) of samples from lambs, and in 63% (106/167) from ewes. Among these, the F200Y mutation was detected in 73% (58/80) of larval samples from lambs and 69% (73/106) of larval samples from ewes, respectively. Although regional differences were evident, the mutation was detected in all areas indicating a widespread distribution and a strong potential for an increasing problem with treatment-resistant haemonchosis in Norwegian sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Gravdal
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 4325 Sandnes, Norway.
| | - Ian D Woolsey
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Lucy J Robertson
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 4325 Sandnes, Norway
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Pyziel AM, Laskowski Z, Klich D, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Kaczor S, Merta D, Kobielski J, Nowakowska J, Anusz K, Höglund J. Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. Parasitology 2023; 150:956-966. [PMID: 37694391 PMCID: PMC10577652 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202300080x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5–17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7–19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2–18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Dorota Merta
- Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Julita Nowakowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Warsaw, Imaging Laboratory, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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Charlier J, Wang T, Verschave SH, Höglund J, Claerebout E. Review and Evaluation of Ostertagia ostertagi Antibody ELISA for Application on Serum Samples in First Season Grazing Calves. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2226. [PMID: 37444024 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay is widely used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes using milk samples from adult dairy cows. This assay is potentially also useful to analyse serum samples from first-season grazing (FSG) calves, providing a more cost-effective and robust diagnostic technique than the current serum pepsinogen assay. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its use in serum samples from FSG calves has not yet been conducted. In this study, we first reviewed the available scientific literature in which the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA was applied to serum samples from FSG calves. Then, a field study was conducted to compare results from the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay with a serum pepsinogen assay on a set of 230 serum samples from 11 commercial dairy herds (seven in Belgium and four in Sweden). The literature review showed an increase in mean antibody levels, expressed as optical density ratio (ODR) values, from <0.4 (early grazing season) to values of 0.7-1.1 (late grazing season). Three out of five studies found a negative correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels measured during the late grazing season and weight gain, while the other two studies found no correlation between the two variables. Our field studies showed a good correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels and the results from the pepsinogen assay. Both indicators were negatively related to average daily weight gain in the Belgian herds, but not in the Swedish herds. Overall, the results suggest that the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA test can be a useful tool in FSG calves and could replace the use of the serum pepsinogen assay at the end of the grazing season for general monitoring purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tong Wang
- Kreavet, Hendrik Mertensstraat 17, 9150 Kruibeke, Belgium
| | - Sien H Verschave
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Saliburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Saliburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Höglund J, Gustafsson K. Anthelmintic Treatment of Sheep and the Role of Parasites Refugia in a Local Context. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1960. [PMID: 37370470 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing livestock are ubiquitous and can cause severe damage, leading to substantial losses in agricultural yields. It is undeniable that the integrated use of anthelmintics is often an essential component of successful intensive livestock management. However, anthelmintic resistance has been a major challenge for several decades, especially in pasture-based lamb production. Measures are therefore needed to reduce the risk and prevent further spread. In many countries with more extensive lamb production and pronounced resistance problems than in Sweden, the importance of keeping parasites in refugia is emphasised. To ensure that treatment is necessary, the Swedish model is based on deworming certain groups of ewes based on the parasitological results of a faecal examination and then releasing them with their lambs to safe pastures. This is intended to reduce the risk of infection, which ultimately reduces the number of subsequent treatments. Whether this preventive strategy in turn means an increased risk of resistance is debatable. In this review, we explain the importance of parasites in refugia and how they can help delay the development of resistance to anthelmintics. We also discuss how likely it is that our model contributes to an increase in resistance risk and whether there is reason to question whether it is a sustainable strategy in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Baltrušis P, Höglund J. Digital PCR: modern solution to parasite diagnostics and population trait genetics. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:143. [PMID: 37098569 PMCID: PMC10131454 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05756-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic approaches has steadily increased in the field of parasitology in recent decades. The most recent large-scale technological modification of the PCR formula, also known as third-generation PCR, came in the form of digital PCR (dPCR). Currently, the most common form of dPCR on the market is digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Unlike quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), the digital format allows for highly sensitive, absolute quantification of nucleic acid targets and does not require external standards to be included in the developed assays. Dividing each sample into thousands of compartments and using statistical models also eliminates the need for technical replicates. With unprecedented sensitivity and enforcement of binary endpoint reactions, ddPCR not only allows the use of tiny sample volumes (especially important when working with limited amounts of DNA) but also minimises the impact of variations in amplification efficiency and the presence of inhibitors. As ddPCR is characterised by excellent features such as high throughput, sensitivity and robust quantification, it is widely used as a diagnostic tool in clinical microbiology. Due to recent advances, both the theoretical background and the practical, current applications related to the quantification of nucleic acids of eukaryotic parasites need to be updated. In this review, we present the basics of this technology (particularly useful for new users) and consolidate recent advances in the field with a focus on applications to the study of helminths and protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Högberg N, Hessle A, Lidfors L, Höglund J. The effect of weaning age on animal performance in lambs exposed to naturally acquired nematode infections. Vet Parasitol 2023; 316:109900. [PMID: 36863138 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The effects of mixed gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections on animal growth and post-weaning activity patterns were investigated in grazing intact ram lambs when naturally exposed to two different infection levels and weaned at different ages. Ewes and their twin-born lambs were turned-out to graze in two permanent pasture enclosures naturally contaminated with GIN the previous year. Ewes and lambs in the low parasite exposure group (LP) were drenched before turn-out and at weaning, respectively, with 0.2 mg ivermectin per kg body weight, whereas those in the high parasite exposure group (HP) were left untreated. Two weaning ages were applied, early weaning (EW) (10 weeks) and late weaning (LW) (14 weeks), respectively. The lambs were then allocated to one out of four groups based on parasite exposure level and weaning age (EW-HP, n = 12; LW-HP, n = 11; EW-LP, n = 13; LW-LP, n = 13). Body weight gain (BWG) and faecal egg counts (FEC) were monitored, in all groups, from the day of early weaning and every four weeks, for 10 weeks. In addition, nematode composition was determined using droplet digital PCR. Activity patterns measured as Motion Index (MI; the absolute value of the 3D acceleration) and lying time were monitored continuously from the day of weaning until four weeks post-weaning using IceQube® sensors. Statistical analyses were performed in RStudio, using mixed models with repeated measures. BWG was 11% lower in EW-HP compared with EW-LP (P = 0.0079) and 12% lower compared with LW-HP (P = 0.018), respectively. In contrast, no difference in BWG was observed between LW-HP and LW-LP (P = 0.97). The average EPG was higher in EW-HP compared with EW-LP (P < 0.001), as well as in EW-HP compared with LW-HP (P = 0.021), and LW-HP compared with LW-LP (P = 0.0022). The molecular investigation showed that animals in LW-HP had a higher proportion of Haemonchus contortus compared with EW-HP. MI was 19% lower in EW-HP compared with EW-LP (P = 0.0004). Daily lying time was 15% shorter in EW-HP compared with EW-LP (P = 0.0070). In contrast, no difference in MI (P = 0.13) and lying time (P = 0.99) between LW-HP and LW-LP was observed. The results suggest that a delayed weaning age may reduce the adverse effects of GIN infection on BWG. Contrarily, an earlier weaning age may reduce the risk of H. contortus infection in lambs. Moreover, the results demonstrates a potential use of automated behaviour recordings as a diagnostic tool for the detection of nematode infections in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas Högberg
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Sweden.
| | - Anna Hessle
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Sweden
| | - Lena Lidfors
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Sweden
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Baltrušis P, Halvarsson P, Charvet CL, Höglund J. The presence and relative frequency detection of the levamisole-resistance-associated S168T substitution in hco-acr-8 in Haemonchus contortus. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 21:91-95. [PMID: 36774659 PMCID: PMC9945773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic sheep nematodes, among which Haemonchus contortus is often considered to be the most clinically important, exact a significant toll on the animals, not least because of their capacity to evolve drug resistance. Despite decades of research, our understanding of the mechanism of resistance to compounds such as levamisole is fairly limited, which therefore constrains our ability to develop sensitive and efficient molecular diagnostic tools for rapid and accurate resistance detection in field settings. Herein, we investigated the presence and frequency of the newly reported, levamisole-resistance-associated, mutation, yielding a S168T substitution in exon 4 of hco-acr-8, in six different phenotypically described isolates (three susceptible and three resistant), three Swedish field isolates and eight larvae culture samples, the latter two of which originated on farms where levamisole showed complete parasite elimination. For this purpose, we created both an allele-specific and droplet digital PCR approaches and found the mutated allele to be present only in the Kokstad isolate, whereas the other five as well as both the Swedish isolates and larvae cultures displayed only the non-mutated, serine-encoding, allele. While the finding of only the non-mutated allele in the phenotypically susceptible and Swedish isolate and larvae culture samples seemed sensible, we speculate that for the other two phenotypically resistant isolates, different (perhaps secondary) variants are responsible for conferring the resistance to levamisole phenotype, given the polygenic nature of levamisole resistance. All in all, despite the limited number of samples tested here, the mutation causing the S168T substitution in hco-acr-8 represents a plausible levamisole resistance-associated variant in, at least, some isolates of H. contortus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Sabatini GA, de Almeida Borges F, Claerebout E, Gianechini LS, Höglund J, Kaplan RM, Lopes WDZ, Mitchell S, Rinaldi L, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Steffan P, Woodgate R. Practical guide to the diagnostics of ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes, liver fluke and lungworm infection: interpretation and usability of results. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:58. [PMID: 36755300 PMCID: PMC9906602 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05680-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostics of ruminant parasites remains one of the cornerstones for parasite control best practices. Field veterinarians have several techniques at their disposal (fecal egg count, coproculture, FAMACHA®, plasma pepsinogen, ELISA-Ostertagia, ELISA-Fasciola, Baermann and ELISA-Lungworm) for the identification and/or quantification of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and liver fluke infecting small ruminants and cattle. Each of these diagnostic tools has its own strengths and weaknesses and is more appropriate for a specific production operation and/or age of the animal (young and adults). This review focuses on the usability and interpretation of the results of these diagnostic tools. The most advanced technical information on sampling, storage, advantages and limitations of each tool for different types of production operations and animal categories is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Johan Höglund
