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PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of intestinal nematode infections with albendazole. Preliminary results (author's transl)].

A randomized double-blind study, in order to evaluate effectiveness and tolerance of albendazole, was carried out in 186 african subjects presenting intestinal nematode infections in Mali and Senegal. The drug, well tolerated, given as a single dose of 0.4 g (adolescents and adults) or 0.2 g (children) is curative in more than 90% for ascariasis. For ancylostomiasis and trichuriasis, the effectiveness is less satisfactory in children, probably due to insufficient dosage in this age group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The grazing behaviour of cattle in relation to the sampling of infective nematode larvae on pasture.

A method of sampling pasture to estimate the numbers of infective nematode larvae to which grazing cattle were exposed was based on the grazing patterns and behavioural activities of two groups of cattle and was compared with other sampling techniques. Each group of cattle consisted of six permanent members, two members fistulated at the oesophagus and one worm-free tracer calf. Grazing time and the area where grazing occurred was not significantly different for tracer calves, fistulated cattle and permanent group members, and there was no relationship between grazing time and the live weight of cattle. Grazing time, the percentage of paddock area grazed intensively and the percentage of the paddock not grazed varied with season. The most intensively grazed areas were always visited between first light and the first rest period during mid-morning, and the plant parts and pasture species eaten could easily be identified by visual examination of these areas of the paddock. Larval recoveries per 100 g pasture ingested were estimated for comparison with the grazing area method using two other manual pasture sampling methods, a sampling method using tracer calves and one using fistulated calves. Correlations between these methods were not consistent but indicated that, given the small number of data sets, all methods were sensitive enough to estimate larval availability on pasture with the exception of the tracer calf method in the overstocked 3.4-ha paddock.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The sequential analysis of local inflammatory cells during abomasal nematode infection in periparturient sheep.

A technique to take sequential tissue biopsy samples in multiparous, periparturient ewes from the abomasal mucosa is described, developed in parallel in Scotland and New Zealand. Samples were extracted via abomasal cannulae inserted into the wall of the abomasum and exteriorised through dorso-ventral laparotomy. Animals recovered quickly post-surgery, and tolerated the cannula and sampling without any adverse signs of pain or discomfort. The technique was deployed in two pilot studies to investigate the sequential mucosal inflammatory cell responses in well-defined parasitological models, during the periparturient relaxation of immunity in ewes infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and subjected to different feeding treatments. One experiment (Moredun Research Institute, Scotland) involved the infection of twin-bearing ewes with Teladorsagia circumcincta L3 either before, or after lambing. By feeding ewes with different levels of protein supplementation, preliminary data on the impact of nutrition on the eosinophil, mucosal mast cell and globule leucocyte responses during this period were investigated. A similar study was also performed at Lincoln University, New Zealand, to investigate these cell responses in sheep fed relatively high or low protein diets during pregnancy, and infected with a combined immunisation regime of T. circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis L3. These studies confirmed the phenomenon termed the periparturient relaxation in immunity (PPRI) where a transitory increase in faecal egg counts is observed during late pregnancy and lactation, and this effect was exacerbated during protein undernutrition. Although the number of animals was low in each experiment and the cell responses variable, the results together suggest a reduction in the number of mucosal mast cells and globule leucocyte during the PPRI when protein supply was restricted. The present paper thus describes a successful technique to monitor ovine mucosal cell populations during local immune responses in normal and pregnant sheep. It is envisaged that this technique will be a powerful adjunct to investigations into mucosal immune mechanisms and disease pathogenesis, and will be employed to confirm the influence of dietary protein on the local inflammatory cell responses during the PPRI.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of sampling methods with respect to cattle-visiting Muscidae and their nematode infections.

