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Biomedical subjects

C Chartier

Publications and source records attributed to C Chartier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Efficiency of feeding Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores to control nematode parasites of first-season grazing goats in France.

A field trial, conducted over two consecutive years, was aimed at assessing the efficacy of the administration of spores of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to young goats for the control of nematode parasite infections on a French commercial dairy goat flock. For both years, the first-year grazing kids were divided into two similarly managed groups (fungus and control groups): in 2003 a daily dose rate of 5 x 10(5) spores/kg body weight was given to the fungus-group animals, while in 2004 a daily dose rate of 10(6) spores/kg body weight was used; the other half of the kids, acting as control, did not receive the spores. Parameters measured every 3 weeks included nematode egg excretion, larval development in faecal cultures and pasture larval counts. Additionally, at the beginning, the middle and the end of each grazing season, the goats were weighed and blood samples for pepsinogen determination were collected. In 2003, similar results were recorded for all the measured parameters in the control and fungus groups. In contrast, in 2004, the kids receiving the spores showed lower faecal egg counts and pepsinogen levels at the end of the season and higher growth rate compared to kids of the control group.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Outcomes for systemic therapy in women with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the association of systemic therapy delivery with overall survival for ovarian cancer. METHODS: This population-based cohort study included all newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients treated from 1996 to 2002 in Ontario, Canada. Hospitalization and surgical billing databases were used. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the importance of hospital volume of first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, hospital type, prescribing physician volume and that physician's specialty on overall survival. RESULTS: There were 2502 women who received systemic therapy as part of their management. The three management strategies were surgery followed by chemotherapy (64.9%), chemotherapy followed by interval surgery (14.4%) and chemotherapy alone (20.6%). There has been a shift over time to chemotherapy followed by interval surgery from 5.5% in 1996 to 26% in 2001. Rates for surgery followed by chemotherapy have remained constant. Of those treated with first line chemotherapy, approximately 66.25% of women receive combination chemotherapy and 20% of patients receive single agent platinum. When potential confounders were taken into account (age, comorbidity, and metastatic versus nonmetastatic disease) factors involved in the delivery of systemic therapy were not associated with survival. Survival was improved for those that are younger, with no comorbidities, no metastasis and surgery followed by chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In Ontario, multimodality therapy with surgery followed by chemotherapy is associated with improved survival.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Comparative efficacy of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans against Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in goat faeces: influence of the duration and of the temperature of coproculture.

Amongst the alternative strategies to the use of anthelmintics, the administration of Duddingtonia flagrans spores has already proved its efficacy in reducing the number of developing larvae of several nematode species in goat faeces. In this trial, the efficacy of this fungus against the larvae of the three major nematode species of goats was compared in various conditions of coproculture. Twelve strongyle free goats were experimentally infected with either Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Teladorsagia circumcincta or Haemonchus contortus larvae. Half of the animals received an oral dose of 5x10(5) Duddingtonia chlamydospores/kg BW daily for 27 days, whereas the remaining was kept as control goats. From the 7th day of administration onwards, individual coproscopical examinations as well as coprocultures, which were incubated 4, 7, 10 or 14 days at 21 or 28 degrees C, were performed. The reduction in developing larvae due to the activity of Duddingtonia ranged from 62.8 to 99.5% compared to control. The trapping efficacy depended on temperature (better activity of the fungus at 21 than at 28 degrees C) and on duration (larval reductions lower after 4 days than after 7, 10 and 14 days of coproculture). Teladorsagia larvae were the least trapped, and Haemonchus larvae were the most trapped.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum infections in adult goats and their implications for neonatal kids.

During the kidding season between January and April 2003, 10 farms were selected and divided into two groups of five. The farms in group A had had serious diarrhoeal illness and losses in neonatal kids the previous year, and there were Cryptosporidium parvum infections in kids associated with diarrhoea during the survey. On the farms in group B, there was no history of diarrhoeal disease the previous year and neither C parvum oocysts nor diarrhoea were detected in neonatal kids during the survey. Faecal samples were collected once from 10 adult goats aged between one and seven years on each farm. To assess more accurately the pattern of output of oocysts of C parvum and cysts of Giardia duodenalis by periparturient adult goats, one farm was selected from each group, faecal samples were collected weekly before and after kidding from 12 goats on the farm in group A and from 10 goats on the farm in group B. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of G duodenalis cysts between the group A farms (14 per cent) and the group B farms (12 per cent), and the numbers of cysts excreted ranged from 143 to 400 cysts per gram of faeces (cpg) on the group A farms and 72 to 334 cpg on the group B farms. There was a significant difference (P=0.03) in the prevalence of C parvum oocysts at the group level between the group A farms (20 per cent) and the group B farms (6 per cent). All the adult goats excreted cysts and oocysts at some date around the kidding period; the number of animals excreting cysts of G duodenalis or oocysts of C parvum increased when they gave birth, and seven to 10 times more cysts and oocysts were shed in the three weeks around kidding than in the period more than three weeks from kidding (P<0.001).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Impact of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on Muellerius capillaris larvae in goat faeces.