- grid.6341.00000 0000 8578 2742Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sian Mitchell
- The former Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Perth, UK
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XUniversity of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Pedro Steffan
- Fiel & Steffan Consultores Asociados, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Robert Woodgate
- grid.1010.00000 0004 1936 7304University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
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Tarbiat B, Jansson DS, Höglund J. Implementation of a targeted treatment strategy for the sustainable control of Ascaridia galli infections in laying hens. Vet Rec Open 2022; 9:e37. [PMID: 35663271 PMCID: PMC9152275 DOI: 10.1002/vro2.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ascaridia galli is a widespread problem in cage-free egg production. Sustainable control of nematode infections is a key component in this sector. This study investigates the effect of a treatment strategy against A. galli, aiming to propose a guideline for anthelmintic use on commercial poultry farms. Methods A total of eight flocks of laying hens (a-h) from five commercial poultry farms were included in this study. Faecal samples were collected on a biweekly basis starting at 7-13 weeks post-placement (WPP) and processed using the McMaster method to calculate ascarid egg shedding. Flocks were treated after the threshold of 200 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) was reached. Results The highest initial faecal egg count was 6700 EPG at 11 WPP, whereas the lowest was 50 at 8 WPP. The longest delay to detect A. galli was 7 weeks. The lowest and the highest number of treatments were four and six, respectively. The shortest and longest periods between any two treatments were 5 and 22 weeks, respectively. Conclusions These results suggest that monitoring for A. galli should start at approximately 7 WPP and should be repeated every 8 weeks until hens are 50 weeks old. Treatment should be given only if moderate to high faecal egg counts are observed. Treatments after this point may be repeated every 8 weeks without eventually performing a faecal test. These findings provide practical support to veterinarians and egg producers dealing with ascarid worm infection in laying hens in their production stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behdad Tarbiat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for ParasitologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)UppsalaSweden
| | - Désirée Seger Jansson
- Department of Clinical SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)UppsalaSweden
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial StrategiesNational Veterinary Institute (SVA)UppsalaSweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for ParasitologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)UppsalaSweden
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Halvarsson P, Baltrušis P, Kjellander P, Höglund J. Parasitic strongyle nemabiome communities in wild ruminants in Sweden. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:341. [PMID: 36167594 PMCID: PMC9516825 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05449-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wildlife hosts may serve as reservoirs for strongyles, which can be transmitted to domestic livestock. Therefore, studies evaluating nemabiome compositions in wildlife ruminants are of great use in assessing the possibility of transmission of important nematode pathogens to domestic sheep in Sweden. Methods First, fecal samples were collected from roe deer (n = 125), fallow deer (n = 106), red deer (n = 18) and mouflon (n = 13) in south central Sweden during the hunting season in 2019. Second, after fecal examination samples were cultured and the larvae were harvested, followed by DNA extractions. Third, all samples were barcoded and processed for sequence analysis on the PacBio platform. Finally, bioinformatic sequence analysis was conducted with DADA2, while species diversity and richness, as well as interactions between the different hosts, were calculated and analyzed in R. Results Nematode ITS2 sequences were found in 225 of 262 (86%) samples. In total, 31 taxa were identified, among which 26 (86%) to the species level. These were found in different combinations, among which 24 (77%) occurred in roe deer, 19 (61%) in fallow deer, 20 (65%) in red deer and 10 (32%) in mouflon. Five of the species found are known to be associated with livestock (Chabertia ovina, Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus axei). However, in the present study the relative abundance and prevalence of most of these species were low. The most striking exception was T. axei, which was relatively abundant in all wildlife hosts. Mostly a wide range of wildlife specific nematodes such as Ostertagia leptospicularis and Spiculopteragia spp. were identified including the invasive nematode Spiculopteragia houdemeri, which was found for the first time in red deer, fallow deer, and mouflon in Sweden. The difference in the number of shared species between mouflon and all cervids (n = 6) was less than among all three cervids (n = 8). Conclusion In this study, we investigated the community structure of parasitic intestinal nematodes in four wildlife hosts, and we found that the majority of the parasite species identified were wildlife specific. We also found a new, potentially invasive species not reported before. After comparing the nemabiome of the wildlife hosts in this study with a previous study in sheep from the same geographical region, we conclude that the horizontal transmission potential appears to be relatively low. Still, cross-infections of nematodes between game and sheep cannot be completely ignored. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 7036, 750 05, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 7036, 750 05, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 7036, 750 05, Uppsala, Sweden
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Baltrušis P, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Estimation of the impact of three different bioinformatic pipelines on sheep nemabiome analysis. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:290. [PMID: 35953825 PMCID: PMC9373329 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05399-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has provided an alternative strategy to study the composition of nematode communities with increased resolution and sensitivity. However, the handling and processing of gigabytes worth of amplicon sequence data produced by an NGS platform is still a major hurdle, limiting the use and adoption of faster and more convenient analysis software. Methods In total 32 paired, fecal samples from Swedish sheep flocks were cultured and the larvae subsequently harvested subjected to internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) amplicon sequencing using the PacBio platform. Samples were analyzed with three different bioinformatic pipelines, i.e. the DADA2, Mothur and SCATA pipelines, to determine species composition and richness. Results For the the major species tested in this study (Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcinta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis) neither relative abundances nor species diversity differed significantly between the three pipelines, effectively showing that all three analysis pipelines, although different in their approaches, yield nearly identical outcomes. In addition, the samples analyzed here had especially high frequencies of H. contortus (90–95% across the three pipelines) both before and after sample treatment, followed by T. circumcinta (3.5–4%). This shows that H. contortus is the parasite of primary importance in contemporary Swedish sheep farms struggling with anthelmintic resistance. Finally, although on average a significant reduction in egg counts was achieved post-treatment, no significant shifts in major species relative frequencies occurred, indicating highly rigid community structures at sheep farms where anthelmintic resistance has been reported. Conclusions The findings presented here further contribute to the development and application of NGS technology to study nemabiome compositions in sheep, in addition to expanding our understanding about the most recent changes in parasite species abundances from Swedish sheep farms struggling with anthelmintic resistance. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05399-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Halvarsson P, Gustafsson K, Höglund J. Farmers' perception on the control of gastrointestinal parasites in organic and conventional sheep production in Sweden. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 30:100713. [PMID: 35431071 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A questionnaire was sent to sheep owners in Sweden to get information about anthelmintic drug use. The survey also investigated how respondents experienced problems with gastrointestinal nematode infections (GIN) focusing on Haemonchus contortus. The response rate was 31% and included both conventional and organic farms. The use of anthelmintics was low (45%), among which a majority (76%) drenched ewes on a single occasion, mostly with ivermectin (59%) followed by albendazole (19%). Other drugs were used rarely, however, unawareness of GIN risk was high (19%), especially among respondents with few animals. Anthelmintic dose calculations were done after visual appraisal by 63% and 22% calibrated the equipment before drug delivery, which is worrying since underdosing is a risk factor for the development of anthelmintic resistance. Like with anthelmintics, the perceived risk for GIN increased with herd size both by conventional and organic farmers. Faecal examination for the presence of GIN was done by 65% of the respondents and, among their sheep, H. contortus was or had been diagnosed in 41% of the herds. Irrespective of new stock had been imported from other countries or not, common problems were reported by 5% and 7% of the organic and conventional producers, respectively. Land use and grazing management strategies differed more in relation to herd size than by production form, with a majority (47%) having their sheep grazed in several paddocks, or at least the lambs were moved when separated from the ewes at weaning (25%). In contrast set stocked grazing was mainly reported on smaller farms. Co-grazing with cattle and horses were also frequently reported irrespective of production form, but with cattle to a somewhat greater degree on larger organic farms. Wild cervids, especially roe deer, were frequently observed on sheep pastures (87%). The veterinary involvement was higher on organic (65%) than on conventional farms (53%), and only 5% considered advice unimportant. Still, some conventional and organic producers treated sheeps routinely without a prior diagnosis, against the national regulations. 46% of the respondents drenched new and replacement stock. In conclusion, although some differences were observed between conventional and organic producers, the divergences were mainly due to herd size categories. Furthermore, despite a high veterinary involvement, we identified factors which can contribute to anthelmintic use, such as poor quarantine procedures, and deworming routines that can contribute to anthelmintic resistance in H. contortus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Halvarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, PO Box 7036, SE-750 05 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, PO Box 7036, SE-750 05 Uppsala, Sweden
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Yazwinski T, Höglund J, Permin A, Gauly M, Tucker C. World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP): second edition of guidelines for evaluating the efficacy of anthelmintics in poultry. Vet Parasitol 2022; 305:109711. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Baltrušis P, Doyle SR, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Genome-wide analysis of the response to ivermectin treatment by a Swedish field population of Haemonchus contortus. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 18:12-19. [PMID: 34959200 PMCID: PMC8718930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Haemonchus contortus is a pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode of small ruminants and, in part due to its capacity to develop resistance to drugs, contributes to significant losses in the animal production sector worldwide. Despite decades of research, comparatively little is known about the specific mechanism(s) driving resistance to drugs such as ivermectin in this species. Here we describe a genome-wide approach to detect evidence of selection by ivermectin treatment in a field population of H. contortus from Sweden, using parasites sampled from the same animals before and seven days after ivermectin exposure followed by whole-genome sequencing. Despite an 89% reduction in parasites recovered after treatment measured by the fecal egg count reduction test, the surviving population was highly genetically similar to the population before treatment, suggesting that resistance has likely evolved over time and that resistance alleles are present on diverse haplotypes. Pairwise gene and SNP frequency comparisons indicated the highest degree of differentiation was found at the terminal end of chromosome 4, whereas the most striking difference in nucleotide diversity was observed in a region on chromosome 5 previously reported to harbor a major quantitative trait locus involved in ivermectin resistance. These data provide novel insight into the genome-wide effect of ivermectin selection in a field population as well as confirm the importance of the previously established quantitative trait locus in the development of resistance to ivermectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Stephen R Doyle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Pettersson E, Halvarsson P, Sjölund M, Grandi G, Wallgren P, Höglund J. First report on reduced efficacy of ivermectin on Oesophagostomum spp. on Swedish pig farms. