Parasites of South African wildlife. II. Helminths of kudu, tragelaphus strepsiceros, from South West Africa/Namibia

A total of 23 kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, were shot at 2-month intervals from June 1983 to April 1984 in the Etosha Game Reserve in the north of South West Africa/Namibia. The parasite survey conducted on these animals yielded 2 cestode and 12 nematode species. Haemonchus vegliai and Cooperia neitzi were the most prevalent nematodes and occurred in 13 animals each, followed by Cooperia acutispiculum and an Onchocerca sp. (9 animals each). The remaining nematodes were present in 4 (17%) or fewer of the antelope. C. neitzi was the most numerous nematode, a total of 3,564 being recovered from all the antelope, followed by C. acutispiculum (2,552) and H. vegliai (1,050). Individual total worm burdens varied from 4-1,326 with 2 kudu harbouring no worms. The mean burden of 399 worms was considered negligible. A single kudu was shot in the Namib-Naukluft Park in the south of the country. This animal harboured no parasites.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. IX. Helminths of kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, in the eastern Cape Province

The helminths of 25 kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, from 3 localities in the eastern Cape Province were collected, counted and identified. The majority of kudu harboured no worms, and the burdens of those infected were small. A race of Cooperia rotundispiculum, a Dictyocaulus sp., a Haemonchus sp., Nematodirus helvetianus and Ostertagia ostertagi were recovered. Two parasites, Nematodirus helvetianus and Ostertagia ostertagi can be added to the list of helminth parasites of kudu in South Africa.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. XII. Helminths of Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, in Natal.

The helminths of 77 nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, from 4 game reserves in Natal, were collected, counted and identified. Ten nematode species and 4 nematode genera, a trematode species and paramphistomes, and 2 cestode genera were recovered from the antelope. Of these, a Cooperia rotundispiculum race, Gaigeria pachyscelis, a Gongylonema sp., Haemonchus vegliai, Impalaia tuberculata, an Oesophagostomum sp., a Setaria sp., Trichostrongylus deflexus, Trichostrongylus falculatus, the larval stage of a Taenia sp., a Thysaniezia sp. and Schistosoma mattheei are new parasite records for this host. Individual nematode helminth burdens varied from 3 to 13 493 and the total mean nematode burden was 700. The mean burdens of nyala from Mkuzi were the largest and those from animals from the Umfolozi Game Reserve and the False Bay Park the smallest. Ostertagia harrisi was the most prevalent nematode, and it was also the most numerous in nyala from Umfolozi, Mkuzi and False Bay. A race of Cooperia rotundispiculum was the most numerous in nyala from Ndumu. No clear-cut trends in the seasonal abundance could be discerned for any of the worm species recovered in this study.     

Helminth parasites of gemsbok (Oryx gazella) in the Klein Karoo

The number and species of helminth parasites from three gemsbok (Oryx gazella) were recorded, and their faecal nematode egg counts and the level of pasture contamination determined. Six nematode genera were recovered and four species identified, of which Trichostrongylus rugatus was the most prevalent. Other nematode species recovered were Cooperia sp., Agriostomum sp., Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus spathiger and Ostertagia ostertagi. None of the worms were present in all animals studied, and no new host associations were found. Cysticerci were recovered from the mesenteries of one gemsbok and a further two unidentifiable helminths were recovered from the abomasum and the kidney fat layer of another antelope.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. XI. Description of a new race of Cooperia rotundispiculum Gibbons & Khalil, 1980.

During surveys of the helminths of South African wildlife, a Cooperia sp. that closely resembles Cooperia rotundispiculum Gibbons & Khalil, 1980, was recovered from several antelope species. This nematode has spicules 0,140-0,248 mm long and has 18-20 longitudinal cuticular ridges, whereas typical C. rotundispiculum has spicules 0,179-0,226 mm long and has 14 ridges. In view of the few differences between the 2 helminths, the Cooperia sp. is described here as a race of C. rotundispiculum.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. VII. Helminths of suni, Neotragus moschatus, in Natal

The helminths of 4 suni, Neotragus moschatus, from the Tembe National Elephant Park, KwaZulu, Natal, were collected, counted and identified. Cooperia hungi, a race of Cooperia rotundispiculum, Haemonchus vegliai, Setaria cornuta, a Skrjabinema sp., Strongyloides papillosus, Trichostrongylus anomalus and Trichostrongylus deflexus are new parasite records for suni in Africa. Megacooperia woodfordi was recovered for the first time from South African antelope.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. III. Helminths of common reedbuck, Redunca arundinum, in Natal

