Donkey: hero or villain of the parasite world? Past, present and future

This collection of articles provides an account of five presentations delivered at the 19th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology(WAAVP) (held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from 10 to 14 August 2003) in a symposium session on Donkey parasites, organised by Andrew Trawford and Catherine Morriss and moderated by Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen. The focus was on the role of the donkey in the advancement of parasitology, diagnosis and identification, methods of control and anthelmintic resistance.

The application of PCR-ELISA to the detection of Trypanosoma congolense type savannah (TCS) in bovine blood samples

PCR-ELISA was set up to detect strains of Trypanosoma congolense type savannah (TCS) in field samples of buffy coats. Results of PCR-ELISA and PCR were compared and the effectiveness of both techniques was also compared with the Murray's method for the detection of TCS in 257 bovine buffy coats. The PCR products were labelled with digoxigenin (DIG-dUTP) during amplification cycles of the repetitive satellite DNA. A biotinylated DNA capture probe was used to detect the PCR products by ELISA in streptavidin coated microplates. Both the PCR-ELISA and PCR were more sensitive and more specific than the Murray's method. Of the 257 buffy coats analysed by the three techniques, PCR-ELISA and PCR detected TCS in 98 and 97 buffy coats respectively, whereas the Murray's method detected only 39 samples. PCR-ELISA and PCR had almost the same sensitivity and specificity. PCR-ELISA and PCR respectively detected TCS in 39.2% and 38.6% in all the 334 samples analysed by both techniques in this study.

[Study of the abortifacient effects of Leptadenia hastata Pers. (Decne)]

Some abortions on horses and dromedaries are chargeable to Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadacea) by breeders from Linguere (Senegal). The aim of the study is to explore the abortifacient properties of Leptadenia hastata on mice. For thus, 25 p. 100 and 50 p. 100 of Leptadenia hastata powder have been incorporated to the ration of pregnant mices. The results obtained showed that reproduction rates are significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in groups fed with 25 p. 100 and 50 p. 100 of Leptadenia hastata than in control group. It has been concluded that Leptadenia hastata causes partial abortion in mice, probably by a toxic effect leading to the death and the resorption of the embryo.

[Mange in domestic animals and methods of control]

The author reviews the control of various types of mange, principally in production animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, dromedaries, equines, pigs, rabbits and poultry). An account of the taxonomy, morphology and biology of the mange-causing parasites is followed by a study of the epidemiology and pathology of the various forms of mange. The author then examines the methods for control of these highly contagious cutaneous parasitic diseases, which cause considerable losses to animal production. The various control procedures are described: acaricides may be used as dips, showers or sprays, as a topical application to the back ('pour-on'), or administered by the parenteral route. The principal acaricides are reviewed. The author concludes by discussing the problems of resistance, the use of auxiliary therapeutic measures, and the possibilities for medical treatment and hygienic precautions.

Gastro-intestinal helminths of donkeys in Burkina Faso

Thirty adult donkeys from Burkina Faso were necropsied and their gastro-intestinal worm burdens counted and determined. The strongylids were the most abundant species with a prevalence of 100% for Strongylus vulgaris. Four species of Strongylus, two of Triodontophorus and six of the Cyathostominae were recovered. All of the animals were also infested with habronematid nematodes, but oxyurid and ascaridid nematodes were found in low numbers. In addition to the nematodes, the paramphistomid trematode Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and the anoplocephalid cestode Anoplocephala magna occurred in varying numbers. Faecal egg-counts from 131 donkeys ranged between 100 and 9,200 for strongylid eggs.

[Ovine coccidiosis and its treatment under conditions of a livestock market in Senegal]

Three lots of 1 to 2 years old sheep are considered: the first is treated by ivermectin subcutaneous (IVOMEC ND), the second by chloroquin per os (NIVAQUINE) and the third is a control one. In the lot treated by chloroquin, 76.92% of sheep show a significant decrease of the EPG, seven days after the treatment. In the lot treated by ivermectin no significant decrease of the EPG is observed after the treatment. However in 50% of these sheep, the number of oocysts in the faeces decreases and their health is improved.