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 25:100598. [PMID: 34474791 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Anthelmintic efficacy was investigated in nine sow herds that had been identified with high faecal egg counts in a prevalence study. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 104 individual sows, and analysed using a centrifugal flotation McMaster technique. Samples positive for strongyle eggs were cultured to third stage larvae (L3) for genus identification and then further identified to Oesophagostomum species by sequencing. Following the initial sample collection, the sows were treated with either fenbendazole (FBZ, n = 5 farms) or ivermectin (IVM, n = 4 farms) at the recommended dosing and sampled again 14 days post treatment. Faecal Egg Count Reduction (FECR) was used to determine the treatment efficacy. With respect to Ascaris suum, the anthelmintic treatment was successful (FECR >90%) on the five farms where this parasite was detected, regardless of what drug had been used. In contrast, 4/9 farms were positive for Oesophagostomum spp. post treatment, out of which three had a FECR of <90%. These three herds had all been treated with injectable IVM. Out of the six farms where treatment showed good efficacy (FECR 95-100%), five herds had used FBZ and one herd IVM. This study is the first to recognise reduced efficacy to IVM on Oesophagostomum spp. in Swedish pigs. Sequencing of the Oesophagostomum L3 showed that both O. dentatum and O. quadrispinulatum were present on 5/9 farms pre-treatment and on 2/9 farms post-treatment, unrelated to what anthelmintic had been used. Given these findings we could not correlate the reduced efficacy by the species of Oesophagostomum present in the herd. Prolonged usage of only one class of anthelmintic may predispose selection of resistance and has been suspected as a cause of treatment failure of porcine Oesophagostomum spp. in other studies. On all three farms showing reduced efficacy, IVM had been used as the sole anthelmintic drug for several years, and two of the farms also used IVM twice or more per year to control sarcoptic mange. A reduced efficacy to the available anthelmintic drugs used in the control of Oesophagostomum spp., may result in a subsequent surge of the possible negative effects caused by this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelie Pettersson
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Sjölund
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giulio Grandi
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Wallgren
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Martin F, Halvarsson P, Delhomme N, Höglund J, Tydén E. Exploring the β-tubulin gene family in a benzimidazole-resistant Parascaris univalens population. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 17:84-91. [PMID: 34467878 PMCID: PMC8406161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Benzimidazole (BZ) drugs are frequently used to treat infections with the equine ascarid Parascaris univalens due to increasing resistance to macrocyclic lactones and pyrantel. Benzimidazole resistance is rare in ascarids in contrast to strongyle parasites where this resistance is widespread. In strongyles, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at codons 167, 198 and 200 in a β-tubulin gene have been correlated to BZ resistance, but little is known about the β-tubulin genes and their possible involvement in BZ resistance in P. univalens and other ascarids. Previously two β-tubulin genes have been identified in P. univalens. In this study, we present five additional β-tubulin genes as well as the phylogenetic relationship of all seven genes to β-tubulins of other clade III and V nematodes. In addition, the efficacy of fenbendazole for treatment of P. univalens on a Swedish stud farm was studied in 2019 and 2020 using faecal egg count reduction test. Reductions varied from 73% to 88%, indicating the presence of a resistant P. univalens population on the farm. The emergence of BZ resistance emphasizes the need for development of molecular markers for rapid and more sensitive detection of resistant populations. We therefore investigated whether possible SNPs at positions 167, 198 or 200 in any of the β-tubulin genes could be used to distinguish between resistant and susceptible P. univalens populations. Amplicon sequencing covering the mutation sites 167, 198 and 200 in all seven β-tubulin genes revealed an absence of SNPs in both resistant and susceptible populations, suggesting that the mechanism behind BZ resistance in ascarids is different from that in strongyle nematodes and the search for a molecular marker for BZ resistance in P. univalens needs to continue. First case of fenbendazole resistance in Parascaris univalens in Europe. The P. univalens β-tubulin family contains seven genes. P. univalens β-tubulin genes cluster with β-tubulins from other clade V nematodes. No resistance associated SNPs were identified in P. univalens β-tubulin genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Martin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Delhomme
- Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Tydén
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Maganira JD, Kidima W, Mwita CJ, Höglund J. Detection of Porcine Cysticercosis in Meat Juice Samples from Infected Pigs. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:851-856. [PMID: 33587230 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis has been generally studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detecting either antigens or antibodies in sera. However, serum is not always readily available. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic potential of meat juice in detecting porcine cysticercosis using a cysticercosis antibody ELISA. METHODS Sera and meat juice samples from 13 different organs/tissues were collected from nine pigs naturally infected with cysticercosis and from six uninfected pigs reared under hygienic conditions. The sensitivity of the cysticercosis antibody ELISA in detecting porcine cysticercosis in meat juice samples was compared to that in serum samples from the same pigs. RESULTS Using sera, cysticercosis was detected in all nine pigs harbouring cysticerci, but not in those reared under hygienic conditions. The sensitivity of the ELISA was highest in meat juice extracted from the diaphragm (100%), heart (89%) and neck muscle (78%) of the nine infected pigs, whereas it varied between 0 and 44% in the other samples. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study for T. solium cysticercosis serology to use meat juice. Our results show that meat juice from pig carcass organs or muscles is a promising diagnostic specimen for the detection of porcine cysticercosis. More studies including a large sample size of pigs with varying degrees of cysticercosis infection are needed to further prove this concept.
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Gravdal M, Robertson LJ, Tysnes KR, Höglund J, Chartier C, Stuen S. Treatment against helminths in Norwegian sheep: a questionnaire-based survey. Parasite 2021; 28:63. [PMID: 34468310 PMCID: PMC10649840 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A questionnaire was distributed to 5487 farmers throughout Norway in order to obtain information about management practices regarding helminth infections in sheep. In addition, the farmers' perceptions of helminths and anthelmintic efficacy were investigated. Most farmers (80%) treated prophylactically against nematodes, and 24% also used prophylactic treatment against Fasciola hepatica. Overall, few farmers (11%) used parasitological analysis as a tool to assess the timing of treatment, but rather based it on other factors such as previous experience (70%). In the surveyed sheep flocks, the use of benzimidazoles was reduced from 2018 (52%) to 2019 (47%) (p < 0.01), whereas the use of macrocyclic lactones increased from 2017 (23%) to 2019 (36%) (p < 0.001). Poor anthelmintic efficacy was suspected by 10% of the farmers, and 11% reported that helminths were an increasing problem in their flocks. The majority of farmers (72%) considered their veterinarian as the most important advisor for treatment of parasites, but reported a high level of uncertainty regarding which parasites were present in their flocks, with unknown status most frequently reported for Haemonchus contortus (71.5%). This is probably related to the fact that very few farmers (15%) regularly test their animals for parasites. The present study provides up-to-date information on treatment practices for helminths in Norwegian sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Gravdal
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Lucy J. Robertson
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Kristoffer R. Tysnes
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology P.O. Box 7036 Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Snorre Stuen
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
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Reslova N, Skorpikova L, Kyrianova IA, Vadlejch J, Höglund J, Skuce P, Kasny M. The identification and semi-quantitative assessment of gastrointestinal nematodes in faecal samples using multiplex real-time PCR assays. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:391. [PMID: 34372893 PMCID: PMC8351436 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04882-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in ruminants is routinely based on morphological/morphometric analysis of parasite specimens recovered by coprological methods, followed by larval culture (LC) techniques. Such an approach is laborious, time-consuming, requires a skilled expert, and moreover suffers from certain limitations. Molecular tools are able to overcome the majority of these issues, providing accurate identification of nematode species and, therefore, may be valuable in sustainable parasite control strategies. METHODS Two multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for specific detection of five main and one invasive GIN species, including an internal amplification control to avoid false-negative results, were designed targeting SSU rRNA and COI genetic markers, as well as established ITS1/2 sequences. The assays were optimized for analysis of DNA extracted directly from sheep faeces and verified for Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Nematodirus battus, Chabertia ovina, and Ashworthius sidemi. Semi-quantitative evaluation of infection intensity was enabled using a plasmid construct and a dilution series of sheep faeces with a known number of nematode eggs. Assays were tested on 44 individually collected faecal samples from three farms, and results were compared to those from faecal egg counts (FEC) using the concentration McMaster technique and LC. RESULTS Multiplex real-time PCR assays showed great specificity to target nematodes. During the analysis of faecal samples, the assays proved to have higher sensitivity in strongylid-type egg detection over FEC by revealing three false-negative samples, while showing moderate agreement in evaluation of infection intensity. The multiplex assays further clarified GIN species identification compared to LC, which had confused determination of Teladorsagia spp. for Trichostrongylus spp. CONCLUSIONS Our multiplex assays proved to be a rapid and accurate approach enabling simultaneous and reliable GIN species identification from faeces and semi-quantitative estimation of the number of eggs present. This approach increases diagnostic value and may add a high degree of precision to evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy, where it is important to identify species surviving after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Reslova
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lucie Skorpikova
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Angela Kyrianova
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Vadlejch
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Philip Skuce
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Martin Kasny
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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23
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Tarbiat B, Enweji N, Baltrusis P, Halvarsson P, Osterman-Lind E, Jansson DS, Höglund J. A novel duplex ddPCR assay for detection and differential diagnosis of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum eggs from chickens feces. Vet Parasitol 2021; 296:109499. [PMID: 34144378 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Since the EU ban on battery cages, many studies have listed Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum as the most common roundworms in the European laying hen population. A complicating factor is that the eggs of these parasites are almost identical. Thus, lack of molecular diagnostic approaches has driven epidemiological studies to take on necropsy for species discrimination, which is labor and cost intensive. Here, we describe a novel diagnostic tool based on droplet digital PCR for simultaneous identification and absolute quantification of the eggs of both of these ascarids in chickens' droppings using two different genus-specific primer-probe sets targeting the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-2) in the nuclear ribosomal (rRNA) gene array. No cross-reaction was observed when different combinations of DNA and species-specific primers and probes were tested. The lowest obtained frequency threshold for the detection of H. gallinarum in the presence of a constant A. galli DNA concentration was determined to be 0.8 %. After validation, we used the assay to analyze field samples collected from several Swedish laying hen farms. Out of 134 samples, 86 (64 %) were positive for A. galli while 11 (8.3 %) samples were positive for H. gallinarum. These samples were initially analyzed with flotation technique for detection of ascarid eggs. The results of the Cohen's kappa indicated substantial agreement (85.8 %) between the two tests. In conclusion, we have validated a novel molecular-based diagnostic tool for quantification and differentiation between intestinal parasites of major importance in chickens with high precision. Although this study focuses on identification of parasites of laying hens, the findings may well have a bearing on all types of chicken production systems. The present study lays the groundwork for future research into epidemiology of these two important chicken parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Tarbiat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - N Enweji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - P Baltrusis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - P Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Osterman-Lind