Twenty-six common reedbuck, Redunca arundinum, were shot in pairs at monthly intervals for 13 consecutive months in the Himeville region of Natal. Ten nematode species, 2 cestodes and 1 trematode were recovered from these animals. Cooperia yoshidai was both the most numerous and most prevalent worm and peak burdens occurred during summer. Thirty-one reedbuck, killed at different intervals in various localities within the St. Lucia Reserve, harboured between 4 and 11 nematode species, 1 cestode and 1 trematode. With the exception of 4 reedbuck shot during January 1987, in which Haemonchus contortus was the most abundant worm, C. yoshidai was again both the most abundant and most prevalent worm. Peak burdens of this nematode occurred during autumn to spring. The helminths of 5 impala, Aepyceros melampus, also shot in the St. Lucia Reserve were examined. Some of the worm species of impala were also found in the reedbuck from the same locality and the helminths of the 2 antelope species are compared. An amended list, which includes several new records of the parasites of common reedbuck in South Africa is provided.     

The helminth parasites of various artiodactylids from some South African nature reserves

The helminth species composition and helminth burdens of 4 grey duikers, 12 bushbuck, 2 nyala, 2 giraffe, a steenbok, an oribi, a waterbuck and a tsessebe from the Kruger National Park (KNP); of a steenbok and a greater kudu from the farm Riekerts Laager, Transvaal; of a single blue duiker from the Tsitsikama Forest National Park, and of a blue wildebeest, a red hartebeest, a gemsbok and 2 springbok from the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (KGNP) were collected, counted and identified. New parasite records are: Agriostomum equidentatum from the gemsbok, Cooperia neitzi from the bushbuck, Cooperia sp. from the gemsbok and the red hartebeest, Cooperia yoshidai from the waterbuck and the tsessebe, Dictyocaulus viviparus from the bushbuck, Haemonchus bedfordi from the waterbuck, Haemonchus contortus from the gemsbok, Haemonchus krugeri from the steenbok from the KNP, Impalaia nudicollis from the gemsbok and the red hartebeest, Impalaia tuberculata from the oribi and the waterbuck, Impalaia spp. from the kudu, Longistrongylus meyeri from the steenbok from Riekerts Laager and the gemsbok, Longistrongylus sabie from the steenbok from the KNP, Longistrongylus schrenki from the tsessebe, Parabronema sp. from the tsessebe and the red hartebeest, Paracooperia serrata from the gemsbok and the steenbok from the KGNP, Pneumostrongylus calcaratus from the bushbuck, Strongyloides sp. from the gemsbok, Trichostrongylus sp. from the gemsbok, the red hartebeest and the steenbok from the KGNP, Trichostrongylus axei from the blue duiker, Trichostrongylus falculatus from the bushbuck and the oribi, Trichostrongylus instabilis from the bushbuck, the steenbok from the KNP and the oribi and Trichostrongylus thomasi from the grey duikers and tsessebe. Host specificity of the parasites was not marked and crossinfestation was common. This was not true for the giraffe, since none of the helminths of these animals were found in the antelope and vice versa.     

Some helminth and arthropod parasites of the grey duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia

Sixteen grey duikers were culled on the farm Riekert 's Laager in the central Transvaal at irregular intervals from May 1979-March 1981. One trematode species, 3 cestode species and 16 nematode species were recovered from these animals. Of these the following are new helminth records for this antelope: Cooperia hungi , Cooperia neitzi , Cooperia pectinata , Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus falculatus , Trichostrongylus instabilis , Impalaia tuberculata , Nematodirus sp. and Paramphistomum sp. In addition, 6 species of ixodid ticks were collected. These, in order of abundance, were Amblyomma hebraeum (55,9%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (36,6%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (5,1%), Boophilus decoloratus (2,3%), Boophilus microplus (0,05%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (0,05%). Only 60 (2,8%) of the 2 118 ticks that were collected were adults. Of the 3 species of lice that were recovered, Linognathus zumpti zumpti was most abundant (58,9%), but, out of a total of 1 498 collected, 1 496 occurred on 1 animal only. Linognathus breviceps constituted 29,5% and Damalinia lerouxi 11,6% of the total. A total of 277 specimens of the hippoboscid fly Lipoptena paradoxa were collected from 12 of the 16 animals examined. Trends in the seasonal fluctuation of Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Impalaia , Lipoptena and the immature stages of Amblyomma and R. appendiculatus are graphically illustrated.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. XIII. Helminths of grey rhebuck, Pelea capreolus, and of bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, in the Bontebok National Park.

