PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “NEMATODE INFECTIONS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The epidemiology of nematode infections in sheep in a cool tropical environment.

The epidemiology of nematode infections in Menz sheep was studied in the highlands of Ethiopia at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Debre Berhan Research Station, using a series of tracer lambs grazing contaminated pasture for either 4, 16, 32 or 48 weeks from July 1992 to June 1994. The basic nematode seasonal infectivity pattern was expressed in terms of relative numbers of third-stage larvae (L3) available on pasture for different months. Data from faecal nematode egg counts, pasture larval recoveries and worm counts from the tracer lambs were used to investigate the infectivity pattern. Four nematode species of economic importance: Longistrongylus (Pseudomarshallagia) elongata, Trichostronglylus colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus, and Dictyocaulus filaria, were recovered from sheep. The largest numbers were recovered during the wet season (i.e. July to November) with peaks in late August and early September. During this 2 year study period, the seasonal pattern of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes was clearly defined. An important finding was that conditions during the short rainy season (i.e. March-May) were not conducive to the development and survival of nematode eggs and the free-living stages, hence little or no transmission occurred. Rainfall and humidity seemed to be the most important factors for the development of eggs and free-living stages. The period of acquisition of third-stage larvae from pasture was found to be relatively short, suggesting that a strategic control programme is feasible with minimal anthelmintic use. Results from the studies are discussed in relation to control strategies.

Animals↗

Efficacy of moxidectin 0.5% pour-on against naturally acquired nematode infections in cattle in the Mexican tropics.

The efficacy of 0.5% moxidectin pour-on in cows with naturally acquired nematode infections was evaluated. The study was carried out in a ranch in Veracruz, Mexico. Four groups of 15 cows were randomly allocated. Animals in the treated group received 0.5% moxidectin pour-on at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight on a single occasion. The other two groups remained as untreated controls. Fecal samples from all cattle were taken on days 0 (pre-treatment), 7, 14, 28 and 60 (post-treatment, PT). Fecal egg-counts were determined using a modified McMaster technique and fecal cultures were performed to identify gastrointestinal nematodes infected larvae (L(3)). Treatment with moxidectin was associated with a significant reduction in fecal trichostrongyle egg-counts compared with the controls; efficacy was 100% at 28 days PT. Haemonchus spp. and Strongyloides spp. were the two genera identified from coprocultures.

Administration, Topical↗

[Possibilities of contagion of gastrointestinal and lung nematode infections of fallow deer for cattle, sheep and goats raised in the same fenced area as fallow deer].

Cattle as well as sheep and goats may be infected with parasitic nematodes of fallow deer under natural conditions, but heavy infections do not occur. Most nematode species were recorded in goats, cattle harboured the fewest number of species. The specific abomasal parasites of fallow deer (Spiculopteragia asymmetrica, Apteragia quadrispiculata, Skrjabinagia ryjikovi, Ostertagia drozdzi) were only seen in goats in greater number while both cattle and sheep were only poor susceptible. Capillaria bovis was observed in goats and sheep, cattle and sheep harboured Cooperia pectinata and Nematodirus roscidus. Oesophagostomum venulosum was recorded in cattle, sheep and goats. Oesophagostomum sikae was recovered only from fallow deer. Dictyocaulus eckerti was seen in fallow deer and in one cattle.

Animals↗

Efficacy of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep.

The efficacy of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematode infections was studied in 30 Fleischschaf x Rasa Aragonesa male lambs aged 3 months at the beginning of the experiment. The lambs were distributed in three groups of 10 animals each and experimentally infected with a mixture of an equal number of infective (L3) larvae from each of the following species: Haemonchus contortus (2000), Ostertagia circumcincta (2000), Trichostrongylus colubriformis (2000) and Trichostrongylus vitrinus (2000). Two groups of lambs were drenched with 0.2 mg moxidectin per kg body weight at 6 (Group B) and 21 (Group C) days post challenge while the third group of animals (Group A) remained untreated. The efficacy of the treatment based on worm counts 4 weeks post infection was of 100% against 4th stage larvae of all species and 100%, 99.98%, 100% and 100% against adults of H. contortus, O. circumcincta, T. colubriformis and T. vitrinus, respectively. Significant differences were found in daily weight gain between treated (Group B+C, 157.9 g day-1) and untreated lambs (Group A, 116 g day-1). No differences in feeding behaviour or health condition between treated and untreated lambs were observed.