- Department of Microbiology, Section for Parasitological Diagnostics, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - D S Jansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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24
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Grandi G, Victorsson I, Osterman-Lind E, Höglund J. Occurrence of Endoparasites in Adult Swedish Dogs: A Coprological Investigation. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:691853. [PMID: 34179177 PMCID: PMC8221392 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.691853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of endoparasites in Swedish adult dogs (n = 303) was investigated between January and October 2014. Included dogs had to be clinically healthy, older than 1 year and untreated with anthelmintics or endectocides for at least 3 months prior to sampling. They were grouped according to age, category of dog and time since last antiparasitic treatment. Samples were analyzed by flotation to detect parasitic eggs and cysts/oocysts. Among these, 129 (43%) dogs were also analyzed with the Baermann-technique to detect cardiopulmonary larval stages. Parasite dispersal stages were found in 24 (7.9%, CI 95% 4.9–10.1) of the dogs at flotation, while no dog shed cardiopulmonary larval stages. Giardia sp. cysts were observed in 2.6% (n = 8) of dogs examined, cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were observed in 0.6% (n = 2), oocysts of Cystosisopora ohioensis were found in one dog (0.3%). Eggs of Toxocara canis (2.3%, n = 7), Uncinaria stenocephala (1.3%, n = 4) and Trichuris vulpis (0.3%, one dog) were found. None of the dogs were diagnosed with more than one species. Although the occurrence of endoparasites was above the average in dogs ≤ 2 years of age (11.5%), nematodes were more common in older dogs ≥4 years (77.0%). Although the occurrence was lower in working/exhibition dogs (5.9%) than in companion dogs (8.4%) and hunting-dogs (8.6%), these differences were not significant. However, dogs exposed to prey according to the owner had a statistically significant higher prevalence than other dogs (20.5 vs. 5.7%). The Odds Ratio (OR) was 4.0 (CI 95%, 1.58–10.11) for dogs having access to prey, 2.4 (CI 95%, 0.37–8.06) for dogs staying at day-care, and 2 (CI 95%, 0.96–5.96) for bitches. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between infection with nematodes and exposures to prey (p = 0.006). As a reference, data on the endoparasites in canine fecal samples submitted to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA, Uppsala) during 2014 are presented. Overall, this study shows a low occurrence of endoparasites among dogs in Sweden. Any risk-assessment on zoonotic parasites as well as deworming recommendations will take advantage from these updated figures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Grandi
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Eva Osterman-Lind
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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25
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Högberg N, Hessle A, Lidfors L, Baltrušis P, Claerebout E, Höglund J. Subclinical nematode parasitism affects activity and rumination patterns in first-season grazing cattle. Animal 2021; 15:100237. [PMID: 34091226 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickness behaviour has been suggested as an applicable indicator for monitoring disease. Deviating feeding behaviour and activity can provide information about animals' health and welfare status. Recent advances in sensor technology enable monitoring of such behaviours and could potentially be utilized as an indicator of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections. This study investigated activity and rumination patterns in first-season grazing steers exposed to subclinical infection levels of the GIN Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. At turnout, animals were allocated to one of four experimental groups and were faced with "high" (H1, n = 15; H2, n = 17) or "low" (L1, n = 17; L2, n = 11) levels of parasite exposure by grazing in similar enclosures contaminated with overwintering third stage (L3) GIN larvae. Animals in H1 and H2 (HP) received a 1:1 mix of approximately 10,000 O. ostertagi and C. oncophora L3 at turnout; whereas the animals in L1 and L2 (LP) were treated monthly with ivermectin. Activity and rumination patterns were monitored by fitting animals with leg- (IceQube) and neck-mounted (Heatime) sensors. BW was recorded every fortnight, whereas faecal and blood samples were examined every four weeks for nematode faecal egg count and serum pepsinogen concentrations (SPCs). There was an interaction effect of exposure level and period (P < 0.0001) on average lying daily time across the entire grazing time. A higher mean daily lying time (P = 0.0037) was found in HP compared with LP during the first 40 days on pasture. There was also interaction effects of treatment and day since turnout on rumination time (P < 0.0001) and rumination change (P = 0.0008). Also mean daily steps (P < 0.0001) and mean daily motion index (P < 0.0001) were markedly higher in HP during days 62-69, coinciding with peaking SPC in HP. Strongyle eggs were observed both in HP and LP from 31 days after turnout. Eggs per gram (EPG) differed between parasite exposure levels (P < 0.0001), with mean EPG remaining low in LP throughout the experiment. Similarly, an increase in SPC was observed (P < 0.0001), but only in HP where it peaked at day 56. In contrast, no difference in BW gain (BWG) (P = 0.78) between HP and LP was observed. In conclusion, this study shows that behavioural measurements monitored with sensors were affected even at low infection levels not affecting BWG. These combined results demonstrate the potential of automated behavioural recordings as a tool for detection of subclinical parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas Högberg
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Parasitology Unit, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Anna Hessle
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Box 234, 532 23 Skara, Sweden
| | - Lena Lidfors
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Box 234, 532 23 Skara, Sweden
| | - Paulius Baltrušis
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Parasitology Unit, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Parasitology Unit, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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26
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Beleckė A, Kupčinskas T, Stadalienė I, Höglund J, Thamsborg SM, Stuen S, Petkevičius S. Anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants in the Nordic-Baltic region. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:18. [PMID: 33906690 PMCID: PMC8085717 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00583-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants result in production losses, and consequently economic losses, and are an animal welfare problem in most countries in the Nordic-Baltic region. Intensive use of anthelmintics to control helminth infections has led to anthelmintic resistance (AR), which has become a major issue in many European countries. Several studies have been performed in countries in the Nordic-Baltic region (e.g. Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Lithuania) showing increasing/emerging levels of AR. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the problem of AR on sheep and goat farms in the Nordic-Baltic region. This region has a limited number of registered anthelmintics. However, researchers in this area have discovered some surprising findings, such as ivermectin (IVM) resistance on a farm that had never used IVM. In Sweden there is evidence of macrocyclic lactone (ML)-resistant Haemonchus contortus being introduced with sheep imported from the Netherlands. As elsewhere in the world, the livestock trade appears to be contributing to the spread of AR in the region and isolated cases of multidrug-resistant cases have also been reported. This is surprising given that the frequency of treatments here is much lower than in other countries where sheep production is economically more important. The prevailing nematodes are Haemonchus, Teledorsagia and Trichostrongylus, while on some farms Haemonchus is dominant and clinical haemonchosis has increasingly been observed in recent decades. The reasons for this are unclear, but are probably related to this parasite's propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance and a general lack of awareness of the problem, possibly in combination with global warming and the increased livestock trade within the EU. In addition, domestic interactions through contacts with wildlife ruminants, alpacas may also be a contributing factor for transmission of AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnė Beleckė
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Kupčinskas
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Inga Stadalienė
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stig Milan Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Svebastadveien 112, 4325 Sandnes, Norway
| | - Saulius Petkevičius
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
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27
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Baltrušis P, Charvet CL, Halvarsson P, Mikko S, Höglund J. Using droplet digital PCR for the detection of hco-acr-8b levamisole resistance marker in H. contortus. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 15:168-176. [PMID: 33799059 PMCID: PMC8044644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The nematode Haemonchus contortus is one of the most prevalent and pathogenic parasites in small ruminants. Although usually controlled using anthelmintics, the development of drug resistance by the parasite has become a major issue in livestock production. While the molecular detection of benzimidazole resistance in H. contortus is well developed, the molecular tools and protocols are far less advanced for the detection of levamisole resistance. The hco-acr-8 gene encodes a critical acetylcholine susceptible subunit that confers levamisole-sensitivity to the receptor. Here, we report the development of a droplet digital PCR assay as a molecular tool to detect a 63 bp deletion in the hco-acr-8 that has been previously associated with levamisole resistance. Sanger sequencing of single adult H. contortus yielded 56 high-quality consensus sequences surrounding the region containing the deletion. Based on the sequencing data, new primers and probes were designed and validated with a novel droplet digital PCR assay for the quantification of the deletion containing “resistant” allele in genomic DNA samples. Single adult worms from six phenotypically described isolates (n = 60) and from two Swedish sheep farms (n = 30) where levamisole was effective were tested. Even though a significant difference in genotype frequencies between the resistant and susceptible reference isolates was found (p = 0.01), the homozygous “resistant” genotype was observed to be abundantly present in both the susceptible isolates as well as in some Swedish H. contortus samples. Furthermore, field larval culture samples, collected pre- (n = 7) and post- (n = 6) levamisole treatment on seven Swedish sheep farms where levamisole was fully efficacious according to Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test results, were tested to evaluate the frequency of the “resistant” allele in each. Frequencies of the deletion ranged from 35 to 80% in the pre-treatment samples, whereas no amplifiable H. contortus genomic DNA was detected in the post-treatment samples. Together, these data reveal relatively high frequencies of the 63 bp deletion in the hco-acr-8 both on individual H. contortus and field larval culture scales, and cast doubt on the utility of the deletion in the hco-acr-8 as a molecular marker for levamisole resistance detection on sheep farms. Acr8b – levamisole resistance marker investigated in single worms and larval cultures. Individuals homozygous for acr8b found more commonly, even in susceptible isolates. Levamisole treatment efficacy was unaffected by increased acr8b frequencies in larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sofia Mikko
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Sheep nemabiome diversity and its response to anthelmintic treatment in Swedish sheep herds. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:114. [PMID: 33602321 PMCID: PMC7890823 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A novel way to study the species composition and diversity of nematode parasites in livestock is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of different species. Herein we describe for the first time the nematode community structures (nemabiomes) inhabiting Swedish sheep and how these are/were affected by host age and recent anthelmintic treatments. Methods A total of 158 fecal samples were collected (n = 35 in 2007 and n = 123 in 2013–2016) and cultured from groups of sheep on 61 commercial farms in the south-central part of the country where most animals are grazed. Among the samples, 2 × 44 (56%) were paired collections from the same groups pre- and post-treatment with anthelmintics such as macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles or levamisole. Samples were analyzed for their nemabiome using the PacBio platform followed by bioinformatic sequence analysis with SCATA. Species richness and diversity were calculated and analyzed in R. Results Nematode ITS2 sequences were found in all larval culture samples except two, even though the fecal egg counts were below the McMaster threshold in 20 samples. Sequencing yielded, on average, 1008 sequences per sample. In total, 16 operational taxonomical units (OTU), all with ≥ 98 % identity to sequences in the NCBI database, were recognized. The OTUs found represented nematode species of which ten are commonly associated with sheep. Multiple species were identified in all pre-anthelmintic treatment larval culture samples. No effects on nematode diversity were found in relation to host age. On the other hand, recent anthelmintic treatment lowered species richness, especially after use of ivermectin and albendazole. Interestingly, despite zero egg counts after use of levamisole, these samples still contained nematode DNA and especially H. contortus. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that nemabiome analysis combined with diversity index analysis provides an objective methodology in the study of the efficacy of anthelmintic treatment as both high and low abundant species were detected.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