A total of 25 grey rhebuck, Pelea capreolus, and 16 bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, were shot for parasite recovery at bi-monthly intervals in the Bontebok National Park, south-western Cape Province, from February 1983 to December 1983 and February 1983 to February 1984, respectively. The grey rhebuck and the bontebok each harboured 9 nematode species and the latter animals 1 cestode species. Ostertagia hamata was most abundant and most prevalent in the grey rhebuck and Longistrongylus curvispiculum and Nematodirus spathiger in the bontebok. Longistrongylus schrenki is recorded for the first time in grey rhebuck, and Trichostrongylus falculatus and Moniezia expansa in bontebok. The total nematode burdens of the bontebok were considerably larger than those of the grey rhebuck. No clear pattern of seasonal abundance for the helminths of either host species was evident.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. X. Helminths of red duikers, Cephalophus natalensis, in Natal

The helminths of the following red duikers, Cephalophus natalensis, were examined: 24 from 3 game reserves in Natal and 1 that had originated from Charters Creek, Natal, shortly before it died in the National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria. The 21 animals from Charters Creek harboured 16 nematode species, a nematode genus, 2 cestode species and paramphistomes. The 2 red duiker from Fanies Island harboured 4 nematode species, 3 nematode genera and 1 cestode species, while the single red duiker from Ndumu was infected with 3 nematode species. The antelope from the National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, harboured 2 nematode species, 1 nematode genus and 1 cestode species. A race of Cooperia rotundispiculum was the most abundant nematode in duikers from all the reserves. Hyostrongylus rubidus is a new parasite record in South Africa and in red duikers, and was present in 80% of the antelope. Although primarily a parasite of swine, Hyostrongylus rubidus should be regarded as a definitive parasite of these antelope.     

The seasonal epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in N'Dama cattle in The Gambia

From June 1987 to June 1988, a total of 180 N'Dama cattle were necropsied to identify and enumerate parasites present, including 39 sick calves and 25 dead calves from local village herds, and 116 adult cattle from a local abattoir. Of 175 animals infected with one or more helminths (97%), Haemonchus contortus was found in 67% of all necropsied animals, Cooperia punctata in 75%, Cooperia pectinata in 55%, Oesophagostomum radiatum in 71% and Bunostomum phlebotomum in 21%. There was a wide range of worm burdens (0-22 925) and a pronounced seasonal pattern occurred. Eighty-two percent of the total adult Haemonchus burden occurred during the rainy season (June-October). By the end of the rainy season, almost 100% of the Haemonchus burden was present as inhibited larvae. By contrast, a different survival strategy appeared to occur in Cooperia spp.; Oesophagostomum spp. and Bunostomum spp., which were found as adults throughout the year. Results indicated that, apart from malnutrition during the dry season, gastrointestinal nematode infections, especially haemonchosis, represent a major constraint on the health and productivity of N'Dama cattle under West African savanna conditions.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXX. Ectoparasites of kudus in the eastern Transvaal Lowveld and the eastern Cape Province.

Sets of four kudus were shot and examined for arthropod parasites at approximately monthly intervals from April 1981 to March 1983 in the southern part of the Kruger National Park, eastern Transvaal Lowveld. These animals harboured 10 ixodid tick species of which Boophilus decoloratus followed by Amblyomma hebraeum were the most abundant. The seasonal abundances of these ticks and of Amblyomma marmoreum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis were determined. The kudus were also infested with 3 lice and 1 louse fly species, as well as the nymphs of a pentastomid. Sixteen kudus were shot in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, eastern Cape Province and 9 on an adjacent farm. These animals were infested with 12 tick species. A. hebraeum followed by Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum were the most abundant on kudus in the reserve and R. glabroscutatum followed by Haemaphysalis silacea on the animals on the farm. The seasonal abundances of A. hebraeum, A. marmoreum, H. silacea, R. appendiculatus, R. glabroscutatum and a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. oculatus) were determined on the kudus in the reserve. The kudus were also infested with 3 lice and 1 louse fly species. Two kudus examined in the Addo Elephant National Park were infested with 6 tick, 1 louse and 1 louse fly species.     

