Resistance of Santa Ines and crossbred ewes to naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infections

This trial was carried out in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil, to comparatively evaluate the degree of resistance to naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep of the following genetic groups: purebred Santa Ines (SI), SI crossbred with Dorper (DO × SI), Ile de France (IF × SI), Suffolk (SU × SI), and Texel (TE × SI). Fifteen ewes from each group were raised indoors until 12 months of age. At this age, they were moved to pasture that was naturally contaminated by nematode infective larvae and were evaluated from December to May, 2007. Rainfall ranged from 267 mm in January to 37 mm in April. Maximum and minimum mean temperatures ranged from 32.5 °C to 19.0 °C in March and from 25.9 °C to 12.8 °C in May. There was an increase in the mean number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) after animals were placed on pasture with significant difference between the SI (80 EPG) and IF × SI (347 EPG) groups in January; and the DO × SI (386 EPG) and TE × SI (258 EPG) groups in May. The highest mean fecal egg count (FEC), 2073 EPG, was recorded for the TE × SI group in February. All groups showed a progressive reduction in body weight throughout the experiment of 12.0% (TE × SI) to 15.9% (SU × SI). In general, the animals with the highest FEC presented the lowest packed cell volumes (PCV); the highest correlation coefficient between FEC × PCV occurred in the SU × SI sheep in January (r = −0.70; P < 0.01). Similarly, there was an inverse relationship between FEC and blood eosinophil values, with the highest correlation coefficient in the TE × SI sheep in February (r = −0.64; P < 0.05). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against Haemonchus contortus antigens increased in all groups as a result of the exposure to parasites and remained relatively constant until the end of the study, with the exceptions of SU × SI and TE × SI, which showed a rise in IgG levels during the last sampling that coincided with a reduction in mean FEC. In conclusion, crossbreeding Santa Ines sheep with any of the breeds evaluated can result in a production increase and the maintenance of a satisfactory degree of infection resistance, especially against H. contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, the major nematodes detected in this flock.     

Babesia gibsoni infection among dogs in the southeastern United States

OBJECTIVE: To identify subclinical Babesia gibsoni infection in American Pit Bull Terriers from the southeastern United States and to determine the genetic sequence of parasite DNA isolated from these dogs. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 33 American Pit Bull Terriers and 87 dogs of various other breeds. PROCEDURE: Blood smears were examined for microscopic evidence of the parasite, and DNA was extracted from blood samples and used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay designed to amplify the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence of B. gibsoni. Amplification products of the expected size were sequenced, and sequences were compared with published sequences for B. gibsoni isolates. Hematocrit, platelet count, mean platelet volume, WBC count, and eosinophil count were compared between dogs with positive PCR assay results and dogs with negative results. RESULTS: Results of the PCR assay were positive for 18 of the 33 (55%) American Pit Bull Terriers, including all 10 dogs with microscopic evidence of parasitemia. Only 1 of these dogs was clinically ill at the time blood samples were collected. Results of microscopic evaluation of blood smears and of the PCR assay were negative for the 87 other dogs. Hematocrit and platelet count were significantly lower in dogs with positive PCR assay results than in dogs with negative results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that American Pit Bull Terriers in the southeastern United States may be subclinically infected with B. gibsoni. However, subclinical infection was not identified in dogs of other breeds from the same geographic area.     

Exploring the genetic resistance to natural gastrointestinal nematode infection in Indian goats

The present study investigated the genetic component of host resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in two goat breeds in a semi-arid climatic region of India. The study was carried out on 888 animals belonging to two goat breeds. Live weight, faecal egg counts (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) following natural parasite challenge were measured at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age over a 3-year period. Pedigree relationships between goats extending back 3 generations were available. The study estimated the heritabilities of indicator traits (FEC and PCV) in goats and also quantified relationships between indicator traits and growth traits at the genetic, phenotypic and environmental level. It also provided an insight for the inclusion of genetic information on resistance to nematode infection into breeding programmes. The heritabilities of the indicator traits were low to moderate in this population. Genetic correlations between FEC at 6, 9 and 12 months of age were strong (approaching unity) indicating that the trait may be controlled by same genes at these different ages. The genetic correlation between FEC and PCV from 6 months of age onwards was negative and moderate to strong. Correlations between FEC and growth traits tended to be negative. Selection index modeling investigated the use of FEC, PCV and bodyweight in selection schemes. Selection based on the measurements at 9 months of age was proposed as a means of improving productivity as well as reducing pasture contamination, thereby enhancing sustainable livestock production.     