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29
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Pettersson E, Sjölund M, Wallgren T, Lind EO, Höglund J, Wallgren P. Management practices related to the control of gastrointestinal parasites on Swedish pig farms. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:12. [PMID: 33472698 PMCID: PMC7816406 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Internal parasites are common in pigs worldwide and may induce clinical disease or subclinical infections with negative effects such as poor weight gain and reduced welfare, which in turn affect productivity. Effective parasite control to reduce the negative impact of parasitic infections demands a combination of antiparasitic drugs as well as various hygiene and biosecurity practices. The aim of this study was to obtain information on current management practices and parasite control routines used on Swedish pig farms using an online questionnaire. Results Antiparasitic drugs were used on 69% of the farms routinely and were mainly administered to sows just prior to farrowing. Less than 5% of the herds conducted faecal analysis for parasites. Batchwise, age segregated rearing was common and overall, it was practiced for piglets, growers, and fatteners on 88, 80 and 75% of the farms, respectively. Large and medium sized farms appeared to apply stricter hygiene and biosecurity measures to the growing pigs compared to small farms. Dry sows were mainly housed in groups on deep litter straw beds and cleaning, as well as disinfection, between each group was less common compared to what was practiced for growing pigs. Outdoor access was rare and only occurred on organic and small farms. Most of the farms, 54, 74 and 82% of small, medium, and large sized herds respectively, reported to have less than 5% white spot lesions, caused by migrating A. suum larvae, registered at slaughter. Conclusion Several risk factors for parasite infections, such as bedding material, group housing and solid floors, are mandatory requirements by national law. However, it was evident from this study that although strategic hygiene and biosecurity practices appeared common, they were not practiced in all herds and less so for dry sows. Antiparasitic drugs were used frequently and mainly through routine prophylactic treatments without prior testing for parasites. A holistic approach is necessary when designing efficient parasite control programs, and it is essential that management factors and routine monitoring of parasites are given attention. This to achieve efficient parasite control and reduce the risk of unnecessary use of antiparasitic drugs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40813-021-00193-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelie Pettersson
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marie Sjölund
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Torun Wallgren
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7076, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Wallgren
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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30
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Rose Vineer H, Morgan ER, Hertzberg H, Bartley DJ, Bosco A, Charlier J, Chartier C, Claerebout E, de Waal T, Hendrickx G, Hinney B, Höglund J, Ježek J, Kašný M, Keane OM, Martínez-Valladares M, Mateus TL, McIntyre J, Mickiewicz M, Munoz AM, Phythian CJ, Ploeger HW, Rataj AV, Skuce PJ, Simin S, Sotiraki S, Spinu M, Stuen S, Thamsborg SM, Vadlejch J, Varady M, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Rinaldi L. Increasing importance of anthelmintic resistance in European livestock: creation and meta-analysis of an open database. Parasite 2020; 27:69. [PMID: 33277891 PMCID: PMC7718593 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminant production systems, and are responsible for significant costs and production losses. Anthelmintic Resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe, although there are still gaps in our knowledge in some regions and countries. AR is a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock production, resulting in reduced productivity, compromised animal health and welfare, and increased greenhouse gas emissions through increased parasitism and farm inputs. A better understanding of the extent of AR in Europe is needed to develop and advocate more sustainable parasite control approaches. A database of European published and unpublished AR research on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) was collated by members of the European COST Action "COMBAR" (Combatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants), and combined with data from a previous systematic review of AR in GIN. A total of 197 publications on AR in GIN were available for analysis, representing 535 studies in 22 countries and spanning the period 1980-2020. Reports of AR were present throughout the European continent and some reports indicated high within-country prevalence. Heuristic sample size-weighted estimates of European AR prevalence over the whole study period, stratified by anthelmintic class, varied between 0 and 48%. Estimated regional (country) prevalence was highly heterogeneous, ranging between 0% and 100% depending on livestock sector and anthelmintic class, and generally increased with increasing research effort in a country. In the few countries with adequate longitudinal data, there was a tendency towards increasing AR over time for all anthelmintic classes in GIN: aggregated results in sheep and goats since 2010 reveal an average prevalence of resistance to benzimidazoles (BZ) of 86%, macrocyclic lactones except moxidectin (ML) 52%, levamisole (LEV) 48%, and moxidectin (MOX) 21%. All major GIN genera survived treatment in various studies. In cattle, prevalence of AR varied between anthelmintic classes from 0-100% (BZ and ML), 0-17% (LEV) and 0-73% (MOX), and both Cooperia and Ostertagia survived treatment. Suspected AR in F. hepatica was reported in 21 studies spanning 6 countries. For GIN and particularly F. hepatica, there was a bias towards preferential sampling of individual farms with suspected AR, and research effort was biased towards Western Europe and particularly the United Kingdom. Ongoing capture of future results in the live database, efforts to avoid bias in farm recruitment, more accurate tests for AR, and stronger appreciation of the importance of AR among the agricultural industry and policy makers, will support more sophisticated analyses of factors contributing to AR and effective strategies to slow its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rose Vineer
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE UK
| | - Eric R. Morgan
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Biological Sciences 19 Chlorine Gardens Belfast BT9 5DL UK
| | | | - David J. Bartley
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan Penicuik, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Antonio Bosco
- University of Naples Federico II, Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1 80137 Napoli Italy
| | | | | | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University B9820 Merelbeke Belgium
| | - Theo de Waal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin Dublin D04 W6F6 Ireland
| | | | - Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Vetmeduni Vienna Veterinärplatz 1 1210 Vienna Austria
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology P.O. Box 7036 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Jožica Ježek
- Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana Gerbičeva 60 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno 611 37 Czech Republic
| | - Orla M. Keane
- Animal Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93 Ireland
| | | | - Teresa Letra Mateus
- CISAS – Centre for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Àlvares 4900-347 Viana do Castelo Portugal
- EpiUnit – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Rua das Taipas, nº 135 4050-091 Porto Portugal
| | - Jennifer McIntyre
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate Glasgow G61 1QH UK
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences Nowoursynowska 159c 02-776 Warsaw Poland
| | - Ana Maria Munoz
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária – Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias Av. Campo Grande 376 1749-024 Lisbon Portugal
| | - Clare Joan Phythian
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Harm W. Ploeger
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Yalelaan 1 3584 CL Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana Gerbičeva 60 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Philip J. Skuce
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan Penicuik, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Stanislav Simin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad 21101 Novi Sad Republic of Serbia
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Section for Parasitology, HAO-DEMETER, Thermi 57001 Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Marina Spinu
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca 400372 Romania
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Stig Milan Thamsborg
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen DK-1870 Frederiksberg C Denmark
| | - 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
| | - Marian Varady
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Kosice 040 01 Slovakia
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7–13 14163 Berlin Germany
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- University of Naples Federico II, Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1 80137 Napoli Italy
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Baltrušis P, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Utilization of droplet digital PCR to survey resistance associated polymorphisms in the β tubulin gene of Haemonchus contortus in sheep flocks in Sweden. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Charlier J, Rinaldi L, Musella V, Ploeger HW, Chartier C, Rose Vineer H, Hinney B, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Băcescu B, Mickiewicz M, Mateus TL, Martinez-Valladares M, Quealy S, Azaizeh H, Sekovska B, Akkari H, Petkevicius S, Hektoen L, Höglund J, Morgan ER, Bartley DJ, Claerebout E. Corrigendum to "Initial assessment of the economic burden of major parasitic helminth infections to the ruminant livestock industry in Europe" [Prev. Vet. Med. 182 (2020) 105103]. Prev Vet Med 2020; 188:105213. [PMID: 33261929 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Charlier
- Kreavet, H. Mertensstraat 17, 9150 Kruibeke, Belgium.
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - V Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", CISVetSUA, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - H W Ploeger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Clinical Infectiology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C Chartier
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44307, Nantes, France
| | - H Rose Vineer
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - B Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - G von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - B Băcescu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spiru Haret University, Blv. Basarabia 256, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - T L Mateus
- CISAS - Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun'Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; EpiUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
| | - M Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, 24236 Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - S Quealy
- VirtualVet, Grenan Upper, Kilmacthomas, Co., Waterford, Ireland
| | - H Azaizeh
- Institute of Applied Research, University of Haifa, The Galilee Society P.O. Box 437, Shefa-Amr 20200, Israel; Tel Hai College, Department of Environmental Sciences, Upper Galilee 12210, Israel
| | - B Sekovska
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - H Akkari
- Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - S Petkevicius
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Hektoen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, 0102 Oslo, Norway
| | - J Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E R Morgan
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, 19, Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - D J Bartley
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - E Claerebout