Cattle-visiting Muscidae were sampled with a handnet from a blood-smeared Masonite panel as well as grazing heifers and dairy cows in south-central Sweden. All flies were examined in search of nematodes. Only Musca autumnalis was infected with nematodes (Parafilaria bovicola, Thelazia spp. and Heterotylenchus autumnalis). The only mixed infections found involved P. bovicola and Thelazia spp. Most M. autumnalis infected with P. bovicola and Thelazia spp. were found during the two first months of the grazing season, whereas the prevalence of specimens infected with H. autumnalis remained about the same throughout the sampling period. Musca autumnalis was caught in significantly smaller numbers from heifers (P < 0.05) than from panel and cows. The catches of nematode-infected M. autumnalis were similarly distributed. Catches of other cattle-visiting Muscidae did not differ significantly among the methods used. Handnet sampling off a panel is therefore considered to be a convenient and accurate method when investigating the abundance of cattle-visiting Muscidae and the prevalence of their nematode infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of nematode infections and management practices on growth performance of calves on commercial dairy farms.

Liveweight of calves on 86 dairy farms was measured at the end of the grazing season and related per herd to the level of exposure to nematode infection estimated in October and December. There were significant between-herd variations in all the serological infection parameters measured. On average 20.5 larvae per gram faeces (geometric mean) were found in October. Faecal samples of 20.5% of the herds contained lungworm larvae. Liveweight of calves deviated per herd from -59.8 kg to +52.2 kg from an age-adjusted population mean after their first grazing season. Growth performance was significantly related negatively to several serological and parasitological parameters. Data were fitted by means of both linear and segmented curvilinear regression. By combining infection parameters 19% of the variation in growth performance among herds could be explained. Infection parameters involved were antibody titre against Cooperia spp., egg output and lungworm larval count. It was found that antibody titres were significantly correlated positively to herd age, while pepsinogen values and egg output were negatively correlated to age. Combining supplementary feeding and anthelmintic treatment during the grazing season with the infection parameters into one model explained approximately 30% of the observed variation in growth performance among herds. It was shown that these findings were consistent with those of a similar study conducted on the same farms a year earlier, although there were clear differences between the years. Finally, significant positive relations were found between the levels of exposure to nematode parasites within farms between two consecutive years.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

An abattoir survey of gastrointestinal nematode infections in cattle in the central highlands of Kenya.

The gastrointestinal tracts of 672 crossbred cattle were obtained from various abattoirs in Kiambu District, Kenya from August 1992 to July 1993, and examined for the presence of gastrointestinal nematodes. Eight nematode species were found in 583 (86.8%) of the animals. The nematodes were, in order of prevalence: Haemonchus placei (67.0%), Cooperia pectinata (53.0%), Cooperia punctata (41.7%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (38.4%), Trichostronglyus axei (24.3%), Nematodirus helvetianus (19.6%), Trichuris globulosa (9.7%) and Strongyloides papillosus (3.6%). The intensity of the nematode infection was moderate; the mean burden being less than 7000 worms. H. placei accounted, on average, for 52.3% of the total burden. The total burden was least during the dry seasons and increased gradually during the rainy seasons. Adult H. placei persisted in the host throughout the year and there was no indication of hypobiosis. The heaviest gastrointestinal worm burdens were detected in 1.5- to 3-year-old animals. These findings are discussed with regard to their relevance for strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1997

The global burden of intestinal nematode infections--fifty years on.

Fifty years after Stoll published his 'This Wormy World' article, the global prevalence of infections with intestinal nematodes remains virtually unchanged. The main species involved are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms, and there are now approximately one billion infections with each of these, worldwide. Given these large numbers, Man-Suen Chan here focuses on attempting to quantify the disease burden caused by these infections, using a recently formulated method of calculating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Using a mathematical model, it is estimated that approximately 70% of this burden can be prevented in high-prevalence communities by treating schoolchildren alone. Programmes targeted at schoolchildren have been shown to be extremely cost-effective, and hence this provides a realistic approach for combating these infections in the future.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Sericea lespedeza hay as a natural deworming agent against gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats.