Effect of supplementation of allicin on methanogenesis and ruminal microbial flora in Dorper crossbred ewes

Background: Garlic extracts have been reported to be effective in reducing methanogenesis. Related mechanisms are not well illustrated, however, and most studies have been conducted in vitro. This study investigates the effects of supplementary allicin(AL) in sheep diet on in vivo digestibility, rumen fermentation, and shifts of microbial flora.Methods: Two experiments were conducted using Dorper × thin-tailed Han crossbred ewes. In experiment 1,eighteen ewes(60.0 ± 1.73 kg BW) were randomly assigned for 29 days to either of two dietary treatments: a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 2.0 g AL/head?day to investigate supplementary AL on nutrient digestibility and methane emissions. In experiment 2, six ewes(65.2 ± 2.0 kg BW) with ruminal canulas were assigned to the same two dietary treatments as in experiment 1 for 42 days to investigate supplementary AL on ruminal fermentation and microbial flora. The methane emissions were determined using an open-circuit respirometry system and microbial assessment was done by q PCR of 16 S r RNA genes.Results: Supplementary AL increased the apparent digestibility of organic matter(P 0.001), nitrogen(P = 0.006),neutral detergent fiber(P 0.001), and acid detergent fiber(P = 0.002). Fecal nitrogen output was reduced(P = 0.001)but urinary nitrogen output was unaffected(P = 0.691), while nitrogen retention(P = 0.077) and nitrogen retention/nitrogen intake(P = 0.077) tended to increase. Supplementary AL decreased methane emissions scaled to metabolic bodyweight by 5.95 %(P = 0.007) and to digestible organic matter intake by 8.36 %(P = 0.009). Ruminal p H was unaffected(P = 0.601) while ammonia decreased(P = 0.024) and total volatile fatty acids increased(P = 0.024) in response to supplementary AL. Supplementary AL decreased the population of methanogens(P = 0.001) and tended to decrease that of protozoans(P = 0.097), but increased the populations of F. succinogenes(P 0.001), R. flavefaciens(P = 0.001), and B. fibrisolvens(P = 0.001).Conclusions: Supplementation of AL at 2.0 g/head?day effectively enhanced OM, N, NDF, and ADF digestibility and reduced daily methane emissions(L/kg BW0.75) in ewes, probably by decreasing the population of ruminal protozoans and methanogens.     

A sampling of factors relative to the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematode parasites of cattle in the United States.

Gastrointestinal nematodosis of cattle is a parasitic condition resulting from an immense and seemingly forever-expanding array of factors. Countless determinants influence the incidence and severity of the species-specific infections that occur in cattle, determinants that affect the free-living or environmental stages of the parasites and the parasitic stages. The vast majority of animals have a subclinical or economic level of parasitism undetectable to the eye but quantified more accurately by treatment-induced improved performance (e.g., feed efficiency, nitrogen balance, weight gain, milk production). Unfortunately, the results of treatment (effectiveness and improved animal performance) sometimes can be as varied as the parasitisms that are being treated.     

Genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Rh?n sheep following natural infection.

Genetic parameters of resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes were estimated in Rh?n sheep, a local sheep breed in Germany. In the first year, a total of 131 lambs (born between January and February 1998) from five rams were evaluated. Faecal egg counts (FEC) (n=1528) were measured in all lambs every 2 weeks until 4 months of age and every 4 weeks until 12 months of age in female lambs. In the second year, a total of 129 lambs (born between January and February 1999) from the same rams were evaluated. FEC (n=645) were measured in the lambs every 4 weeks until 5 months of age. Blood was taken in both years at the time of faecal sampling from the jugular vein and haematocrit was measured. Heritabilities for log(10)(FEC+25) were between 0.11 and 0.44. Heritabilities for the corresponding haematocrits were between 0.19 and 0.26 depending on the number of samples taken in account. A significant negative correlation was estimated for the parameters of FEC and daily weight gain (r=-0.57). The results confirm the feasibility of genetic selection in Rh?n sheep for resistance to nematode parasites in an environment where Trichostrongylus spp./Teladorsagia spp., Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia spp. are the dominant species. Breeding decisions can be based on one or two samples depending on the mean values and ranges of FEC and haematocrit, respectively.     

The relative resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection of three British sheep breeds

The relative resistance of Manx Loaghtan, Shetland and Southdown sheep to naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infection was assessed over a ten week period. Thirty shearling ewes, ten from each of the three breeds, were co-grazed on an infective pasture. The animals were initially treated with an anthelmintic to minimise previous nematode infection, and faecal samples were collected from individual animals every two weeks. Southdown sheep had significantly higher faecal egg counts (FEC) than Shetland by week 6, and than Manx Loaghtan by week 10. After ten weeks there was an 86-fold difference in FEC between Shetland and Southdown sheep, and a 14-fold difference between Manx Loaghtan and Southdown sheep. These preliminary results suggest that primitive Shetland and Manx Loaghtan sheep may have greater resistance to gastrointestinal parasites, a trait that could be of value to the UK livestock industry.     