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Pyziel AM, Laskowski Z, Dolka I, Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Nowakowska J, Klich D, Bielecki W, Żygowska M, Moazzami M, Anusz K, Höglund J. Large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) recovered from the European bison may represent a new nematode subspecies. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 13:213-220. [PMID: 33209582 PMCID: PMC7658659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the Dictyocaulus lungworm, the agent of dictyocaulosis, is one of parasitological threats to European bison, its systematic position remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological features of the lungworm and the pathological lesions it induces, and to analyse mitochondrial (mt) genetic markers for systematic and molecular epidemiological studies. The morphological findings indicate that Dictyocaulus lungworms of European bison can be distinguished from those of cattle on the basis of differences in buccal capsule wall length, total body length, and spicules length in males, all of which were significantly longer in those of European bison. Nucleotide diversity calculated from pairwise sequence alignments of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome B (cytB) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) of specimens from cattle and European bison varied from 1.7% for nad5, 2.1% for cytB, to 3.7% for cox1 gene. Thus, among the lungworms of European bison and cattle, nad5 and cytB were the most conserved proteins, whereas cox1 was the most diverse. The mt cytB marker gene may be a suitable candidate for distinguishing between the two genotypes, as nad5 demonstrated the greatest within-genus sequence variation. The lung tissue of infected European bison manifests signs of verminous pneumonia characterized by interstitial pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Therefore, it appears that European bison and cattle are infected with slightly diverged, morphologically-different, genotypes of D. viviparus, indicating they belong to two separate worm populations. We propose, therefore, that the lungworm of European bison should be classified as D. viviparus subsp. bisontis. European bison harbour a unique morphotype and genotype of Dictyocaulus viviparus. Mt cytB is an efficient genetic marker for studying large lungworms in bovids. European bison lungworm can be classified as D. viviparus subsp. bisontis. Pathologies induced by a newly described nematode subspecies mirrored those of lungworm in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Pyziel
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabella Dolka
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Animal Pathology, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Julita Nowakowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Warsaw, Laboratory of Electron & Confocal Microscopy, Miecznikowa 1, 20-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Bielecki
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Avian Diseases, Exotic Animals and Fish, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Żygowska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Madeleine Moazzami
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Bacteriology and Food Safety, Box 7035, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Parasitology, Box 7035, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
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Maurelli MP, Dourado Martins OM, Morgan ER, Charlier J, Cringoli G, Mateus TL, Bacescu B, Chartier C, Claerebout E, de Waal T, Helm C, Hertzberg H, Hinney B, Höglund J, Kyriánová IA, Mickiewicz M, Petkevičius S, Simin S, Sotiraki S, Tosheska M, Toth M, Martínez-Valladares M, Varady M, Sekovska B, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Rinaldi L. A Qualitative Market Analysis Applied to Mini-FLOTAC and Fill-FLOTAC for Diagnosis of Helminth Infections in Ruminants. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:580649. [PMID: 33195595 PMCID: PMC7642452 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.580649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections, mainly by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), are one of the main concerns for animal health, welfare and productivity in grazing ruminant livestock worldwide. The use of a sensitive, precise, accurate, low-cost, and easy-to-perform copromicroscopic technique is of pivotal importance to perform reliable fecal egg count (FEC) and fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), in order to determine the need of anthelmintic treatment, but also anthelmintic efficacy or resistance. This approach is fundamental to a correct and efficient control of GIN. Unfortunately, in worldwide ruminant farm practice, repeated anthelmintic treatments are carried out, without prior diagnosis of infection, contributing to the spread of Anthelmintic Resistance (AR). Tackling this phenomenon, improving mainly the GIN diagnosis and AR status in farm animals, is a priority of the European COST Action “COMBAR—COMBatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants” and of the STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium on Animal Health. One of the specific objectives of the COMBAR Working Group 1 (WG1) is to conduct an European market analysis of new diagnostics and develop a business plan for commercial test introduction, leveraging technical know-how of participants. Since the Mini-FLOTAC in combination with the Fill-FLOTAC may be considered a good candidate for a standardized FEC and FECRT in the laboratory, as well as directly in the field, the aim of this study was to conduct SWOT (Strength—Weaknesses—Opportunities—Threats) and PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) analyses of these tools in 20 European countries involved in the COMBAR WG1, in order to identify the opportunities, barriers, and challenges that might affect the Mini-FLOTAC and Fill-FLOTAC commercialization in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Eric R Morgan
- Institute of Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Letra Mateus
- CISAS-Centre for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Àlvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal.,EpiUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bogdan Bacescu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spiru Haret University, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Theo de Waal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christina Helm
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Iveta Angela Kyriánová
- Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Stanislav Simin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | | | - Mariann Toth
- Institutes of Agricultural Research and Educational Farm, Research Institute of Karcag, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Marian Varady
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Blagica Sekovska
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | | | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Höglund J, Enweji N, Gustafsson K. First case of monepantel resistant nematodes of sheep in Sweden. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 22:100479. [PMID: 33308757 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we describe for the first time monepantel (MOP) resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in a Swedish sheep flock. On the farm, which had recurrent problems with Haemonchus contortus infection, the efficacy of most available anthelmintics (AH) in Sweden (i.e. ivermectin, albendazole, levamisole and monepantel), was monitored. This was done with the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) on three different occasions between August 2017 and April 2020. Although, MOP was used in ewes for the first time in this herd in October 2018 and then demonstrated to be highly efficacious (100% reduction), MOP-resistant worms (52% reduction) appeared in lambs already in April 2020. Resistance was detected only after two further rounds of treatment of the lambs after weaning. It is assumed that a contributing factor to this extremely rapid development was related to the fact that ewes and lambs treated during the housing period were let out on clean pasture after treatment. The ewes were treated during the housing period 2018 and grazed a clean pasture the following spring. The same ewes were treated a second time after housing 2018. The lambs were grazed with these ewes in summer 2018 and after weaning they were treated and moved to another clean pasture during the fall 2018. Anthelmintic resistance was also confirmed on two occasions to different compounds of ivermectin and once to albendazole, but not to levamisole which was tested twice. In conclusion, this is the first description of triple resistance to AH drugs in GIN of sheep in Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Nizar Enweji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Box 7036. 750 07 Uppsala - Sweden
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Tarbiat B, Jansson DS, Wall H, Tydén E, Höglund J. Effect of a targeted treatment strategy against Ascaridia galli on egg production, egg quality and bird health in a laying hen farm. Vet Parasitol 2020; 286:109238. [PMID: 32949864 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Worm control is an important aspect of the successful management of the egg production industry. Of particular concern is Ascaridia galli, which at high parasite loads affect health and production in layers. Application of a targeted treatment strategy (TT) to control A. galli has shown promise. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of such a strategy on welfare indicators and production performance of layers. Six flocks (F1-6) on a commercial farm were allocated to three treatment groups. Flocks F1 and F4 were treated (TT) with fenbendazole at 22, 27 and 36 weeks post-placement (WPP). Flocks F2 and F5 were treated at 27 WPP (conventional treatment, CT) and hens in flocks F3 and F6 served as untreated (UT) control groups. At 19, 35 and 45 WPP twenty-five hens plus thirty eggs per flock were randomly selected. Hens were weighed and their plumage conditions (PC) were assessed. The eggs were subjected to various external and interior quality analyses. Production data such as number of eggs/hen/week, egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated from raw data obtained from all flocks on a weekly basis. The number of eggs/hen/week, egg mass and FCR were higher (P < 0.05) in the TT flocks and hens had better PC both at 35 and 45 WPP compared with other flocks. No differences in body weight and physical egg quality were observed between groups except for egg shell strength which was higher (P < 0.05) in the CT flocks. These data suggest that better production performance and plumage, which suggests improved health, can be achieved through the application of a TT strategy. The insights gained from this research should help to justify the extra cost and labor associated with the TT strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Tarbiat
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036 SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - D S Jansson
- National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7054, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - H Wall
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, P.O. Box 7024, SE -750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Tydén
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036 SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036 SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Charlier J, Rinaldi L, Musella V, Ploeger HW, Chartier C, Vineer HR, Hinney B, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Băcescu B, Mickiewicz M, Mateus TL, Martinez-Valladares M, Quealy S, Azaizeh H, Sekovska B, Akkari H, Petkevicius S, Hektoen L, Höglund J, Morgan ER, Bartley DJ, Claerebout E. Initial assessment of the economic burden of major parasitic helminth infections to the ruminant livestock industry in Europe. Prev Vet Med 2020; 182:105103. [PMID: 32750638 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We report a European wide assessment of the economic burden of gastrointestinal nematodes, Fasciola hepatica (common liver fluke) and Dictyocaulus viviparus (bovine lungworm) infections to the ruminant livestock industry. The economic impact of these parasitic helminth infections was estimated by a deterministic spreadsheet model as a function of the proportion of the ruminant population exposed to grazing, the infection frequency and intensity, the effect of the infection on animal productivity and mortality and anthelmintic treatment costs. In addition, we estimated the costs of anthelmintic resistant nematode infections and collected information on public research budgets addressing helminth infections in ruminant livestock. The epidemiologic and economic input data were collected from international databases and via expert opinion of the Working Group members of the European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) action COMbatting Anthelmintic Resistance in ruminants (COMBAR). In order to reflect the effects of uncertainty in the input data, low and high cost estimates were obtained by varying uncertain input data arbitrarily in both directions by 20 %. The combined annual cost [low estimate-high estimate] of the three helminth infections in 18 participating countries was estimated at € 1.8 billion [€ 1.0-2.7 billion]. Eighty-one percent of this cost was due to lost production and 19 % was attributed to treatment costs. The cost of gastrointestinal nematode infections with resistance against macrocyclic lactones was estimated to be € 38 million [€ 11-87 million] annually. The annual estimated costs of helminth infections per sector were € 941 million [€ 488 - 1442 million] in dairy cattle, € 423 million [€ 205-663 million] in beef cattle, € 151million [€ 90-213 million] in dairy sheep, € 206 million [€ 132-248 million] in meat sheep and € 86 million [€ 67-107 million] in dairy goats. Important data gaps were present in all phases of the calculations which lead to large uncertainties around the estimates. Accessibility of more granular animal population datasets at EU level, deeper knowledge of the effects of infection on production, levels of infection and livestock grazing exposure across Europe would make the largest contribution to improved burden assessments. The known current public investment in research on helminth control was 0.15 % of the estimated annual costs for the considered parasitic diseases. Our data suggest that the costs of enzootic helminth infections which usually occur at high prevalence annually in ruminants, are similar or higher than reported costs of epizootic diseases. Our data can support decision making in research and policy to mitigate the negative impacts of helminth infections and anthelmintic resistance in Europe, and provide a baseline against which to measure future changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Charlier
- Kreavet, H. Mertensstraat 17, 9150, Kruibeke, Belgium.
