The effect of phenothiazine treatment on arrested Haemonchus contortus larvae in sheep

An experimental infection of freshly cultured Haemonchus contortus larvae was given to housed, non-pregnant sheep in October. Phenothiazine was administered to all animals shortly after patency, but the egg output remained negative until mid-April indicating that removal of adult worms from the abomasum did not stimulate the resumption of development of arrested larvae. Worm burdens at post mortem suggest that adults were not being expelled to any great degree during the winter from the host, but this information is clouded by the difference in numbers of both adult worms and arrested larvae in sheep of different haemoglobin type. The results suggest that haemoglobin type may also be a factor in arrest of larvae as it is in the resistance of sheep to adult H. contortus.     

Study on the pathogenicity of ostertagiosis due to Ostertagia circumcincta in sheep,in Iraq

The response of Awassi sheep to Ostertagia circumcincta, the most prevalent ovine strongylid species in Iraq, was studied.A dose of 100000 larvae of O. circumcincta (Iraqi strain) induced moderate clinical symptoms of ostertagiosis. These symptoms were correlated with elevated pH of the abomasal fluid and increased plasma pepsinogen levels. There was no evidence of larval inhibition since the majority of the fourth stage larvae (L₄) continued their development. No appreciable loss of worm population was observed and most of the parasites survived and exhibited a prolific egg-laying potential six moths after initial infection. Assessments of the pathophysiological changes were performed and correlated with parasitological and clinical observations.The Awassi breed of sheep, the most prevalent in the Arab Middle East, seems to be more susceptible to ostertagiosis than other breeds and there was no spontaneous self-cure in this breed.     

Development of protection and of self-cure in lambs infected daily with Ostertagia circumcincta

Lambs were infected daily with 1000 Ostertagia circumcincta larvae. At intervals of 4 weeks groups of lambs were each challenged with a dose of 28,000 larvae, and their worm burdens compared with those of unchallenged controls. The measure of their ability to resist a challenge infection, which would have determined their degree of "protection", was obscured by the separate phenomenon of self-cure. Evidence suggested that the different manifestations of self-cure were determined by the state of resistance of the host and followed a set chronological sequence.     

Polymorphism of inhibin βB gene and its relationship with litter size in sheep

The inhibin β_B (INHBB) gene was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of Small Tail Han and Hu sheep. According to the sequence of exon 1 and 2 of bovine INHBB gene, six pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 1 and 2 of INHBB gene in both high (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset, Texel and German Mutton Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP). Three pairs of primers (primers 1‐1, 1‐2 and 1‐3) were used to amplify the exon 1, and others (primers 2‐1, 2‐2 and 2‐3) to the exon 2. Only the products amplified by primer 2‐3 displayed polymorphism. For primer 2‐3, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in Hu sheep and only AA genotype in other breeds. In Hu sheep, frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.636, 0.046 and 0.318, respectively. Sequencing revealed 276A > G mutation (based on the amplification region of primer 2‐3) which did not cause any amino acid change because it lay in the 3′ untranslated region. The ewes with genotype BB had 0.58 (P < 0.01) lambs more than those with AA in Hu sheep.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths,lungworms and liver fluke in sheep and goats in Norway

The present study describes the occurrence of various gastrointestinal helminths, lungworms and liver flukes in Norwegian sheep and goats as assessed from faecal samples and post mortem examinations performed between 2007 and 2010. Faecal samples for gastrointestinal nematode egg counts were collected from 77 sheep flocks and 30 dairy goat flocks from three geographical regions in Norway. Additionally, thirty-two lambs and 16 adult goats were euthanized for necropsy examination and for identification of adult gastrointestinal nematodes and tapeworms, lungworms and liver flukes. The survey showed that there was a higher mean excretion of trichostrongyle eggs in sheep than in goats at the individual level (392 EPG vs. 154 EPG, p < 0.001). For both host species, the mean prevalence and intensity of excreted trichostrongyle eggs were significantly higher in the southern coastal region compared with the inland and northern regions (p < 0.001). Third stage larvae of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia, Haemonchus and Nematodirus type were the most prevalent ones in the coprocultures from sheep, whereas larvae of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia and Nematodirus type dominated in goats. The most prevalent gastrointestinal nematode species found at necropsy was Teladorsagia circumcincta (75.0 and 81.2% respectively in sheep and goats), while the largest mean worm burdens were recorded for Haemonchus contortus in sheep (724 ± 623) and T. circumcincta in goats (377 ± 529). Other gastrointestinal nematode species were present at low prevalence or in low numbers.     