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, is the biggest constraint to profitable goat production in the United States (US). Due to widespread prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in goat GIN, alternative, non-chemical control methodologies are needed to increase profitability of small ruminant industries. A study was designed to test the efficacy of a high condensed tannin (CT) legume, sericea lespedeza [SL, Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours. G. Don)] against GIN of goats fed in confinement. The goats were given a trickle infection of 500 H. contortus larvae/animal three times per week during the trial to simulate natural infection. Twenty Boer bucks (6-8 months old) were fed bermudagrass [BG, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay plus concentrate for 5 weeks in confinement and then 10 animals were switched to SL hay for an additional 7 weeks. Throughout the trial, feces and blood were collected weekly from individual animals to determine fecal egg count (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV). Fecal cultures were made weekly from pooled samples to determine treatment effects on GIN larval development. All goats were slaughtered at the end of the trial, with adult worms in the abomasum and small intestine of each goat recovered, counted, and identified to species. Feeding SL hay to goats significantly (P<0.01) reduced FEC and increased PCV compared with BG hay. In addition, a lower percentage of ova in feces from SL-fed goats developed into infective (L3) larvae. There was a direct effect of SL hay on adult worms, with significantly (P<0.01) lower numbers of both abomasal (H. contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta) and small intestinal (Trichostrongylus colubriformis) nematodes compared with goats fed BG hay. Feeding SL hay to goats is an effective means of controlling parasitic nematodes and may be a potential supplement/replacement for chemical anthelmintics.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1990

Effect of nematode infections on growth performance of calves during winter housing on dairy farms.

Growth performance of calves was estimated by means of heart girth measurements on 48 farms during winter housing (from December to the end of March). Level of exposure to nematode infection was measured by antibody titres, pepsinogen values, and faecal examinations. Half of each herd was treated with albendazole after housing. All infection parameters measured in March were significantly lower in the treated groups than in the untreated control groups. Treatment increased growth rate by an average of +0.007 cm day-1 (N.S.), i.e. +0.036 kg day-1. Effect of treatment varied from -0.075 to +0.100 cm day-1 among herds. This effect of treatment on the growth performance was significantly correlated positively to pepsinogen value (r = 0.321, P less than 0.05 measured in October; r = 0.265, P less than 0.10 measured in December). Control groups showed very different growth rates among herds, ranging from 0.023 to 0.170 cm day-1, i.e. 0.112-0.874 kg day-1. This variation was strongly related to several infection parameters, particularly those measured in October. The most pronounced correlation was found between the average daily gain of the control groups and the mean herd antibody titre against Ostertagia spp. measured in October (r = -0.413, P less than 0.01). These results were consistent with those of a similar study conducted on commercial dairy farms a year earlier.

Albendazole↗
PubMed2002

Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States.

A study was conducted to evaluate relative resistance of Dorper crossbred (DO), Katahdin (KA), St. Croix (SC), and Hampshire (HA) ewes to natural and experimental gastro-intestinal (GI) nematode infection over a 20-month period. The objective of Experiment 1 was to evaluate breeds for resistance to infection acquired naturally from mixed grass pastures. In Year 1 (May-December 2000) de-worming of ewes occurred during wet, hot conditions in July and during late pregnancy in December. In Year 2 (January-December 2001), ewes were de-wormed after fecal egg count (FEC) for a breed group rose above 1000 eggs per gram (epg) or after blood packed cell volume (PCV) of an individual ewe fell below 20. FEC was determined every 28 days and PCV every 14-28 days. In both the years, ewes were pastured together, except during the 28-days breeding periods, on tall fescue, bermudagrass, or ryegrass, and rotated among pastures dependent on forage availability. Ewes were in good or excellent condition (body condition score of 3-4 out of 5) throughout the study. The objective of Experiment 2 was to evaluate the breeds for relative resistance to an experimental infection with Haemonchus contortus infective larvae. Both PCV and FEC were determined every 7 days from 14 to 42 days after inoculation with 30000 infective larvae per ewe. In Experiment 1, Year 1, FEC was slightly greater and PCV was lower from July to September in DO ewes (breed x time, P<0.001). In Year 2, de-worming occurred 14 days later in DO ewes compared with other breed types. Otherwise PCV and FEC were similar among the hair breeds and higher and lower, respectively, compared with HA ewes (breed x time, P<0.001). In Experiment 2, FEC and PCV were similar among hair breeds; FEC was lower and PCV higher in hair breeds compared with that of HA ewes (P<0.01). Relative resistance of mature Dorper crossbred ewes was comparable to that of Katahdin and St. Croix ewes and superior to that of Hampshire ewes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reducing intestinal nematode infection: efficacy of albendazole and mebendazole.