The small lungworm Muellerius capillaris is very prevalent in goats and causes production losses. Its control is particularly difficult. The nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans has been shown to be effective in trapping a large range of gastro-intestinal nematode larvae but its trapping activity against small lungworm remains to be assessed. The purpose of this work was firstly, to evaluate the ability of first-stage larvae of M. capillaris (L1) to induce trap formation in in vitro conditions and secondly, to determine the effect of D. flagrans on the L1 infectivity to snails. In experiments on agar, the presence of L1 failed to induce any D. flagrans traps whereas in the same conditions, gastro-intestinal third-stage larvae induced 44-135 traps/cm(2) depending on the species. Moreover, when the traps were pre-induced by Haemonchus contortus larvae, the L1 of M. capillaris were not trapped. For the in vivo trial, two goats naturally infected with M. capillaris received D. flagrans chlamydospores at the daily dose rate of 5x10(5) spores/kg BW for 8 days. Faeces were collected individually before, during and 11 days after spore administration. On each day of harvest, the initial larval output was determined. The remaining faeces were subjected to coproculture at 21 degrees C for 7 days. At the end of this period, L1 were collected and used to infect snails (30 snails per goat isolate each snail given 40 L1 by direct deposit of the larvae on the foot of the snail). These snails were artificially challenged in contrast to others that were exposed to natural infection by exposure to faeces carrying first-stage M. capillaris larvae. The natural infection used the same number of snails, i.e. 30 snails deposited on the faeces of each goat. After 3 weeks at room temperature, the infective larvae present in the snail foot were counted. There was no difference in the survival of the L1 in faeces after coproculture whether the faeces contained D. flagrans or not. The infectivity of the extracted larvae from the two goats before and after fungal administration was the same. The number of infective larvae per snail obtained after "natural" infection showed variations that were not related to the presence of D. flagrans mycelium in faeces. These trials clearly indicate that D. flagrans was unable to trap or to alter the infectivity of M. capillaris first-stage larvae and thus cannot be considered as a non-chemotherapeutic alternative approach to the control of the small lungworm in goats.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of two commercial disinfectants on the viability and infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.

Cryptosporidiosis is mainly a problem in neonatal ruminants. Not only do Cryptosporidium spp. spread ubiquitously in our environment, but the protozoa are highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions and disinfectants, and a control measure is urgently required. This study investigated the potential biocidal activity on Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts of two commercial disinfectants developed originally to be used in farms and food-processing industries. The products, containing formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide respectively, both had some anticryptosporidial effects. The viability and infectivity of purified C. parvum oocysts exposed to both disinfectants at different concentrations and exposure times were evaluated by inclusion or exclusion of vital dye (propidium iodide), use of an excystation technique and infection of suckling mice. Viability assays showed a decrease in oocyst viability associated with an increase in exposure time for each of the concentrations used. The intensity of infection in neonatal mice was significantly lower (P<0.05) than in the control litters.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Final results of the EORTC 18871/DKG 80-1 randomised phase III trial. rIFN-alpha2b versus rIFN-gamma versus ISCADOR M versus observation after surgery in melanoma patients with either high-risk primary (thickness >3 mm) or regional lymph node metastasis.