Comparison of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with three other methods for the detection of Trichinella spiralis infections in pigs

Four methods employed in the diagnosis of trichinellosis [trichinoscopy, digestion method, immunofluorescence techniques and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)] were compared by laboratories in eight countries of the European Economic Community. Material from 24 pigs infected with 10 000, 5000, 500, 150 and 0 T. spiralis larvae was examined during a period from 17 days to 12 weeks post infection. ELISA was more sensitive than immunofluorescence during the onser of the infection in groups in infected with higher numberts of larvae (1500, 5000 and 10 000 larvae). In general, however, results of both ELISA and immunofluorescence were comparable with regard to reliability. In pigs infected with a lower number of T. spiralis larvae both serological assays were more sensitive than the direct methods (trichinoscopy and digestion method).It was concluded that not enough evidence was available to suggest ELISA as an alternative to the direct methods for slaughterhouse control. Both the ELISA and the immunofluorescence technique may prove to be applicable for epidemiological surveys.     

Possible relationship of levels of mucosal IgA and serum IgG to immune unresponsiveness of lambs to haemonchus contortus

Abomasal mucus IgA and serum IgG antibodies were studied in adult sheep and young lambs vaccinated with irradiated Haemonchus contortus larvae and subsequently challenged with normal larvae. In the adult sheep protection against challenge was associated with raised levels of these antibodies. Vaccination of the lambs, on the other hand, did not protect against challenge nor did it stimulate either serum IgG or mucus IgA antibodies. The latter remained at levels similar to those of both control lambs given a single challenge infection and worm-free adult sheep.     

Inhibited development of Obeliscoides cuniculi in rabbits: the effects of active and passive immunization and resumption of larval development

Rabbits were either actively or passively immunized against Obeliscoides cuniculi and challenged with 5 000 infective larvae (IL). Worm development was inhibited in actively immunized animals and worm egg production was impaired by administration of immune serum. Inhibited fourth stage larvae (L₄) from high-level infections (200 000 IL) and normal L₄ from low-level infections (4 000 IL) were transferred to actively immunized and normal rabbits. In both instances, large numbers of L₄ developed to maturity; however, a significant number of inhibited L₄ failed to resume development. Inhibition of larvae resulted in the development of fewer adult male than female worms, and the change in sex ratio was further accentuated in actively immunized recipients. Worm egg production was also reduced in actively immunized rabbits. These data indicate that host immune responses contribute to inhibition of O. cuniculi in rabbits and that worm egg production is also responsive to immunologic control.     

The epidemiology and pathogenic significance of haemonchosis in a merino flock in East Africa

The epidemiology of H. contortus was studied for 21 months in 80 set-stocked Merino ewes and their grazing in an endemic area in Kenya. Observations included faecal egg counts (weekly), worm burdens (monthly), haematological indices and clinical signs. The levels of infective larvae on the pasture were estimated using tracer sheep.The classical acute form of haemonchosis was seen with equal intensity in both ewes and lambs during periods of high rainfall and self-cure was confirmed as a flock phenomenon which occured simultaneously on one occasion in sheep of all ages.Not previously recognised were the uniformity of the faecal egg counts in both ewes and lambs over long periods when the worm burdens fluctuated greatly, the marked decrease in worm burdens without the occurence of classical self-cure during periods when the intake of infective larvae was low, and the inverse relationship between the individual worm-weight and the total worm population. It was also concluded that one of the most significant features of haemonchosis is not the acute syndrome so characteristically associated with the disease, but the fact that a moderate infection of a few hundred worms persisting over a period of several months will produce chronic anaemia and, ultimately, severe loss of bodily condition and deathes in ewes and lambs grazing on poor quality pasture.     