Parasites of South African wildlife. VIII. Helminth and arthropod parasites of warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, in the eastern Transvaal

Helminth and arthropod parasites were collected from 41 warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, in the Hoedspruit Nature Reserve, eastern Transvaal. This reserve consists of a military base, which is a restricted area and is surrounded by a reserve, which is open to the public. Eleven nematode species, 1 or 2 cestode species and the larvae of 2 cestode species were recovered from the animals in the reserve, and 8 nematode species and 1 or 2 cestode species were recovered from those in the military base. Oesophagostomum spp. were generally most abundant in warthogs in the reserve during the cooler months of the year, while Probstmayria vivipara also occurred in peak numbers during the cooler months, with an additional peak in October and November 1988 in warthogs in the reserve and the base, respectively. No pattern of seasonal abundance could be determined for the other helminth species. The warthogs also harboured 8 ixodid and 1 argasid tick species, 3 flea species and 1 louse species. Adult and immature Haematopinus phacochoeri were most numerous during August and September, and the largest numbers of adult Rhipicephalus simus were present from December to April.     

Studies on the parasites of zebras. III Nematodes of the mountain zebra from the farm "Kelpie" and the Namib-Naukluft Park, South West Africa/Namibia

Twelve mountain zebra which were culled at monthly intervals on the farm " Kelpie " in South West Africa/Namibia were examined for helminths. The zebras varied in age from 2-15 years, the middle group of which, aged 4-7 years, had the highest worm burdens. Fourteen species of nematodes belonging to the families Atractidae , Strongylidae , Oxyuridae , Setariidae and Spiruridae were recovered. The highest worm burdens were those of Crossocephalus sp. with 692-61 066 680 and Probstmayria vivipara with 1 257 810-42 004 300. The predominance of the atractids is discussed. The nematodes consistently present were: Cylicodontophorus n. sp. (44-2 107), Triodontophorus spp. (2-934), Cylindropharynx spp. (20-2 332), Crossocephalus sp. and P. vivipara. Two new species, Cylicostephanus longiconus and Cylicodontophorus n. sp., were reported. An additional 3 mountain zebra, culled in the Namib - Naukluft Park, were also examined for helminths. Of 3 zebras ranging in age from 2-7 years, the 2 older animals had the highest helminth burden. Ten species of the nematodes belonging to the same families mentioned above were recovered. The only Spiruridae present were 3 Habronema majus in 1 zebra. The highest worm burdens were those of Crossocephalus sp. with 64 052-883 070 and P. vivipara with 50 720-220 200. The nematodes consistently present were the same as those in the " Kelpie " zebra. In addition, a 2nd, new species of Cylicodontophorus was reported.     

Nematode parasitism in adult dairy cows in Belgium

Over a period of 1 year, from November 1997 to October 1998, the abomasa, blood and faecal samples of 121 dairy cows in Belgium were collected and examined for nematode infections. Nematodes were present in the abomasa of 110 animals. Ostertagia was found in all 110, Trichostrongylus was seen in 65 and Haemonchus in 14 abomasa. Overall, 91% of all trichostrongyles recovered were Ostertagia. The geometric mean total number of Ostertagia was 2750, with an average of 74% inhibited early fourth stage larvae (EL4). Between November and February >90% of the Ostertagia worm burden were EL4 stages. The majority of the animals (56%) harboured a low Ostertagia burden (100-5000) and 15% had a high burden (>10,000). Sixty-four percent of the coprocultures were positive and the genera recovered were Ostertagia sp. (100%), Trichostrongylus sp. (42%), Oesophagostomum (32%), Haemonchus sp. (29%) and Cooperia sp. (16%). A seasonal pattern was evident for serum Ostertagia-specific antibodies and for serum pepsinogen concentration, with the highest levels during the summer, and low values during the winter. Dictyocaulus viviparus specific antibodies were detected in the serum of eight (7%) animals.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLV. Helminths of dairy calves on dry-land Kikuyu grass pastures in the Eastern Cape Province