Between 1988 and 1996, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Melanoma Group (EORTC-MG) performed a prospective, randomised phase III adjuvant trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of low dose recombinant interferon-alpha 2 b (rIFN-alpha2b) (1 MU) or recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma), (0.2 mg) both given subcutaneously (s.c.), every other day (qod), for 12 months in comparison with an untreated control group. The German Cancer Society (DKG) added a fourth arm with Iscador M, a popular mistletoe extract. High-risk stage II patients (thickness >3 mm) and stage III patients (positive lymph nodes) without distant metastasis were randomised and followed until their first progression or death. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. From 1988 to 1996, a total of 830 patients were randomised: 423 in the three-arm EORTC 18871 trial and 407 patients in the four-arm DKG 80-1 trial. The median follow-up was 8.2 years and a total of 537 relapses and 475 deaths were reported. At 8 years, the disease-free interval (DFI) rate was 32.4% and the overall survival (OS) rate was 40.0%. In terms of the DFI, the hazard ratio estimates (95% Confidence Intervals (CI)) were: 1.04 (0.84, 1.30) for the comparison of rIFN-alpha2b versus control, 0.96 (0.77, 1.20) for rIFN-gamma versus control, and 1.32 (0.93, 1.87) for Iscador M versus control. In terms of OS, the corresponding estimates (95% CI) for the 3 treatment comparisons were: for IFN-alpha2b 0.96 (0.76, 1.21), for rIFN-gamma 0.87 (0.69, 1.10) and for Iscador M 1.21 (0.84, 1.75), respectively. The results show no clinical benefit for adjuvant treatment with low dose rIFN-alpha2b or rIFN-gamma or with Iscador M in high-risk melanoma patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Targeted application of anthelmintics to control trichostrongylosis in dairy goats: result from a 2-year survey in farms.

The targeted application of anthelmintic treatments represents one of the current available solutions to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance within worm populations. Within an experimental flock of dairy goats, control of gastrointestinal parasitism by such selective treatments, targeting the most receptive animals within a flock, was previously found to be effective and to have no detrimental consequences on milk production. The objectives of the current study were to verify the validity of this method in farm conditions. Eleven dairy goat farms from three main areas of production in France were surveyed for 2 years. In six farms, the survey was prolonged for a third year. During year 1, systematic treatments were applied during the grazing season whereas in year 2 and or year 3, treatments were given exclusively to the goats in first lactation and to the multiparous ones with the highest potential of milk production. The level of nematode infection was measured four times per year through individual coproscopical examinations and the mean annual production of milk was recorded. No significant changes in egg excretion nor in milk production were noticed in any farm during years 2 or 3 after switching from the systematic to the selective mode of treatments. These results confirmed that targeted application of anthelmintics might represent a way to combine the control of trichostrongyles and the prevention of anthelmintic resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Biological control of infective larvae of a gastro-intestinal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta) and a small lungworm (Muellerius capillaris) by Duddingtonia flagrans in goat faeces.

The high prevalence of benzimidazole-resistant nematodes in French grazing dairy goat flocks led to a search for nematode-control schemes based on integrated approaches with non-chemical options, like vaccination, grazing management, or biological control using nematophagous fungi. The effect of the daily feeding of goats with spores of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on third-stage larvae (L3) of Teladorsagia circumcincta was examined in faecal cultures. In addition, the effect of D. flagrans on the survival of first-stage larvae (L1) of Muellerius capillaris was tested. Twenty-two culled dairy goats previously raised in a zero-grazing system were twice infected at monthly intervals with 5,000 and then 7,500 T. circumcincta L3. Eight animals were infected with a benzimidazole-susceptible (BZs) strain while the remainder received a benzimidazole-resistant one (BZr). Six culled goats naturally infected with M. capillaris were purchased from private farms. All the goats were divided in two groups, one group receiving daily 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores of D. flagrans/kg body weight per goat for seven consecutive days in the food, the other group acting as control. For T. circumcincta-infected goats, individual egg counts and coprocultures (13 days, 25 degrees C) followed by L3 extraction with the Baermann method were performed. For M. capillaris-infected goats, extraction of L1 with the Baermann apparatus was individually performed on day 0 and after coprocultures on days 7, 10 and 14. Reductions in percentage development of T. circumcincta L3 in fungus groups compared with control groups ranged from 84% (BZs strain) to 90% (BZr strain). A decrease in M. capillaris L1 recovery was noted on days 7 and 10 (a reduction of 70% compared with day 0) and on day 14 (85%), but this pattern was similar in both groups, whether receiving the fungus or not. At the dosage of 5 x 10(5) spores/kg body weight, D. flagrans was highly effective in reducing the larval development of T. circumcincta in goats faeces. In contrast, the fungus did not reduce M. capillaris L1 survival in faeces in our conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Mast cell and eosinophil mucosal responses in the large intestine of horses naturally infected with cyathostomes.