The widespread use of mebendazole and albendazole for treating intestinal nematode infections in human populations is raising concerns that careful monitoring pro- cedures should be in place to identify any emergence of drug resistance. In this article, Andy Bennett and Helen Guyatt discuss whether benchmark parasitological drug efficacy rates can be defined for these anthelmintics, by analysing published data on cure rates and egg reduction rates in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1977

[Anthelmintic Effect Of Oxantel And Oxantel/pyrantel Tablets Against Intestinal Nematode Infections]

Present trial was carried out to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of oxantel/pyrantel tablets against intestinal nematode infections, and to determine the efficacy of oxantel tablels against Trichuris infection. A total of 34 subjects with the mixed infections were treated with oxantel/pyrantel tablets (100 mg/tablet each) in a single dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, and another group of 22 Trichuris infected cases received oxantel pamoate tablets (125 mg/tablet) in a single dose of 15 mg/kg. All stool examinations were done before the treatment and 3 weeks after the treatment. The cellophane thick smear (Kato's technique) and Stoll's dilution egg counting method were employed. The results of the trial were summarized as follows: 1. The cure rates (egg negative conversion rates) and egg reduction rates for oxantel/pyrantel tablets were 85.3% and 97% in trichuriasis, 100% each in ascariasis and ancylostomiasis. 2. The oxantel tablet treated group demonstrated a cure rate of 90.9% and an egg reduction rate of 96.3% in the treatment of Trichuris. 3. There were no detectable objective and subjective side effects in this trial. Both oxantel/pyrantel and oxantel pamoate tablets were readily accepted and well tolerated.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Exposure of dairy cows to nematode infections at the end of the grazing season in The Netherlands.

In autumn 2000, a study was carried out on 25 dairy farms in the vicinity of Utrecht with the aim to estimate infectivity levels for nematode parasites in cows. On each farm, faecal samples were collected from 15 cows, blood samples from 5 of these and herbage samples from 2 cow pastures. Faecal examination demonstrated a variation between farms and within farms in faecal egg output with a mean number of 4 eggs/g faeces (EPG) and Ostertagia spp. and Cooperia oncophora being the dominant species. In 6 out of 21 farms examined, lungworm larvae were detected in at least 1 cow. Serum pepsinogen values and serology using ELISA's with crude adult Ostertagia, crude adult C. oncophora and a specific recombinant C. oncophora protein as antigens indicated low to moderate infection levels. Pasture infectivity levels varied between farms with again Ostertagia spp. and C. oncophora as the dominant larval types and correlated with the crude worm Ostertagia ELISA, the crude worm Cooperia ELISA and the pepsinogen values. Exposure levels were high enough to enable the possible occurrence of production losses on the majority of farms.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Control strategies for human intestinal nematode infections.

In recent years significant progress has been made in understanding the ecology, epidemiology and related morbidity and development of new tools for the control of soil-transmitted helminths. Such knowledge has recognized the impact of helminth infections on the health of infected groups and has created a rational basis for their control. Schoolchildren harbour some of the most intense helminthic infections, which produce adverse effects on health, growth and scholastic performance. However, although great effort has been put into targeting school-age children, women of child-bearing age and pre-school children are two other groups at high risk of morbidity due to intestinal nematode infections. Highly effective and safety-tested, single-dose anthelminthic drugs are now available, permitting periodical deworming of schoolchildren and other high-risk groups at affordable prices. Four anthelminthics against all intestinal nematodes are included in the WHO Essential Drug List (albendazole, levamisole, mebendazole and pyrantel). Recently ivermectin has also been registered for use against Strongyloides stercoralis in humans. Several well-monitored country experiences have shown that chemotherapy-based control of morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminths is possible and highly cost-effective.