Abomasum↗

Resistance of Santa Ines, Suffolk and Ile de France sheep to naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infections.

A study was conducted to assess the breed resistance against nematode infections in Santa Ines, Ile de France and Suffolk male lambs over a 9-month period in São Paulo state, Brazil. Lambs were born during the winter (year 2000) and were weaned at 2 months of age. The animals were then housed and treated with anthelmintics to eliminate natural infections by gastrointestinal nematodes. In late October 2000, lambs were placed in a paddock, where they stayed until August of the following year. Fecal and blood samples were taken from each animal every 2 weeks. On the same day, a pasture sample was collected to determine the number of infective larvae on the herbage. To prevent deaths, individual treatment with anthelmintics was provided to lambs with fecal egg counts (FEC) higher than 4000 eggs per gram (EPG) or with a packed cell volume (PCV) lower than 21%. In August 2001, all animals were slaughtered and the worms present in samples of the gastrointestinal contents were identified and counted. Most of the Suffolk and Ile de France sheep received three to six anthelmintic treatments over a period of 7 months, while most of the Santa Ines were not treated. Reductions in PCV and plasma protein values associated with high FEC and worm burdens were recorded, particularly, in Suffolk and Ile de France lambs. Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum columbianum burdens and number of nodular lesions caused in the large intestine by O. columbianum larvae were significantly lower in Santa Ines sheep. All three breeds showed similar Trichostrongylus colubriformis worm burdens. The relative resistance of Santa Ines young male sheep was superior to that of Suffolk and Ile de France sheep.

Abomasum↗

Extraintestinal nematode infections of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Hungary.

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence and worm burden of extraintestinal nematodes in 100 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of Hungary. The overall prevalence of nematode infections of the respiratory tract was 76%. Eucoleus aerophilus (Capillaria aerophila) was the predominant species (66%), followed by Crenosoma vulpis (24%), Eucoleus (Capillaria) böhmi (8%) and Angiostrongylus vasorum (5%). Pearsonema (Capillaria) plica was found in 52% of the urinary bladders. In 3% of the foxes, Trichinella britovi was present in muscle samples. The high prevalence of lungworms and P. plica and the fox colonisation in urban areas may enhance the prevalence of these nematode infections in domestic dogs and cats, and the flow of T. britovi from the sylvatic cycle to the domestic cycle, enhancing the risk of infections in humans.

Animals↗

Gastrointestinal nematode infections of first-season grazing calves in Belgium: general patterns and the effect of chemoprophylaxis.

Comparative analyses of the patterns of gastrointestinal nematode infections of first-grazing season cattle in Belgium are presented. The analysis involves 17 studies covering a 10 year period on 13 different farms in Flanders, Belgium. In all studies the calves were divided into an untreated control group, and one or two groups treated with chemoprophylactic systems. Two general infection levels emerged-'sub-clinical' (14 studies) and 'clinical' (three studies). The 'sub-clinical' infections were characterised by no clinical signs of parasitic gastroenteritis in the untreated control groups. Mean faecal egg counts remained low (less than 200), maximum pepsinogen levels only reached about 3500 mU tyrosine, and very small reductions in overall daily weight gain were observed compared with calves given chemoprophylaxis (less than 40 g day-1). Based on these results, on these 'sub-clinical' farms, chemoprophylaxis may not have been needed. In contrast, multiple salvage treatments of the control calf groups were required in the 'clinical' infections. Even with these salvage treatments mean faecal egg counts were high (more than 300), maximum pepsinogen levels were over 5500 mU tyrosine and there was a very large reduction in overall daily weight gain (more than 300 g day-1). However, it was not possible to predict either at turnout, or during the first month afterwards whether an infection on a particular farm would develop into a 'clinical' infestation. With the present data this prediction was possible from 8 weeks (Day 56) onwards, based on faecal egg counts and pasture larval contamination. It was also possible to predict using serum pepsinogen levels on Day 84. Therefore, one possible strategy for the effective control of gastrointestinal nematode infections of calves in temperate regions would be to evaluate faecal egg counts 2 months after turnout, and then only start treatment (i.e. metaphylaxis) if required.