Experimental Ostertagia spp. infection of sheep: Populations and lesions in previously worm-free and previously exposed animals

Sheep raised and maintained under worm-free conditions were subjected to one heavy exposure and several low-level exposures of infective Ostertagia spp. larvae. The infections were terminated by treatment with thiabendazole. These sheep and not previously exposed controls were then challenged with 400 000 or 20 000 Ostertagia spp. larvae and killed after a further 8 days. In the previously exposed sheep, worm numbers, rate of worm development, and pathological effect, were greatly reduced. No significant differences were seen between sheep aged 6 and 18 months at the time of challenge.     

A study of some factors influencing the immunization of sheep against Haemonchus contortus using attenuated larvae

The respective roles of age of lamb, size of immunizing dose, previous exposure to infection and anthelmintic therapy on the immune response of Scottish Blackface sheep to gamma-irradiated H. contortus larvae were studied.As previously shown, young lambs immunised at 10 and 14 weeks of age failed to develop a significant resistance to subsequent challenge.In contrast, parasite-naive lambs immunised at 9 and 10 months of age with 10 000 H. contortus larvae irradiated at 60 kiloröntgens developed a highly significant immunity to subsequent challenge. This degree of immunity was not significantly altered by the administration of spaced doses of normal larvae from 10 weeks of age until the point of vaccination.Worm-free lambs vaccinated at 9 and 10 months of age failed to develop any immunity to subsequent challenge when the anthelmintic thiabendazole was administered 3 weeks after each immunizing infection.     

The response of sheep vaccinated with irradiated Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae to impulse and sequential challenge with normal larvae

Sheep aged 9–10 months were vaccinated with three doses of 20 000 irradiated Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae at fortnightly intervals. This gave 97–99% protection against subsequent “impulse” challenge with 40 000 normal larvae or “sequential” challenge with 2 000 larvae/week-day for 4 weeks.The sheep were protected against both types of challenge when worms from the immunizing infections were present at the time of challenge, and when these worms were first removed by anthelmintic treatment.     

The influence of breed on the susceptibility of sheep of Haemonchus contortus infection in Kenya.

The relative resistance of six breeds of sheep to Haemonchus contortus infection was investigated under field conditions on two stations situated in a semi-arid zone in Kenya. As judged by faecal egg counts, monitored throughout a two-year period, it was found that there were consistent differences between the breeds. The breeds studied in order of increasing susceptibility were Red Masai, Blackhead Persian, Merino, Dorper, Corriedale and Hampshire. Post mortem findings confirmed that the differences in faecal egg count were related to the establishment of worms rather than larval inhibition or the suppression of worm egg production. There was also evidence that the Red Masai showed self-cure more frequently than the other breeds.     

The effect of age on the response of sheep to vaccination with irradiated trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae

Vaccination with irradiated Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae produced a high level of immunity, as judged by faecal egg counts and worm burdens following challenge with normal larvae, in nine of ten sheep aged 10 months. In lambs aged 3 months, vaccination was less effective. Some lambs developed partial immunity, but others did not respond.Serum levels of antibodies to T. colubriformis acetylcholinesterase reflected the extent of antigenic exposure rather than the degree of immunity acquired, and there was no evidence that the unresponsiveness of the lambs was due to a deficiency in antibody production.Unresponsiveness was not associated with the numbers of circulating lymphocytes, monocytes or granulocytes, or with the numbers of mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils at the site of infection. However, there were many globule leucocytes in the intestinal mucosa of adult sheep which were resistant to challenge infection. On the other hand, few of these cells were found in vaccinated lambs which generally gave a poor response to challenge.     