Failure of Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce gastrointestinal nematode infections in dairy ewes

A field study was conducted on three Swiss farms to investigate the efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans against naturally acquired infections of gastrointestinal nematodes in adult dairy sheep. On each farm the ewes were divided into two equal groups. One group received Duddingtonia during a period of 4 months at a daily dose rate of 10(6) chlamydospores per kilogram body weight, the second group acted as controls. At an overall moderate infection level in all farms D. flagrans did not have a significant effect on the observed parasitological parameters with the exception of a significantly reduced herbage infectivity in one farm. In contrast, the results from faecal cultures indicated a mean suppression of larval development during the fungus-feeding period between 82, 89 and 93% on the three farms, respectively. The discrepancy observed between the fungus efficacy in coprocultures and on pasture, which was also observed in several other studies deserves further research.     

Effect of season and lactation on postpartum fertility of Polypay, Dorset, St. Croix and Targhee ewes

The objective of this study was to compare rebreeding activities of spring- vs fall-lambing Polypay, Dorset, St. Croix and Targhee ewes that either suckled their lambs for 40 d or had lambs weaned at birth. Seasonal effects of male fertility were reduced by utilizing an excess number of fertile rams in the spring. Plasma concentrations of progesterone were monitored to assess days to the first normal ovulation, days to conception and estrous vs anestrous activity. Breed, season and lactation affected the rebreeding performance. Dorset ewes had similar conception rates between spring and fall but a shorter interval from lambing to first ovulation in the fall. Polypay and Targhee ewes were the opposite; they had higher conception rates in fall than in spring matings with no seasonal influence on postpartum interval. Postpartum ewes in the fall had higher conception rates, and fewer of these ewes became anestrous or had estrous cycles of abnormal duration than of those ewes lambing in the spring. Ewes that suckled for 40 d in the spring had delayed estrous activity, but when these ewes became estrual they had higher conception rates than ewes whose lambs were weaned at birth. Lactation had no inhibitory affect on the postpartum interval of fall lambing ewes. These data suggest that the response of different breeds to various components of postpartum fertility varies with season and management of the flock.     

Resistance of St. Croix lambs to Haemonchus contortus in experimentally and naturally acquired infections.

Parasitological and immunological parameters of experimental or naturally acquired infections with Haemonchus contortus were compared in St. Croix and Dorset lambs. In experimental infections, St. Croix lambs developed significantly greater levels of resistance to H. contortus, following primary exposure, as compared with Dorset lambs. This resistance was influenced both by age and by prior exposure to parasites. In grazing experiments on H. contortus-infected pasture, St. Croix lambs shed significantly fewer eggs as early as 5 weeks following initial exposure. Further, St. Croix lambs had more than 99% fewer worms in the abomasum at necropsy compared with age-matched Dorset lambs. Lymphoproliferative assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells and antigen-specific serological tests demonstrated only minor differences in immune responsiveness between the two breeds despite the dramatic parasitological differences. Similarly, abomasal mucus from both breeds had elevated levels of parasite-specific antibodies and contained substances mediating larval paralysis. In contrast, St. Croix lambs which had become resistant to nematode infection had dramatically higher numbers of globule leukocytes in the abomasal mucosa compared with Dorset lambs.     

Activities to address antimicrobial resistance in the United States

Antimicrobials are essential for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Subtherapeutic antimicrobials have been used as growth promoters for >40 years. The subject of antimicrobial resistance is not new but has gained increasing attention due to public-health concerns about multi-resistant pathogenic organisms. Numerous United States' activities do exist to address antimicrobial resistance. A surveillance system (the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System) was established in 1996 to monitor changes over time in resistance for 17 antibiotics in humans and animals. Educational campaigns have been created to promote the judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials. Producer groups are developing guidelines for judicious therapeutic antimicrobial use for their prospective species. Basic and applied research programs are being expanded to answer many of the unsolved questions regarding development, persistence, and transmission of antimicrobial resistance. This paper focuses on a federal inter-agency public-health action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance; the plan was released for public comment in 2000. This plan addresses goals and actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in humans and agriculture in four areas: surveillance; research; prevention and control; product development.     

Paramyxovirus infection in pigs with interstitial pneumonia and encephalitis in the United States.

In the last few years, newly recognized paramyxoviruses have been associated with severe disease in several animal species, including swine, as well as in human beings. Recently, a paramyxovirus was isolated from a swine herd in the northcentral United States that experienced an epizootic of respiratory and central nervous system disease. Affected pigs had interstitial pneumonia with necrotizing bronchiolitis and encephalitis characterized by lymphocytic perivasculitis and diffuse gliosis. Germ-free pigs inoculated with this isolate developed mild clinical illness and similar but less severe histopathologic lesions in lungs and brain.     