Successive pairs of approximately 4-month-old Friesland bull calves, raised under worm-free conditions, were exposed to helminth infection for 14 days on dry-land Kikuyu grass pastures at 28-day to monthly intervals, on a coastal farm in a non-seasonal rainfall region of the Eastern Cape Province. With the exception of one pair of calves exposed for 28 days, this procedure was repeated for 28 consecutive months from December 1982 to March 1985. The day after removal from the pastures one calf of each pair was slaughtered and processed for helminth recovery and the other 21 days later. Both members of the last four pairs of calves were killed 21 days after removal from the pastures. Sixteen nematode species were recovered from the calves, and infection with Ostertagia ostertagi was the most intense and prevalent, followed by Cooperia oncophora. The calves acquired the greatest number of nematodes from the pastures from June to October of the first year and from June to August of the second year of the survey. Few worms were recovered from the tracer calves examined from November or December to March or April in each year of the survey. The seasonal patterns of infection with Cooperia spp., Haemonchus placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum spp., O. ostertagi and Trichostrongylus axei were all similar and were negatively correlated to atmospheric temperature and evaporation. Slight to moderate arrest in the development of fourth stage larvae occurred from July to September in Cooperia spp., April to July in H. placei, and August to October in O. ostertagi and Trichostrongylus spp. during the first year of the survey. Too few worms were present in the second year to determine a seasonal pattern of arrest. Species survival during the hot and windy summer months appeared to be achieved via a combination of arrested larval development and an ageing residual population of adult worms in the host, and a small extant population of infective larvae on the pastures.     

The helminth fauna of indigenous white storks (Ciconia ciconia)

120 carcasses of white storks originating from the federal countries Saxonia-Anhalt and Brandenburg where examined between 1994 and 2000 for internal parasites. The established parasite spectrum consisted of 8 trematode (Tylodelphis excavata, Chaunocephalus ferox, Cathemasia hians, Echinostoma revolutum, Echinoparyphium sp., Monilifer spinulosus, Ignavia ciconiae and Brachylaimus sp.), 4 cestode (Anomotaenia discoidea and 3 Hymenolepidae species) and at least 3 nematode species (Capillaria spp., Syngamus palustris and Contracaecum microcephalum). 5 of the helminths are considered to be stork specific. Considering host age groups the highest percentage of infected birds was found in adults.     

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from Prague, rural areas, and shelters of the Czech Republic

The prevalence of intestinal parasites was evaluated by examination of dog faecal samples in the Prague city centre, agricultural areas, and two shelters. The overall prevalence of parasites (i.e., protozoa and helminths, mentioned below) in Prague was 17.6%. Toxocara canis was the most common parasite, and was recovered from 6.2% of dogs, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (2.4%), Cryptosporidium spp. (1.4%), Trichuris sp. (1.1%), Taenia-type (1.0%), Giardia spp. (0.1%), Toxascaris sp. (0.9%), Dipylidium sp. (0.7%), Sarcocystis spp. (0.6%), Capillaria spp. (0.6%), Neospora/Hammondia spp. (0.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.4%), Uncinaria sp. (0.4%), and Spirocerca sp. (0.2%). The prevalence of infections with helminths and protozoans in two animal shelters in Prague was examined at the dog's admittance ir reception to the shelters and during housing. T. canis eggs (6.5%), Cystoisospora (4.4%), and Giardia (3.3%) cysts were the most prevalent. Significant increases in the prevalence of some parasites were found after a stay in the shelter. Giardia spp. showed an 11-fold increase in prevalence of dogs placed in the shelters for a longer time; Cryptosporidium spp. had a 7-fold increase, Capillaria spp. a 5-fold, Spirocerca sp., Neospora/Hammondia spp., and Cystoisospora spp. a 4-fold increase over dogs examined at the time of admittance to the shelter (p<0.01). Dog in rural areas were infected significantly more frequently (p<0.01) than those in Prague. In 540 faecal samples from rural areas, the overall prevalence of parasites (i.e., protozoa and helminths mentioned below) was 41.7%. The prevalence of T. canis was 13.7%, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (8.0%), Taenia spp. (3.5%), Sarcocystis spp. (3.0%), Giardia spp. (2.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.0%), Trichuris sp. (1.7%), Toxascaris sp. (1.7%), Dipylidium sp. (1.3%), Neospora/Hammondia spp. (1.3%), Spirocerca sp. (1.1%), Uncinaria sp. (0.9%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.7%), and Capillaria spp. (0.6%). Examinations of dogs in urban and rural areas showed, with the exception of Trichuris sp. in Prague, a higher occurrence of nematode infection in autumn, notably T. canis (chi2>8.3, d.f.=3, p<0.04).