Animals↗

Efficacy of ivermectin in a topical formulation against induced gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematode infections, and naturally acquired grubs and lice in cattle.

Efficacy of ivermectin in a topical formulation was evaluated in cattle against adult gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematode infections (experiment 1, n = 24), the 2nd- and 3rd-stage larvae of Hypoderma spp (experiment 2, n = 12), and the biting louse Damalinia bovis (experiment 3, n = 12). Nematode infections were induced and grubs and lice were naturally acquired. Treatments consisted of a single dose of ivermectin in a topical formulation of 200, 500, or 1,000 micrograms/kg of body weight in experiment 1 or 500 micrograms/kg in experiments 2 and 3. At 1,000 micrograms/kg, ivermectin was 100% effective against Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Nematodirus helvetianus, Haemonchus placei, and Dictyocaulus viviparus and was greater than 99% effective against Cooperia oncophora, C punctata, and T axei. At 500 micrograms/kg, the efficacy was 100% against C oncophora, C punctata, O ostertagi, T axei, Oes radiatum, N helvetianus, Haem placei, and Dict viviparus and greater than 99% against T colubriformis. At 200 micrograms/kg, the efficacy was 100% against Oes radiatum, Haem placei, and Dict viviparus, greater than 99% for O ostertagi, 96% for C oncophora, 86% for C punctata, 90% for T axei, 85% for T colubriformis, and 71% for N helvetianus. At 500 micrograms/kg, ivermectin was highly effective against the grubs Hypoderma bovis and H lineatum and eliminated the louse Damalinia bovis.

Administration, Topical↗

Efficacy of doramectin against field nematode infections of cattle in Latin America.

Two studies were conducted, one in Argentina and one in Brazil, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of doramectin administered subcutaneously at a dose rate of 200 micrograms kg-1 (1 ml per 50 kg) to cattle harboring mixed field infections of gastrointestinal nematodes. In each trial, 20 heifers were randomly allocated to a control or treated group of ten animals each, on the basis of fecal egg counts. Animals in the treated and control groups received an injection of doramectin or saline in the lateral midline of the neck. From 14 to 18 days post-treatment an equal number of animals from each group were slaughtered every day and the worm burdens of doramectin-treated animals were compared with those of non-treated controls. The efficacy of doramectin was at least 99.9% against adult stages of Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus placei, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus similis, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia spatulata, Cooperia surnabada (Cooperia mcmasteri), Oesophagostomum radiatum and Dictyocaulus viviparus. Efficacy against Nematodirus helvetianus was 97.9% while efficacy against Trichuris discolor was 92.3%. Activity against inhibited larval forms of Ostertagia ostertagi, H. placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichostrongylus axei, was at least 99.9%.

Animals↗

Efficacy of eprinomectin pour-on against gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep.

Two field trials were conducted in two farms (farms A and B) in southern Italy, to assess the efficacy of eprinomectin applied topically at the dose rate of 500 micro g/kg to sheep with naturally occurring infections of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). The nematode population determined by necropsy consisted of Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, T. capricola, Nematodirus sp., and Chabertia ovina in sheep from farm A, and of T. circumcincta, T. vitrinus, T. capricola, T. colubriformis, and C. ovina in sheep from farm B. In each farm, 42 female sheep were assigned to a eprinomectin treated group (E-group) and a control untreated group (C-group) of 21 animals each. On farm A, the percentage reductions in strongyle faecal egg counts from E-group compared to C-group were 99.1% on day 10; 97.4% on day 30; and 67.0% on day 60. On farm B, on the same days, they were 95.4, 84.9, and 69.4%, respectively. In the course of the two trials, eprinomectin was well tolerated by all the animals with no adverse reactions following the topical treatment.

