Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in Haryana, India

Epidemiological studies on some gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in Karnal, Ambala and Rohtak districts of Haryana (India) revealed that Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis in these hosts. The adult parasites persisted in the host throughout the year and there was no indication of hypobiosis. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on a continuous cycle of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the districts revealed that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of the parasites existed all year round.     

宁夏羊胃肠道线虫对现行驱虫药的抗药性调查

采用粪便虫卵减少试验对宁夏地区所属灵武、贺兰、盐池、吴忠、中宁、中卫、永宁和银川市郊8个县（市）的12个绵羊场、6个山羊场进行了丙硫苯咪唑和阿维菌素抗药性的随机调查。结果表明：在用丙硫苯咪唑调查的10个绵羊场和6个山羊场中，虫卵减少率在95％以下和95％的置信域下限在90％以下的有山羊场2个、绵羊场2个，证明对丙硫苯咪唑有抗药性；1个绵羊场和1个山羊场的虫卵减少率是96．3％、95．9％，但95％置信域的下限在90％以下，具有抗药性可疑；山羊群中丙硫苯咪唑的抗药性为33．3％，绵羊群为20．0％。用同样的方法调查了1个山羊场和5个绵羊场（其中有4个羊场曾执行了丙硫苯咪唑的试验），查出1个山羊场和1个绵羊场对阿维菌素具有抗药性可疑，其虫卵减少率分别为97．3％和95．5％，置信域下限在90％以下。揭示了宁夏地区羊消化道线虫对现行驱虫药的抗药状态，为今后防治提供了依据。     

The efficacy of albendazole against some gastrointestinal nematodes in goats

On the basis of worm counts in naturally infected Angora-X goats, albendazole at either 3.8 mg/kg repeated after 24 hours or as a single dose at 7.6 mg/kg, was >99% effective in removing adult Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp. Small numbers of adult Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia sp. and Chabertia ovina were present in control but not treated animals. The single dose of 7.6 mg/kg removed >99% of adult Oesophagostomum venulosum whereas the repeated dose of 3.8 mg/kg removed only 96%.     

Absence of hypobiosis in abomasal nematodes of sheep and goats in Egypt

A total of 96 abomasa from sheep and goats at the Zagazig abattoir, Sharkia Province, Egypt, were examined, during the four climatic seasons from April 1986 to March 1987, for the presence of adult and larval nematodes. Adults of Trichostrongylus axei were most numerous followed by adult Haemonchus contortus. Adult Ostertagia sp. and Parabronema skrjabini were less prevalent. There was no significant difference between sheep and goats in infection rates, but worm burdens of the nematodes other than Ostertagia sp. were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in sheep than in goats. The animals were uniformly infected with these parasites throughout the year as there were no significant differences in the incidence or intensity of infections between the four seasons. The numbers of larvae recovered from the wall of the abomasa were small in relation to the total adult worm population throughout the year with a slight increase during the summer. Hypobiosis, therefore, seems not to be important in the life cycle of abomasal nematodes of sheep and goats in Sharkia Province, Egypt.     

Dietary copper sulfate for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats

Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of goats has necessitated studies for alternative means of control. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of dietary copper sulfate for control of GIN in meat goats. Naturally infected buck kids received 0 (LC), 78 (MC) or 158 (HC) mg copper sulfate (CS)/kid daily mixed with concentrate supplement for 63 days. After 42 days the HC group was re-randomized into either the LC or MC treatment. In another study, naturally infected yearling does were offered trace mineral mix with and without CS and intake was estimated to be 140-200mg CS/day. Goats grazed bermudagrass pastures and were rotated among two or three pastures to minimize pasture effects. Fecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined every 7 days in the first experiment and 14 days in the second experiment, and goats were weighed every 28 days. On Days 49 and 56 FEC were lower in the HC-treated kids (copper by day, P<0.02), but FEC were similar on all other days in the first experiment and were similar between the two groups of does in the second experiment. Blood packed cell volume was similar among treatment groups throughout both studies. Body weight was greater in LC compared with MC or HC-supplemented kids on Days 42 and 63 (copper by day, P<0.04). Body weights of does were similar on Days 0 and 56, but were reduced in those consuming trace mineral with CS on Day 28 (copper by day, P<0.03). Dietary CS failed to control GIN in this study.     