Experimental infection of Black Belly and INRA 401 straight and crossbred sheep with trichostrongyle nematode parasites

Compared to INRA 401 lambs reared in France, Black Belly (BB) lambs reared in Guadeloupe (F.W.I.) were highly resistant to both primary and secondary experimental infection with Haemonchus contortus. To investigate this huge inter-breed difference, a nucleus flock of BB was constituted, and experiments were conducted to: (i) confirm this difference in lambs born in France, (ii) check whether it was similar for Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta, and (iii) find out whether this difference was age-related. Forty BB lambs, 84 F1 lambs (BB siresxINRA 401 ewes) and 88 INRA 401 lambs born in two cohorts were used in an experimental design involving three host breeds, both genders and two age-groups (3.5- and 7-month-old when first infected). The limited availability of BB lambs made the study incomplete. Infection consisted of the administration of two doses of 10,000 infective larvae of one of the nematode species, separated by an anthelmintic treatment and an interval of 1 week before the second dose was administered. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were done on Days 28 and 35 after each infection; ewe lambs of the INRA 401 and F1 breeds were necropsied, the worm burden was established, the length of the female worms measured and the eggs in utero counted. For H. contortus and T. colubriformis, the FEC was lower in the BB than in the INRA 401 lambs, and the FEC found for the F1 lambs was intermediate. For T. circumcincta, only data for the F1 and INRA 401 lambs were available, and the FECs for these breeds were the same. In all three breeds, the FEC determined after the second dose was significantly lower than that found after the first dose in the ewe lambs, but not in the ram lambs. Infecting the lambs when they were 7- instead of 3.5-month-old significantly lowered egg excretion of both parasites in the F1 (P<0.0001), but not the INRA 401 lambs. Worm numbers in the F1 and in the INRA 401 ewe lambs confirmed the FEC data, many F1 lambs being free of T. colubriformis. The H. contortus female worms were shorter and had fewer eggs in utero in the F1 than in the INRA 401 lambs. A higher proportion of T. circumcincta was at the fourth larval stage in the F1 lambs. In conclusion, the BB breed is much more resistant than INRA 401 to H. contortus, with the F1 lambs being more like the BBs after the second dose. This difference was also found for T. colubriformis and, to a lesser extent, for T. circumcincta.     

Epidemiological observations and heterosis analysis of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in Suffolk, Gulf Coast Native, and crossbred lambs.

A crossbreeding program was conducted to evaluate the resistant status to gastrointestinal nematode parasite infection in crossbred (F1) lambs and their Suffolk and Gulf Coast Native (Native) breed counterparts. A total of 253 lambs were included in the study over 2 years. Fecal egg count (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) of 18-20 monitor lambs of each breed group in each year were collected every other week from birth to 24-30 weeks of age. The FEC and PCV of all lambs were determined at weaning (11-12 weeks of age) and at three subsequent times when anthelmintic treatment was administered. Nematode counts of wether lambs were obtained at 30 weeks of age in the first year. The epidemiological patterns of FEC and PCV of each breed group were similar in both years. The Suffolk group consistently showed the highest FEC and the lowest PCV. Conversely, the Native group had the lowest FEC and highest PCV. For the most part, all parameters for the F1 group fell intermediate to the Native and Suffolk groups. Nematode count followed the same pattern. Heterosis analysis showed that FEC, PCV, nematode count and weight gain of the F1 group favored the Native group. These results suggested that crossbreeding Suffolk to Native sheep may be a suitable way to produce lambs with improved resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection, but production may be compromised.     

Regulation of the resistance to nematode parasites of single- and twin-bearing Merino ewes through nutrition and genetic selection

Periparturient Merino ewes obtained from lines of sheep that had been selected either for increased resistance to Haemonchus contortus (R) or at random (C) were supplemented, while grazing at pasture, with either nil or 250 g/day cottonseed meal (CSM) for the 6 weeks prior to or the 6 weeks after the start of parturition. Ewes from both supplement groups had lower (mean 66% reduction) faecal egg counts (FECs) during the postpartum period and this coincided with a period of maternal body weight loss. Factors which increased the rate of maternal body weight loss, such as pregnancy and lactation status, also increased FEC. Evidence is presented that the magnitude of the periparturient rise (PPR) in FEC in grazing ewes will be greatest during periods of maternal weight loss and at these times supplementation to increase metabolisable protein (MP) supply will be most effective in increasing resistance to nematode parasites. The resistance of R ewes to nematode parasites was greater than that of C ewes throughout the experiment and was sufficiently low such that anthelmintic treatment in a commercial environment may not have been required. Irrespective of actual FEC, ewes from all treatment combinations exhibited a PPR in FEC. Reduced FEC of R ewes resulted in reduced apparent pasture larval contamination after 18 weeks of continuous grazing but supplementation was ineffective in this regard. It is suggested that integrated parasite management (IPM) programs for periparturient ewes should make use of both protein supplementation and genetic selection to increase worm resistance and reduce dependency on anthelmintics for worm control.