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, University of Naples Federico II, 80137, Napoli, Italy
| | - V Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", CISVetSUA, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - H W Ploeger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Clinical Infectiology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - C Chartier
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44307, Nantes, France
| | - H Rose Vineer
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - B Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Wien, Austria
| | - G von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Băcescu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spiru Haret University, Blv. Basarabia 256, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - T L Mateus
- CISAS - Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun'Álvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal; EpiUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, 4050-091, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal. 24236, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - S Quealy
- VirtualVet, Grenan Upper, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, Ireland
| | - H Azaizeh
- Institute of Applied Research, University of Haifa, The Galilee Society, Israel & Tel Hai College, Department of Environmental Sciences, Upper Galilee 12210, P.O. Box 437, Shefa-Amr, 20200, Israel
| | - B Sekovska
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - H Akkari
- Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - S Petkevicius
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, LT-47181, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Hektoen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O.Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E R Morgan
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, 19, Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - D J Bartley
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - E Claerebout
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Martin F, Dube F, Karlsson Lindsjö O, Eydal M, Höglund J, Bergström TF, Tydén E. Transcriptional responses in Parascaris univalens after in vitro exposure to ivermectin, pyrantel citrate and thiabendazole. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:342. [PMID: 32646465 PMCID: PMC7346371 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parascaris univalens is a pathogenic parasite of foals and yearlings worldwide. In recent years, Parascaris spp. worms have developed resistance to several of the commonly used anthelmintics, though currently the mechanisms behind this development are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the transcriptional responses in adult P. univalens worms after in vitro exposure to different concentrations of three anthelmintic drugs, focusing on drug targets and drug metabolising pathways. Methods Adult worms were collected from the intestines of two foals at slaughter. The foals were naturally infected and had never been treated with anthelmintics. Worms were incubated in cell culture media containing different concentrations of either ivermectin (10−9 M, 10−11 M, 10−13 M), pyrantel citrate (10−6 M, 10−8 M, 10−10 M), thiabendazole (10−5 M, 10−7 M, 10−9 M) or without anthelmintics (control) at 37 °C for 24 h. After incubation, the viability of the worms was assessed and RNA extracted from the anterior region of 36 worms and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system. Results All worms were alive at the end of the incubation but showed varying degrees of viability depending on the drug and concentration used. Differential expression (Padj < 0.05 and log2 fold change ≥ 1 or ≤ − 1) analysis showed similarities and differences in the transcriptional response after exposure to the different drug classes. Candidate genes upregulated or downregulated in drug exposed worms include members of the phase I metabolic pathway short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily (SDR), flavin containing monooxygenase superfamily (FMO) and cytochrome P450-family (CYP), as well as members of the membrane transporters major facilitator superfamily (MFS) and solute carrier superfamily (SLC). Generally, different targets of the anthelmintics used were found to be upregulated and downregulated in an unspecific pattern after drug exposure, apart from the GABA receptor subunit lgc-37, which was upregulated only in worms exposed to 10−9 M of ivermectin. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first time the expression of lgc-37 and members of the FMO, SDR, MFS and SLC superfamilies have been described in P. univalens and future work should be focused on characterising these candidate genes to further explore their potential involvement in drug metabolism and anthelmintic resistance.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Martin
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Faruk Dube
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson Lindsjö
- SLU-Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matthías Eydal
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Johan Höglund
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomas F Bergström
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Tydén
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Novobilský A, Rustas BO, Grandi G, Högberg N, Höglund J. Selective flukicide treatment of non-lactating cows and the corresponding production impact of Fasciola hepatica in dairy herds in Sweden. Vet Parasitol 2020; 283:109180. [PMID: 32682280 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A control strategy against Fasciola hepatica infection based on selective treatment of non-lactating animals was evaluated in four Swedish dairy herds. The study was conducted over the course of two consecutive seasons in moderately to highly F. hepatica infected herds with robotic milking, where heifers and dry cows received an oral drench with albendazole (10 mg/kg) during three visits in January, February and March in both 2017 and 2018. This resulted in an anthelmintic coverage between 38 % and 58 % of the animals. Furthermore, on each visit, the infection status of all dewormed animals along with 15 randomly selected milking cows were monitored by detection of F. hepatica coproantigens. Individual milk samples were also collected quarterly from the whole herds for measurements of individual antibody levels against the parasite using milk ELISA. In addition, individual data on milk yield and quality were collected on a monthly basis between 2016 and 2018. To further study the impact of the infection on milk production, truly F. hepatica positive and negative cows in the first lactation were identified based on the results from coproantigen and milk ELISA assays. Total F. hepatica coproantigen prevalence in the herds varied between 28 % and 85 % in the first year, and between 27 % and 68 % in the second year of the study. We found that two years of treatments resulted in a significant decrease of coproantigen-positivity especially on the two most heavily infected farms. These results were confirmed by a similar drop in within-herd prevalences obtained by milk ELISA results. The infection had a significant negative impact on milk yields in untreated F. hepatica positive cows. No consistent long-term effect was observed at the herd level probably due to the influx of animals infected before puberty and/or adult animals that were re-infected at dry-off. This is the first study of the effects of F. hepatica infection on milk yield and quality in dairy herds in Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Novobilský
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bengt-Ove Rustas
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Niclas Högberg
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Maganira JD, Kidima W, Mwita CJ, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Soil contamination by Taenia solium egg DNA in rural villages in Kongwa district, Tanzania. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2020; 10:1772668. [PMID: 32922689 PMCID: PMC7448889 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2020.1772668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence ofTaenia solium DNA from eggs in soils around the households in four Tanzanian villages in Kongwa district were analysed in relation to seasonal fluctuations and infection risk implications. A total of 192 pooled soil samples from five sampling points per household were examined by droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) from 96 pig-keeping households both during the dry and rainy seasons. The pooled samples were first processed by a flotation-double sieving technique, followed by screening for worm DNA employing universal primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene of human taeniid species and some other helminths. All DNA positive samples were later confirmed by a specific ddPCR probe assay targeting the mitochondrial cox1 gene of T. solium. A total of 17.2% (n = 33) samples were positive with the universal ddPCR, whereas T. solium DNA was confirmed by the specific ddPCR only in 3.1% (n = 3) of the surveyed households. The detection of T. solium DNA in this study spells out a low risk of exposure to T. solium eggs from contaminated household soil. Based on our results, ddPCR seems to be a promising technology for screening T. solium eggs in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Daudi Maganira
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Winifrida Kidima
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chacha John Mwita
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Novobilský A, Höglund J. Small animal in vivo imaging of parasitic infections: A systematic review. Exp Parasitol 2020; 214:107905. [PMID: 32387050 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive small animal in vivo imaging is an essential tool in a broad variety of biomedical sciences and enables continuous monitoring of disease progression in order to develop and improve diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures. Imaging parasites non-invasively in live animals allows efficient parasite distribution evaluation in the host organism and objective evaluation of parasitic diseases' burden and progression in individual animals. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize recent trends in small animal in vivo imaging and compare and discuss imaging of single-cell and multicellular eukaryotic parasites. A literature survey was performed using Web of Science and PubMed databases in research articles published between 1990 and 2018. The inclusion criteria were using any imaging method to visualize a range of protozoan and helminth parasites in laboratory animals in vivo. A total of 92 studies met our inclusion criteria. Protozoans and helminths were imaged in 88% and 12% of 92 studies, respectively. The most common parasite genus studied was the protozoan Plasmodium followed by Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The most frequent imaging method was bioluminescence. Among the helminths, Schistosoma and Echinococcus were the most studied organisms. In vivo imaging is applicable in both protozoans and helminths. In helminths, however, the use of in vivo imaging methods is limited to some extent. Imaging parasites in small animal models is a powerful tool in preclinical research aiming to develop novel therapeutic and preventive strategies for parasitic diseases of interest both in human and veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Novobilský
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Immunotherapy, Hudcova 70, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
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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
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Kärvemo S, Wikström G, Widenfalk L, Höglund J, Laurila A. Chytrid fungus dynamics and infections associated with movement distances in a red‐listed amphibian. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Kärvemo
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Genetics/Animal Ecology Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - G. Wikström
- Department of Ecology and Genetics/Animal Ecology Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - L.A. Widenfalk
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Greensway AB Uppsala Sweden
| | - J. Höglund
- Department of Ecology and Genetics/Animal Ecology Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - A. Laurila
- Department of Ecology and Genetics/Animal Ecology Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
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Maganira JD, Mwang'onde BJ, Kidima W, Mwita CJ, Höglund J. Seroprevalence of circulating taeniid antigens in pigs and associated risk factors in Kongwa district, Tanzania. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019; 7:e00123. [PMID: 31872092 PMCID: PMC6911909 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to porcine cysticercosis (PC) and associated risk factors in the Kongwa District, eastern-central Tanzania. For the first time a cross-sectional investigation of the seroprevalence in pigs using a commercial genus specific cysticercosis enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (apDia Ag-ELISA) was undertaken in eastern-central Tanzania. Moreover, the identity of suspected T. solium cysts from pigs in the study area were confirmed by sequencing parasites' mitochondrial cox1 gene. Structured questionnaires and direct observations were used to investigate risk factors associated with parasite transmission. A total of 102 pig-keeping households were surveyed during the dry season between July and August 2017 and 126 households in the rainy season between March and April 2018. Of the 447 examined pigs, 77 (17%, 95% C.I. 14%-20%) tested positive in the ELISA. Seroprevalence was higher in pigs examined during the rainy (21%, 95% C.I. 16%-26%) than dry (12%, 95% C.I. 7%-17%) season (p = 0.019). Eight cyst-positive-pigs were confirmed to be infected with T. solium by sequencing. Risk factors associated with PC seropositivity included origin of piglets or pigs (OR = 0.27, 95% C.I. 0.13-0.42, p = 0.001), socioeconomic factors and pig production system (OR = 0.22, 95% C.I. 0.07-0.37, p = 0.005) and sanitation and hygiene practices (OR = 0.19, 95% C.I. 0.04-0.34, p = 0.014). This study has recorded a high Taenia spp. seroprevalence in pigs in Kongwa suggesting the presence of people in the community carrying the adult parasite, Taenia solium. Our findings also suggest risk of infection by T. solium to people in urban centres and cities consuming pigs from rural areas in Kongwa. The high seroprevalence in Kongwa calls for further studies on taeniasis and cysticercosis in the human population in order to determine suitable control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine D Maganira
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Beda J Mwang'onde
- Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Winifrida Kidima
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chacha J Mwita
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Höglund J, Elmahalawy ST, Halvarsson P, Gustafsson K. Detection of Haemonchus contortus on sheep farms increases using an enhanced sampling protocol combined with PCR based diagnostics. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276S:100018. [PMID: 32904718 PMCID: PMC7458376 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2019.100018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An enhanced sampling strategy for detection of gastrointestinal parasites of sheep based on faecal sampling covering approximately 10% of the animals in the flock was evaluated with focus on the major sheep pathogen Haemonchus contortus. We also compared traditional diagnostics based on faecal eggs counts (FEC) by microscopy with DNA detection on frozen faeces samples using a droplet digital (dd)PCR assay. The investigation was carried out in 2018 in 20 conventional and 19 organic sheep flocks in Sweden with between 70 and 250 production ewes. On 76 different sampling occasions a total of 810 individual faecal samples were collected. Samples were pooled in the laboratory into 270 triplets which were examined both by microscopy and a ddPCR assay. On most farms (95%) a minimum of three triplets were investigated, first from the ewes prior to turn-out and later from the lambs after they had been grazing for at least six weeks. Extra information about the Haemonchus status was provided on 48% of the 76 sampling occasions by including more triplets compared with the old sampling strategy applied in Sweden before 2015 based on two triplets per sampling occasion irrespective of flock size. At a farm level H. contortus was identified by microscopy in 22 (56%) of the 39 flocks and by ddPCR it was found in 28 (72%) flocks with the enhanced protocol. There was a substantial agreement between the two diagnostic tests (Cohens kappa = 0.70 ± 0.087). No significant differences in infection levels were observed between the two production systems (conventional and organic) irrespective of the diagnostic method used. However, samples from the ewes were more often Haemonchus positive than those from the lambs indicating that the level of parasite control was in general acceptable. Combined, our results show that Haemonchus infection is widespread throughout Sweden. In conclusion, we have validated a practical tool for sheep producers to assess Haemonchus infection with high precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
- Corresponding author.