Development and survival of free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats on pasture in the Nigerian derived savanna

Four grass plots were sequentially contaminated with goat faeces containing known numbers of unembryonated eggs of predominantly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. between October 1982 and April 1983. Four other plots were similarly contaminated with sheep faeces between February and May 1987. An additional plot was repeatedly contaminated with sheep faeces from February to April 1987. Populations of free-living stages in faeces and of infective larvae (L₃) in the herbage were subsequently monitored until the end of April and June of 1983 and 1987 respectively. During February and May 1987 two control cultures of sheep faeces were incubated in the laboratory at 25°C–30°C and at a constant temperature of 50°C and the free-living development was also monitored. L₃ developed very readily in the faeces cultured at 25°C–30°C and in those spread on a grass plot in October, at the end of the wet season, but developed less on the plot contaminated in May at the start of the wet season. Worm eggs in faeces deposited on plots during the hot dry season (December to April) or incubated at 50°C died and disintegrated after 24–48 h exposure to the high environmental temperatures. The results indicate that it is unlikely that gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats can develop or survive on open pasture during the dry season in the Nigerian derived savanna zone.     

The effect of double infections with trypanosomes and gastrointestinal nematodes on the productivity of sheep and goats in south Mozambique

The effect of simultaneous infections with trypanosomes (Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma congolense) and gastrointestinal nematodes on the productivity of sheep and goats was studied in 20 animals (6 male goats and 14 male sheep) at a farm near Maputo. The animals were divided into 4 groups which received either treatment against gastrointestinal nematodes, or against trypanosomes, or treatment against both, or no treatment at all.In two-weekly and later in weekly intervals body weight, packed cell volume, body temperature, worm egg burdens and occurence of trypanosomes in the peripheral blood were recorded. Body temperature and packed cell volume did not show the expected close relation to an infection with either trypanosomes or gastrointestinal nematodes, but the differences in the increase of body weight among the 4 groups were very considerable.Animals receiving both treatments gained an average of 13.5 kg in body weight in 40 weeks compared with 5.1 kg (surviving animals with treatment against worm parasites), 6.5 kg (surviving animals with treatment against trypanosomes) and 3.4 kg (surviving animals without any treatment). Of the last 3 groups 1 sheep (21 kg), 2 sheep (50 kg) and 1 sheep (21 kg), respectively, died.One goat, treated against gastrointestinal nematodes, but suffering from an infection with Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma congolense was killed at the end of the experiment. A striking finding during the post-mortem examination was the complete hyperplasia of the red-marrow of the right and left femur.     

Adrenal function in Angora goats: a comparative study of adrenal steroidogenesis in Angora goats, Boer goats, and Merino sheep

South African Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) are susceptible to stress conditions, possibly due to adrenal cortex malfunction. Selection for mohair production may reduce adrenal function and decrease cortisol production. Secretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex is essential for the induction of several gluconeogenic enzymes that enable animals to survive stressful conditions, and adrenocortical insufficiency, therefore, precipitates a vulnerability to stress. In this study, Angora goats were compared with two breeds generally accepted as hardy, Boer goats (Capra hircus) and Merino sheep (Ovis aries). Adrenal steroidogenesis was studied using subcellular fractions prepared from the adrenal glands of freshly slaughtered animals. Adrenal microsomes and mitochondria were incubated with the relevant steroid substrates, and products were analyzed and quantified with TLC, HPLC, or RIA. Subsequently, the activity of individual enzymes involved in this pathway were further investigated. The cytochrome P450 content in the preparations was also compared. The results from these studies indicated that the activity of the cytochrome P450c17 enzyme in Angora goats differed (P < .01) from that of the other species investigated. This difference may contribute to the cause of the observed hypoadrenocorticism in Angora goats.     