Africa↗
PubMed2003

Mast cells disrupt epithelial barrier function during enteric nematode infection.

We have investigated the influence of mast cells on the barrier function of intestinal epithelium during nematode infection. Trichinella spiralis infection induces a strong type 2 cytokine-mediated inflammation, resulting in a critical mucosal mastocytosis that is known to mediate expulsion of the parasites from the intestine. The host response to infection is also characterized by an increase in mucosal leakiness. We show here that intestinal epithelial permeability is markedly elevated during infection, with kinetics that mirror the adaptive immune response to primary and secondary infection. Furthermore, we have identified degradation of the tight junction protein, occludin, thereby providing a mechanism for increased paracellular permeability during helminth infection. We further demonstrate by using anti-c-kit antibody and IL-9 transgenic mice that mast cells are directly responsible for increasing epithelial paracellular permeability and that mice deficient in a mast cell-specific protease fail to increase intestinal permeability and fail to expel their parasite burden. These results provide the mechanism whereby mucosal mast cells mediate parasite expulsion from the intestine.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Regulation of the immune response to intestinal nematode infections in mice].

Control of parasitic infections is dependent on mechanisms that limit invasion, reproduction or survival of the parasite, including elevated serum IgE, eosinophilia and intestinal mast cell hyperplasia. Studies with mice infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Trichuris muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Trichinella spiralis have provided considerable information about immune mechanisms correlated with resistance and susceptibility. Activation and cytokine secretion of distinct Th cell subset leads to the generation of effective or ineffective responses resulting in clearance of the parasite load or maintenance of chronic infection. The induction of differential responses remains to be determined but is likely to be influenced at a number of levels including the host genetic background, involvement of accessory cells, activation of co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells. The regulation of responses to intestinal nematode infections is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of previous suppressive anthelmintic treatments on subsequent nematode infection in fattening cattle in Argentina.

The effect of previous suppressive anthelmintic treatments after weaning on parasitological parameters and weight gain of cattle was studied in the Pampeana region of Argentina. The study was carried out at two grazing fattening periods: April 1995/July 1996 and April 1997/July 1998. During both periods, 60 weaned calves that grazed contaminated pastures, were divided into three groups during the first part of the periods: GY1 group was treated every 2 weeks with doramectin while GY2 and GY3 groups remained untreated. During the second part of the periods, from October onwards GY1 and GY2 remained untreated and GY3 was treated every 2 weeks. In this second period two new groups of 20 weaning young calves were added: TG (treated every 2 weeks) and UG (untreated). Egg counts (EPG), larval cultures, pasture larval counts, serum pepsinogen (Pep) and live weight gain (LWG) were recorded monthly. Ostertagia, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus and Haemonchus were the predominant genera. Despite low levels of previous infection during the first part of the period, slight differences of EPG between GY1 (P<0.09) or UG (P<0.05) and GY2 were detected in the second part of the fattening period in 1995/1996. In 1997/1998 moderate infection levels during the first part of the period were observed. During the second part of this period, GY1 and UG showed higher (P<0.001) EPG than GY2, and only GY3 and TG had (P<0.05) lower Pep levels. Also, during the second part of 1997/1998, LWG responses of GY3 were higher (P<0.001) than those of GY1 and GY2. Live weight gain of GY2 exceeded GY1 by 10.7kg (P<0.006). Higher EPG and lower LWG of GY1 suggest that suppressive treatments negatively affected the level of resistance to infection of yearlings, but these effects were influenced by previous levels of nematode infection. The lack of differences between yearling (GY1) and calves (UG) groups suggest that, under the conditions of this study, there was no evidence that resistance to infection and the related parameters are influenced by the age.

Age Factors↗