Administration, Topical↗

A comparison of the efficacy of two treatments of doramectin injectable, ivermectin injectable and ivermectin pour-on against naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infections of cattle during a winter-spring grazing season.

Four groups of 18 crossbred beef steer calves (three replicates of six per group) were used to compare persistent efficacy of doramectin injectable, ivermectin injectable and ivermectin pour-on against naturally acquired infections of gastrointestinal nematodes during winter-spring grazing in Louisiana. The experiment was initiated on January 11. Treatments administered on Day 0 and again on April 5 (Day 84, 12-week interval) were: Group 1, untreated controls (CONT); Group 2, doramectin (DOR) at 200 micrograms/kg, s.c. injection; Group 3, ivermectin (IVM-INJ) at 200 micrograms/kg, s.c. injection; Group 4, ivermectin pour-on (IVM-PO) at 500 micrograms/kg, back midline. The cattle were weighed and fecal samples (for egg counts and for culture-larval identification) were collected at regular intervals throughout the 161 day experiment. In the interval between Day 0 and 84, arithmetic mean egg counts of the CONT group averaged about 890 eggs per gram, but then decreased markedly between Days 119 and 126, and remained at a lower plane for the remainder of the experiment. From Day 28 to 56, egg counts of the DOR group were consistently lower (P < 0.05) than those of controls and both IVM-treated groups. Egg counts of the DOR group were always lowest after the second treatment, but differed (P < 0.05) only from IVM-PO counts between Days 119 and 140 (35 and 56 days after the second treatment). Ostertagia was the predominant genus, followed by Cooperia in all four groups. Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, and Bunostomum were other genera identified. Bodyweights of the DOR group remained significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those of all other groups from Day 112 through the end of the experiment. Total gains for the CONT, DOR, IVM-INJ, and IVM-PO groups were 96, 159, 147, and 150 kg, respectively; treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than CONT, but differences among treated groups was not significant (P > 0.05).

Administration, Oral↗

Persistent efficacy of doramectin against experimental nematode infections in calves.

Three studies were conducted involving cattle exposed to experimental nematode infections. These studies were designed to investigate the prophylactic activity of a single subcutaneous treatment of doramectin at 200 micrograms kg-1 body weight against infections of Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora and Dictyocaulus viviparus. For each study, parasite-naive calves were randomly allocated to either a treated or a matched control group. One group received doramectin and the other received doramectin and the other received either no treatment or an injection of saline at 1 ml per 50 kg body weight by the subcutaneous route. Thereafter, all calves received a daily oral challenge of infective larvae of the particular parasite species on test in each study. Challenge of each pair of treatment/control groups continued for periods of 14, 21 or 28 days. An interval of 14-21 days was then allowed to permit the parasites which had established to mature, after which all animals were slaughtered and their worm burdens determined using standard techniques. Geometric mean worm burdens were calculated from the log worm counts and used to estimate percentage efficacy. Accumulated burdens of C. oncophora in doramectin-treated cattle resulting from a daily challenge infection for 14 or 21 days were reduced by 99.2% and 90.7% respectively, in comparison with those of non-treated control animals. For D. viviparus, burdens were reduced by 100% and 99.9% after a 21 or 28 day challenge, respectively. The corresponding figures for O. ostertagi were 99.9% after a 21 day challenge and 93.7% after a 28 day challenge.

Analysis of Variance↗

Efficacy of albendazole for treatment of naturally acquired nematode infections in Washington cattle.

Albendazole, methyl 5-propylthio-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate, was given as a bolus (7.68 to 8.18 mg/kg of body weight) to cattle naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in a controlled trial. Over 99% of adult Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus longispicularis, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus, and Dictyocaulus viviparus were removed by the treatment. Efficacy against immature O ostertagi, early fourth-stage O ostertagi, and Oesophagostomum radiatum was 95.2%, 86.6%, and 96.7%, respectively. In a field trial, the same compound administered in a paste formulation (at approximately 7.5 mg/kg) eliminated over 99% of strongylin and Moniezia eggs from feces of treated cattle.