From December 1998 to March 2000, caecum and ascendant colon of 42 horses naturally infected with cyathostomes were collected during routine necropsy or from a local slaughterhouse. Changes in the numbers of mucosal and submucosal mast cells (MMC and SMMC), intraepithelial, mucosal and submucosal eosinophils (IE, ME and SME) in the large intestine were investigated by histochemical techniques in relation to the worm burdens. The effect of age was examined in three subgroups: 6-24-month-old horses (group 1), 2-10-year-old horses (group 2) and horses more than 10 years of age (group 3). No globule leucocytes were detected in any sections. No significant variations with breed or sex were observed in cell counts. The main variations were higher eosinophil counts in groups 2 and 3 and a marked increase of the MMC counts in the oldest horses (group 3). For each cell type, the infiltration was homogeneous and generalised along the large intestine. In the whole horse sample, the IE numbers were the only parameters that correlated with the MMC and SMMC counts. Very few significant relationships were found between mast cells and eosinophils in groups 1 and 3, whereas numerous positive correlations were recorded in group 2. In the whole horse sample, several correlations were found between different cell counts and cyathostome burdens. The numbers of larvae, adult worms, and the total worm burdens were related to some of the tissular eosinophil counts while the percentage of early third stage larvae (EL3) was linked to mast cell densities. These relations between cells and worm populations showed variations with age. In group 1, most of the significant associations were found between eosinophil counts (IE and SME) and the total numbers of larvae and worms; in group 2, they were noticed between the three eosinophil types and the total cyathostome burdens. In group 3, a MMC hyperplasia was observed and correlations were mostly recorded between these MMC and the total numbers of adult worms or the percentage of EL3. Several associations were also detected between eosinophils (mainly ME and/or IE) and different cyathostome burdens. These variations in the relationship between inflammatory cells and cyathostomes seemed to be consistent with the cellular changes observed among the three age groups. These results suggest that eosinophil and mast cell infiltrations quantified in the large intestine wall might be associated with cyathostome infection.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Fatal allergic vasculitis associated with celecoxib.

We report on the occurrence of a rare and as yet unforseeable adverse reaction to treatment with celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. A previously healthy adult suffered fatal acute multiple organ failure presumably after diffuse allergic vasculitis with diffuse necrotic purpura. Although no conclusive proof is available, such a reaction could have been triggered by at least one of two mechanisms: an allergic reaction linked to the chemical structure of celecoxib; or an interaction of the drug with synthesis of endothelial eiconasoids leading to an imbalance between vasoactive end products, resulting in widespread rise to local thrombosis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2002

Distribution and repeatability of nematode faecal egg counts in dairy goats: a farm survey and implications for worm control.

The aims of this study were to characterise trichostrongyle egg excretion in dairy goat flocks under various epidemiological conditions, and to assess the relative importance of animals in their first lactation and goats with high levels of milk production on the total egg output of the flock. The repeatability of egg excretion was estimated on 4 different dates in 14 dairy goat farms in France. Egg outputs were positively skewed on most farms suggesting an aggregated distribution of parasites. Within-year repeatability coefficients ranged from 0.29 to 0.82 suggesting that, on most farms, animals with high egg excretion on one occasion are likely to show high rates of excretion on other occasions. Comparisons of egg outputs from the selected subgroups showed that the high producing goats contributed prominently to egg excretion, particularly at times of peak parasitism. Results from goats in their first lactation were more equivocal. These results provide a rationale for anthelmintic strategies in dairy goats based on phenotypic characters.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Eprinomectin in dairy goats: dose influence on plasma levels and excretion in milk.

The plasma levels and milk excretion of eprinomectin were determined in goats following topical application at doses of 0.5 mg kg(-1) and 1.0 mg kg(-1). The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was 2 times lower for 0.5 mg kg(-1) (8.24 +/- 3.50 ng day(-1) ml(-1)) than for 1.0 mg kg(-1) (15.68 +/- 8.84 ng day(-1) ml(-1)), suggesting that the pharmacokinetics of eprinomectin in goats is dose independent. The bioavailability of eprinomectin in lactating compared with non-lactating goats is low. This is probably due to the physiological status of dairy animals, which present a marked decrease in body fat. Comparison of the eprinomectin concentrations in the milk and plasma demonstrated a parallel disposition of the drug with a milk-to-plasma ratio of 0.10-0.25. The amount of drug recovered in the milk was 0.3-0.5% of the total administered dose. In all cases, the maximum level of residue in milk remained below the maximum acceptable level of 30 ng ml(-1) permitted in lactating cattle.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of dairy goats under extensive management conditions in southwestern France.