| | - Safaa T. Elmahalawy
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
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Takeuchi-Storm N, Moakes S, Thüer S, Grovermann C, Verwer C, Verkaik J, Knubben-Schweizer G, Höglund J, Petkevičius S, Thamsborg S, Werne S. Parasite control in organic cattle farming: Management and farmers' perspectives from six European countries. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 18:100329. [PMID: 31796188 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Organic ruminant production is expanding in the EU, but parasite management remains a constant challenge. Mandatory outdoor access for all age groups can increase exposure to pasture borne parasites, whilst restrictions in the prophylactic use of anthelmintics can limit parasite control. The scientific community has been working to deliver effective parasite control strategies and alternative approaches in order to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). However, the current parasite control practices and overall awareness with regards to AR and alternative approaches on farms are largely unknown and may be causing a knowledge gap between the scientific and farming communities. Therefore, a structured survey was conducted in six European countries (Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden) to provide basic data on practices, management and farmers' perspectives for grazing and parasite control (gastrointestinal worms and liver flukes) on organic cattle farms. Overall, 375 surveys were collected (282 dairy and 93 beef farms) in 2015-2016, and analysed descriptively. Additionally, surveys from the 228 dairy farms were assessed using a double-hurdle adoption model to identify the factors involved in the decision to drench against gastrointestinal parasites. Generally, there are prominent differences between countries, with monitoring methods differing especially, which has important implications in terms of knowledge transfer. For example, media warning was the most common method in DE, while antibody testing in bulk tank milk was the common method in NL. In other countries, clinical signs (diarrhoea, hair coat quality, and reduced weight or yield) and liver condemnation data were used frequently. In general, organic farmers from the six participating countries indicated that they would accept alternative approaches despite greater cost and labour. The likelihood of drenching were higher on farms with smaller farm areas, higher number of young stock and total livestock units and farms where faecal egg counts were used to monitor the parasites. In conclusion, it was evident that grazing and parasite management varied between the countries even though they operate under the same basic principles. Parasite management strategies must therefore be country specific and disseminated with appropriate methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Takeuchi-Storm
- Research Group for Veterinary Parasitology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Simon Moakes
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland.
| | - Susann Thüer
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Grovermann
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland.
| | - Cynthia Verwer
- Louis Bolk Institute, Kosterijland 3-5, 3981 AJ Bunnik, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Verkaik
- Wageningen Livestock Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Sonnenstrasse 16, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
| | - Johan Höglund
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Saulius Petkevičius
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Stig Thamsborg
- Research Group for Veterinary Parasitology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Steffen Werne
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland.
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Baltrušis P, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Molecular detection of two major gastrointestinal parasite genera in cattle using a novel droplet digital PCR approach. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2901-2907. [PMID: 31388787 PMCID: PMC6754349 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06414-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cooperia sp. and Ostertagia sp. are two cosmopolitan parasitic nematodes often found in mixed gastrointestinal infections in cattle across temperate regions. In light of the recent increase in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance in these and other nematodes derived from cattle around the globe, and their negative impact on animal health and productivity, novel molecular assays need to be put forth in order to facilitate the monitoring of parasite burden in infected herds, using pasture and/or fecal samples. Here, we describe a novel droplet digital PCR platform–based concept for precise identification and quantification of the two most abundant and important parasite genera in grazing western European cattle. By exploiting a single nucleotide difference in the two parasites’ ITS2 sequence regions, we have developed two specific hydrolysis probes labeled with FAM™ or HEX™ fluorophores, which can not only distinguish between the DNA sequences of the two, but also quantify them in mixed DNA samples. A third, newly developed universal probe was also tested along the genus-specific probes to provide a robust and accurate reference. It was evident that the universal probe displayed congruent results to those obtained by the genus-specific probes when used with DNA from both parasites in a single sample. All in all, the results of our assay suggest that this novel protocol could be used to distinguish and quantify cattle parasites belonging to the two most important genera (i.e., Cooperia and Ostertagia) in a single mixed DNA sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
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48
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Liu A, Su G, Höglund J, Zhang Z, Thomasen J, Christiansen I, Wang Y, Kargo M. Genotype by environment interaction for female fertility traits under conventional and organic production systems in Danish Holsteins. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:8134-8147. [PMID: 31229284 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Conventional and organic production systems mainly differ in feeding strategies, outdoor and pasture access, and the use of antibiotic treatments. These environmental differences could lead to a genotype by environment interaction (G × E) and a requirement for including G × E in breeding decisions. The objectives of this study were to estimate variance components and heritabilities for conventional and organic production systems and investigate G × E under these 2 production systems for female fertility traits in Danish Holsteins. The analyzed traits included the interval from calving to first insemination (ICF), the interval from first to last insemination, number of inseminations per conception (NINS), and non-return rate within 56 d after the first insemination. Records of female fertility in heifers and the first 3 lactations in cows as well as grass ratio of feed at herd level were collected during the period from 2011 to 2016. The performances of a trait in heifers and cows (lactation 1 to 3) were considered as different traits. The (co)variance components and the resulting heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated using 2 models. One was a bivariate model treating performances of a trait under organic and conventional production systems as 2 different traits using a reduced data set, and the other was a reaction norm model with random regression on the production system and the grass ratio of feed using a full data set. The full data set comprised records of 37,836 females from 112 organic herds and 513,599 females from 1,224 conventional herds, whereas the reduced data set comprised records from all these 112 organic herds and 92,696 females from 185 convention herds extracted from the full data set with grass ratio of feed lower than 0.20. All female fertility performances of the organic production system were superior to those of the conventional production system. Besides, heterogeneities in additive genetic variances and heritabilities were observed between conventional and organic production systems for all traits. Furthermore, genetic correlations between these 2 production systems ranged from 0.607 to 1.000 estimated from bivariate models and from 0.848 to 0.999 estimated from reaction norm models. Statistically significant G × E were observed for NINS in heifers, non-return rate within 56 d after the first insemination in heifers, and ICF from the bivariate model, and for ICF and NINS in cows from the reaction norm model.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China.
| | - G Su
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - J Höglund
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Z Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; School of Agriculture and Biology, Department of Animal Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - J Thomasen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; VikingGenetics, Ebeltoftvej 16, 8960, Assentoft, Denmark
| | - I Christiansen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; Organic Denmark, Silkeborgvej 260, 8230, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Y Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - M Kargo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
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Tydén E, Enemark HL, Franko MA, Höglund J, Osterman-Lind E. Prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris in horses after ten years of prescription usage of anthelmintics in Sweden. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276S:100013. [PMID: 32904767 PMCID: PMC7458386 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2019.100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Strongylus vulgaris is considered the most pathogenic nematode parasite of the horse. Frequent deworming programs since the 1970s have reduced the prevalence of S. vulgaris to low levels, but to the price of widespread benzimidazole resistance in the small strongyles (cyathostominae) and ivermectin resistance especially in the equine roundworm Parascaris spp. To slow down the progression of anthelmintic resistance in Sweden, horse anthelmintics were made prescription only medicine in 2007 and selective therapy principles were introduced. This means that only individuals with high egg excretion or clinical signs of helminth infection were treated instead of blanket treatment of all horses on a farm. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with S. vulgaris infection in Sweden ten years after the introduction of a selective therapy regime. A total of 529 faecal samples from 106 farms were collected during March to June in 2016 and 2017. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect information about deworming routines. Strongyle faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed by McMaster and presence of S. vulgaris was demonstrated with a specific PCR on individual larval cultures. Results were analysed by mixed logistic (S. vulgaris prevalence) or linear (FEC) regression models, where farm was included as random factor. The overall prevalence of S. vulgaris at individual and farm levels was 28% and 61%, respectively. We observed a 2.9 increased odds risk of S. vulgaris infection on farms that based their treatment on strongyle FEC only as compared to farms that complemented strongyle FECs with larval cultures or dewormed regularly, 1-4 times per year, without prior diagnosis. We found no association between the prevalence of S. vulgaris and strongyle FEC level, horse age, geographical region or signs of colic. The prevalence of S. vulgaris was 25% in horses shedding ≤150 eggs per gram. Thus horses with low strongyle FECs that are left untreated could be an important source of S. vulgaris infection. This may be an important reason for the approximately three-fold increase in S. vulgaris prevalence since 1999 in Sweden. However, our combined results indicate that selective therapy based on a combination of strongyle FECs and larval cultivation was not associated with an increased risk of S. vulgaris infection. Still, S. vulgaris needs to be monitored continuously and should be taken into careful consideration when the treatment frequency is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tydén
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Heidi Larsen Enemark
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Health and Food Safety, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mikael Andersson Franko
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Osterman-Lind
- National Veterinary Institute, Department of Microbiology, Section for Parasitology diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden
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50
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Högberg N, Lidfors L, Hessle A, Arvidsson Segerkvist K, Herlin A, Höglund J. Effects of nematode parasitism on activity patterns in first-season grazing cattle. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276S:100011. [PMID: 32904765 PMCID: PMC7458373 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2019.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Effects of GIN was evaluated for the first time in FSG using accelerometers. GIN affect activity patterns in FSG cattle on grass. Discrepancies from classic sickness behaviour may indicate discomfort. There is a potential use of automated behavioural observations as a diagnostic tool.
We investigated the effects of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) challenge on activity patterns in first season grazing (FSG) steers exposed to two different levels of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. At turn-out, experimental animals were allocated to one of two treatment groups grazing in different enclosures each with 32 animals. The first group (High) received 5000 third stage (L3) O. ostertagi (50%) and C. onchophora (50%) larvae; whereas the second group (Low) were dewormed monthly with 0.5 mg ivermectin (Noromectin®, Pour-on) per kg bodyweight. Activity patterns were monitored by fitting some animals in each group (High, n = 10; Low, n = 8) with leg mounted sensors (IceTag® 3D-accelerometers) during three two-week periods. In animals fitted with sensors body weight gain (BWG) was recorded every fortnight, whereas faecal and blood samples were collected every four weeks for nematode faecal egg count (FEC) and serum pepsinogen concentrations (SPC). Differences between the periods in daily (P = 0.046) and diurnal (P = 0.0502) activities were recorded between groups during the course of the study. A significant (P = 0.038) increase in the number of lying bouts was recorded in group High during the second period (days 74–86), which was correlated (r = 0.55, P = 0.018) to an increase in SPC ≈ 85 days after turn-out. BWG was reduced (P = 0.037) in group High compared to group Low, deviating from day 45. Strongyle nematode eggs were observed in both groups 29 days after turn-out, however the mean EPG remained low in group Low throughout the experiment. An increase in SPC was observed (P < 0.0038) in group High with levels peaking on day 58. In conclusion, our data supports that changes in activity patterns monitored with sensors could contribute to the identification of animals challenged with GIN, but also improve our understanding in the potential welfare impairments caused by such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas Högberg
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Parasitology Unit, Sweden
- Corresponding author at: BVF, Parasitologi, Box 7036, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lena Lidfors
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Sweden
| | - Anna Hessle
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Sweden
| | | | - Anders Herlin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biosystems and Technology, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Parasitology Unit, Sweden
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