Garlic and papaya lack control over gastrointestinal nematodes in goats and lambs

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) continue to hinder small ruminant production because of anthelmintic resistance and lack of effective products for GIN control in organic production. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a commercially available certified organic garlic product, fresh garlic juice, or garlic bulbs as an anthelmintic to control GIN in goats and papaya seeds for GIN control in lambs. In the first experiment, weaned meat goat kids were administered water or a commercial garlic juice product (n = 7/treatment). In the second experiment, kids were administered water, fresh garlic juice, or fed garlic bulbs (n = 9 or 10/treatment). In a third experiment, lambs were administered nothing or papaya seed in water (n = 12/treatment). Naturally infected goats were supplemented with bermudagrass hay and corn/soybean supplement in the first experiment or maintained on bermudagrass pasture in the second experiment or lambs grazed mixed grasses in the third. Blood and fecal samples were collected on Days 0, 7, and 14 after administration of treatment to examine changes in blood packed cell volume (PCV) and fecal egg counts (FEC). PCV and FEC were similar by Day 14 between kids treated with a commercial garlic juice and water in the first experiment. Similarly, PCV was not different among treatment groups in the second experiment. FEC of the garlic juice group was lower than the other two groups on Day 0, but was similar among groups by Day 14. Deworming was required in one goat within each treatment group by Day 7 and in three kids in the garlic juice group and two in the garlic bulb group by Day 14. No changes in PCV or FEC were apparent in response to papaya seed compared with untreated lambs. Based on the alternative plant products used in this study, garlic or papaya seed is not recommended as an aid to control GIN in goats or lambs.     

Fecundity of gastrointestinal trichostrongylid nematodes of sheep in the field

Twenty-two Dorset Rambouillet lambs were moved to contaminated pasture on Apr 1, 1987. At regular intervals thereafter, pairs of lambs were withdrawn and euthanatized. Gastrointestinal parasites in the abomasum, small intestine, cecum, and large intestine were removed and counted. The last pair of lambs was euthanatized 8 months after original placement on the contaminated pasture. Fecal samples were taken at 3- to 4-week intervals throughout the grazing season and the fecal egg counts were used to estimate parasite fecundity (output of eggs per female parasite per day). The principal parasite genera found included Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp, and Nematodirus spp. In each of the genera examined, parasite fecundity remained the same irrespective of the intensity or duration of infection. Estimated average fecundities (eggs/female/day) were as follows: Haemonchus contortus, 6,582; Trichostrongylus spp, 262; Nematodirus spp, 40; and Oesophagostomum venulosum, 11,098.     

Epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminths infections in Dorper sheep in a semi-arid area of Kenya

A survey on the prevalence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal helminths of Dorper sheep in relation to age and weather factors was carried out on a ranch in Kajiado district, a semi-arid area of Kenya for a period of 13 months (May 1999 to May 2000). Faecal samples from lambs (3 months to 1 year), yearlings (1-2 years) and adult breeding ewes (2-4 years) were examined for helminth egg output and helminth genus composition at 3-week intervals. The results indicated that the prevalence of strongyle and tapeworms infections were highest for lambs, followed by the adult breeding ewes and then for the yearlings. In all age groups the proportions of infected animals were higher during the wet season than in the dry season for both nematodes and tapeworms. The mean strongyle egg counts were higher during the dry season for lambs, but were higher during the wet season for the other age groups. Mixed strongyle infections were detected, with Trichostrongylus (55 %), Haemonchus (28 %), Cooperia (10.5 %) and Oesophagostomum (6.5 %) being the most frequently encountered genera throughout the study period. The trends in strongyle faecal egg counts indicated the occurrence of hypobiosis, with resumption of development towards the end of the dry season and at the onset of the short rains in October and November. Self-cure was also observed in September and November in all age groups, although less frequently in lactating ewes. The prevalence and intensities of infection with gastrointestinal helminths in this area appeared to be influenced by the age of the host and weather factors.     

Oxfendazole--anthelmintic activity in Egyptian goats artificially infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.

The recently developed benzimidazole anthelmintic, oxfendazole, was tested against artificial nematode infestations in Egyptian goats using oral dosing at 4.5 and 2.8 mg/kg. A 100% clearance of mature and immature Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, Ostertagia circumcincta, Coopera curticei, Bunostomum trigonocephalum and Chabertia ovina was obtained at the 4.5 mg/kg level. Very high levels of clearance against the mature worms were obtained at 2.8 mg/kg but the drug was less effective against immature worms at the lower dose rate. PCV, hemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte counts declined after infection but became significantly (P less than 0.001) raised in treated animal.