The occurrence of benzimidazole (BZ) and levamisole resistance was investigated in 18 randomly selected dairy goat herds located in southwestern France and characterized by extensive management. On each of the 18 farms, 45 adult goats were randomly allocated into three groups of 15 animals each: an untreated control group, a group that was orally administered fenbendazole (10 mg kg(-1) body weight) and a group that received orally a levamisole drench (12 mg kg(-1) body weight). Individual faecal egg counts and pooled larval cultures were done 10 days after anthelmintic treatment. Naive lambs were infected with larvae obtained from control and fenbendazole treated groups and were necropsied 35 days after infection for worm recovery. Faecal egg count reductions (FERC) were calculated for fenbendazole and levamisole and, when less than 95 per 100, were considered as indicative of anthelmintic resistance. An in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) was conducted with thiabendazole on eggs isolated from pooled faeces of fenbendazole treated goats in nine farms. Faecal egg count reductions indicated the occurrence of benzimidazole resistance in 15 out of 18 farms. Among these farms, nine had EHT values above 0.1 microg thiabendazole ml(-1) confirming the benzimidazole resistance status. Levamisole resistance was detected in two farms through FECR. Based on necropsy results, the prevalence of benzimidazole resistance was higher in Trichostrongylus colubriformis, medium in Haemonchus contortus and lower in Teladorsagia circumcincta. In nine farms the benzimidazole resistance was monospecific whereas multispecific resistance was found in the six remaining farms. A negative relationship was found between FECR for fenbendazole and the average number of anthelmintic treatments given per year on the farm. Despite extensive management including a low number of treatments, the prevalence of benzimidazole resistance was very high suggesting that the repeated and sometimes exclusive use of benzimidazole drugs, even at low frequency, is probably the main cause in developing nematode resistance in dairy goat herds. The importance of other factors such as under-dosing or buying animals already carrying resistant nematodes are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between helminth species diversity, intensity of infection and breeding management in dairy goats.

Helminth infection, species diversity (proportion of each species in the community), species number, intensity of infection and anthelmintic resistance were investigated in 16 dairy-goat farms of south-western France. The aim of the study was to estimate which breeding management factors may affect diversity and intensity of infection. Anthelmintic resistance was investigated because this factor may modify composition of nematode communities. Farm history and breeding management were recorded by means of a questionnaire. Natural and experimental infections were compared to determine which strategy was the best to estimate diversity index and number of species from nematode community of a whole herd. A total of 17 species of helminths, among which 14 nematodes, one cestode (Moniezia spp.) and two trematodes (Paramphistomum daubneyi and Dicrocoelium lanceolatum) were recovered in the 26 necropsied culled goats. One culled goat worm burden represented conveniently species number but not species diversity (Shannon index) of parasite community harboured in the whole herd. Experimental sheep infection with larvae from pooled faeces of 15 goats was the best strategy to estimate species diversity in farms. Diversity could be predicted from the number of farms from which goats originated at constitution of the herd, the duration of goat winter withdrawal from pastures, and intensity of infection. Anthelmintic resistance was correlated with the number of farms of origin, area of permanent pastures and intensity of infection. The strategy adopted for the herd constitution was a critical step as species diversity and risk of anthelmintic resistance increased with the number of farms of origin. Intensity of infection was negatively correlated with species diversity. This suggested that more diverse communities were better controlled by the host, in agreement with the widespread statement that diversity would beget stability.

Abomasum↗
PubMed2000

Effects of the initial level of milk production and of the dietary protein intake on the course of natural nematode infection in dairy goats.

The level of dietary protein is known to alter the establishment and the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. On the other hand, high-producing dairy goats are less resistant and/or resilient than low-producing ones to experimental nematode infection. During a 2-year study, we have investigated the course of a natural nematode infection (mainly T. colubriformis) in a high-producing dairy goat flock. In year 1, 50 grazing goats divided in high (HP) or low producer (LP) were compared from April to October for parasitological and milk parameters. In year 2, the 25 HP goats were only considered and were allocated to two levels of dietary protein, high level (HPr) with a protein coverage of 125% or normal level (NPr) with a protein coverage of 106%. They were monitored as above. In year 1, HP goats showed a greater nematode egg output (1856 vs. 1000epg) associated with higher values in T. colubriformis IgG in autumn than LP ones whereas the decrease in serum phosphate concentration was similar in both groups. In year 2, HPr goats exhibited lower egg output in autumn (2219 vs. 2817) vs. NPr ones. Moreover, milk yield and fat content were significantly higher in HPr vs. NPr in the 2nd part of the study. HP goats are less resistant to nematode infection in natural conditions. Resistance and resilience of HP goats may partially be improved by a protein supplementation in the diet.

Animal Feed↗