Detection of antibodies to Cooperia ssp. and Ostertagia ssp. in calves with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

The ELISA technique was found to be very useful for the detection and monitoring of anti-Cooperia and anti-Ostertagia antibodies in calves. Six differens antigens were used; saline extracts from third- and fourth-stage larvae and from adult worms of both genera.Some degree of genus specificity was found when using L₄ or adult antigens but not when L₃ antigens were used. Stage-specificity could be observed for Cooperia L₄ antigen for a limited period after primary single infection. These findings were supported by the results of immuno-electrophoresis.     

FSHβ基因CDS区遗传特征及其与小尾寒羊产羔数关系的研究

选择小尾寒羊等5个绵羊群体为研究对象,采用PCR-SSCP和克隆测序等分析方法,检测促卵泡素β(FSHβ)基因CDS区的单核苷酸多态性,并分析其对小尾寒羊产羔数的遗传效应。结果表明:FSHβ基因CDS区第2外显子存在多态性,在5个绵羊群体中都表现出AA、AB和BB3种基因型。BB型第147位发生T→C的单碱基同义突变。高产羔数的小尾寒羊与甘肃高山细毛羊、特克塞尔羊、陶蒙杂种羊之间的基因型分布差异明显(P0.01)。5个绵羊群体均处于中度多态(0.25PIC0.5)。固定效应分析结果表明,场-年-季对小尾寒羊产羔数无影响(P0.05),胎次和基因型均影响产羔数(P0.05)。AA型小尾寒羊产羔数最小二乘均值比AB型的多0.77只(P0.05),比BB型的多0.74只(P0.05)。研究表明,FSHβ基因可能是控制小尾寒羊产羔数的一个主效基因或与之存在紧密连锁的一个分子遗传标记。     

Synergistic action of mebendazole and levamisole in the treatment of a benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus in sheep

One-year old worm free, merino wethers, were each infected with 5000 H. contortus larvae of a strain resistant to mebendazole at a rate of 52 mg/kg body weight of sheep. After 21 days, they were assigned to two trials. The preliminary trial showed that mebendazole and levamisole acted synergistically on the H. contortus infection. In the second trial, sheep were treated with 0.35 mg/kg levamisole (one seventh the minimum effective dose against susceptible worms) or 40 mg/kg mebendazole (40 times the minimum effective dose against susceptible worms). In each case the anthelmintics did not reduce worm burdens, although mebendazole depressed egg production. However, when mebendazole and levamisole, at the above dose rates, were administered simultaneously, total worm counts in sheep were reduced by almost 60%. Similar results were obtained when the levamisole was administered 8 h or 14 h after mebendazole treatment. The implications of these observations for the treatment of benzimidazole-resistant haemonchiasis in sheep are discussed.     

Confirmation of resistance to ivermectin by Cooperia curticei in sheep

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of resistance to a full dose of oral ivermectin by Cooperia curticei in sheep.

METHODS: Twelve lambs on a sheep and cattle property in the North Island of New Zealand were randomly allocated to one of two equal-sized groups. One group was treated orally with a single dose of ivermectin at the manufacturer's recommended dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg, while the other remained as an untreated control. Worm counts were carried out post mortem on the abomasa and small intestines of all animals in both groups 7 days after treatment.

RESULTS: While treatment with ivermectin reduced the numbers of all other worm genera to almost zero, those of Ostertagia (= Telodorsagia) circumcincta and C. curticei were reduced by only 37% and 19%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: These results provide clear evidence of resistance to ivermectin by O. circumcincta and C. curticei. They also appear to represent the first record of macrocylic lactone (ML) resistance in C. curticei in sheep in New Zealand or elsewhere.