Animals↗

The dynamics, prevalence and impact of nematode infections in organically raised sheep in Sweden.

A three-year survey (1997-99) was carried out on organically reared sheep flocks throughout Sweden. The aim was to determine the prevalence and intensity of nematode infections and to establish relationships between sheep management practices and parasite infections. Faecal samples from ewes and lambs were collected from 152 organic flocks around lambing-time and during the grazing-period for analysis. Results were compared with the different management practices that farmers use to prevent parasitism in their flocks. A high proportion of the flocks was infected with nematodes. The most prevalent species were Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumeincta, Trichostrongylus axei. T. colubriformis and Chabertia ovina and infections progressively increased during summer in lambs grazing on permanent pastures. Severity of parasitic infection in lambs was highly dependent on egg output from the ewes. H. contortus was found in 37% of the flocks, even at latitudes approximating the Polar Circle. Nematodirus battus was recorded for the first time in Sweden during the course of this study. Lambs turned out onto permanent pasture showed higher nematode faecal egg counts (epg) than lambs that had grazed on pastures, which had not carried sheep the previous year. This beneficial effect of lambs grazing non-infected pastures persisted if the ewes were treated with an anthelmintic before turn-out and if the lambs were kept on pastures of low infectivity after weaning. In lambs, the prevalence and the magnitude of their egg counts were higher during autumn in flocks where lambs were slaughtered after 8 months of age, compared with flocks where all lambs were slaughtered before this age. These results will be used in providing advice to farmers of ways to modify their flock management in order to minimise the use of anthelmintics, but at the same time efficiently produce prime lambs.

Animals↗

Effect of naturally occurring nematode infections in the first and second grazing season on the growth performance of second-year cattle.

Antibody titres against Ostertagia spp., Cooperia spp. and Dictyocaulus viviparus as well as pepsinogen values, reflecting exposure to nematode infection, differed significantly among herds of second-year cattle on 87 farms. Faecal examinations revealed that gastrointestinal nematode infections were present in all herds. Similar results were found in yearling-herds on the same farms a year earlier. Liveweight of yearlings per herd deviated from -64.7 kg to +94.4 kg from an age-adjusted population mean after the second grazing season. This mean herd weight deviation was significantly related negatively to antibody titre against Ostertagia spp. (linear regression, P less than 0.05; segmented curvilinear regression, P less than 0.01) and to antibody titre against Cooperia spp. (segmented curvilinear regression, P less than 0.05), both measured in the second grazing season. Antibody titre against Ostertagia spp. measured in the first grazing season, when yearlings were calves, was significantly correlated positively to age-adjusted body weights at the end of the second grazing season. The results suggested that immunity built up during the first year had a positive effect on growth performance in the second year, but that on average the acquired immunity was insufficient to prevent reduced weight gains in the second grazing season.

Age Factors↗

Resistance of Galla and Small East African goats in the sub-humid tropics to gastrointestinal nematode infections and the peri-parturient rise in faecal egg counts.

A study was carried out from 1994 to 1996 to compare the resistance to naturally acquired gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) of 88 Galla and 114 Small East African (SEA) goats (does) in the sub-humid coastal region of Kenya. Live weights (LWT), blood packed cell volume (PCV) and faecal egg counts (FEC) were recorded each year at mating, 3-4 months after mating, 1-2 weeks before kidding and 1-4 months after kidding. There was a significant increase in FEC and a decline in PCV in lactating does compared to non-lactating does over the peri-parturient period. This peri-parturient rise in FEC occurred in both breeds but was more marked and persistent in the Galla than in the SEA. The SEA does were more resistant to GI nematode infections than Galla does as shown by their significantly lower FEC and higher PCV at all sampling times over the reproductive cycle, but this breed difference was particularly marked over the lactation period.

Animals↗