Prevalence of helminth parasites of dogs in Lusaka,Zambia

Eighty-five dogs were examined and the numbers and types of helminth parasites found were recorded. Forty per cent of the dogs were infected with one or more helminth parasites. The most prevalent helminths were the cestodes Dipylidium caninum (24.7%) and Taenia hydatigena (17.64%). Infections were evenly distributed with sex of host. Juvenile dogs were more commonly infected with Toxocara canis than adults whereas all other helminths were found more in adult dogs.     

Prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal helminths and their effects on weight gain in free-range chickens in Central Zambia

Examination of helminths from gastrointestinal tracts of 125 free-range chickens in Zambia revealed a 95.2% prevalence rate. The species and their prevalences were: Allodapa suctoria (85.6%), Tetrameres americana (80.8%), Ascaridia galli (28.8%), Gonglonema ingluvicola (50.4%), Raillietina spp. (81.6%) and Heterakis gallinarum (32.8%). No trematodes or Syngamus trachea were found. Mixed infections accounted for 88.2% as compared to 7.2% of single infections. Effects of helminthoses on weight gain were investigated in 100 growing chickens randomly assigned to treatment (levamisole) and untreated control groups. There was a significant mean (±SEM) weight gain (grams) of 812.8 ± 51.4 in the treatment group and 623 ± 57.4 in the control group (p < 0.01). The mean (±SEM) worm burdens from the control group and the treatment group were 96.3 ± 5.61 and 22.05 ± 2.61, respectively. These results confirm the higher risk of helminth infections in free-range systems and may explain the deleterious effects in chickens.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in different poultry production systems

A cross-sectional prevalence study of gastrointestinal helminths in Danish poultry production systems was conducted on 268 adult chickens selected at random from 16 farms in Denmark from October 1994 to October 1995. The trachea and the gastrointestinal tract of each bird was examined for the presence of helminths. In the free-range/organic systems the following helminths were found: Ascaridia galli (63.8%), Heterakis gallinarum (72.5%), Capillaria obsignata (53.6%), Capillaria anatis (31.9%) and Capillaria caudinflata (1.5%). In the deep-litter systems: A. galli (41.9%), H. gallinarum (19.4%) and C. obsignata (51.6%). In the battery cages: A. galli (5%) and Raillietina cesticillus or Choanotaenia infundibulum (3.3%). Exact identification of the cestodes was not possible because of missing scolexices. In the broiler/parent system: C. obsignata (1.6%), and finally for the backyard system: A. galli (37.5%) H. gallinarum (68.8%), C. obsignata (50.0%), C. anatis (56.3%) and C. caudinflata (6.3%). The results confirm the higher risk of helminth infections in free-range and backyard systems but prevalence may also be high in deep litter systems.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in domestic bison herds in northwestern Alberta

A fecal survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth eggs found in 431 domestic bison from 22 herds. Eggs detected (percent of herds affected in parentheses) were: strongyle-type (100%), Capillaria sp. (63.6%), Moniezia sp. (54.6%), Nematodirus sp. (50%), Trichuris sp. (40.9%), and Strongyloides sp. (9.1%).     

Prevalence and significance of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa in South American Camelids in Switzerland

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and significance of endoparasitic infections in South American Camelids (SAC) in Switzerland. Qualitative and quantitative coproscopic examinations were performed in 38 farms during the grazing period. Management practices with possible interference with parasitic infections were analyzed. On the farm level prevalences of endoparasitic infections were: trichostrongyles 87%; Trichuris sp. 74%; Capillaria sp. 68%; Nematodirus battus 63%; Nematodirus sp. 53%; Dicrocoelium dendriticum 34%; Moniezia sp. 8%; Fasciola hepatica 5%; protostrongylids 5%; Eimeria macusaniensis 68%. The level of helminth egg excretion was generally low. The highest values were recorded for trichostrongyles with an average of all investigated farms of 53 eggs per gram of faeces. The mean trichostrongyle egg output was approximately three-fold in SAC on farms that also kept sheep and/or goats, although this difference was not significant (P = 0.11). Clinical trichostrongylidosis was not reported from any of the farms. The low infection level with gastrointestinal nematodes is attributed to the defaecation behaviour of the SAC depositing their faeces focally on small spots on pasture. As a consequence, pasture infectivity is largely restricted to the area adjacent to the dung piles. Dicrocoeliosis is regarded as the most relevant parasitic infection of llamas and alpacas in Switzerland causing severe clinical symptoms and death in untreated animals. Sixteen per cent of the owners regularily treated their herds against dicrocoeliosis using praziquantel at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight orally.     

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.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and anthelmintic resistance on small-scale farms in Gauteng Province,South Africa

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal helminths, to detect the presence of anthelmintic resistance...     

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and gastrointestinal helminths in cats euthanized at animal control agencies in northwest Georgia

Cats euthanized at six northwest Georgia animal control agencies were examined for adult Dirofilaria immitis in heart and lung tissue and presence of gastrointestinal helminth ova by fecal flotation. D. immitis were found in 4 of 184 cats (2.1%). The prevalence of feline dirofilariasis in northwest Georgia was lower than that found in other studies conducted in the southeastern United States, but closer to the prevalences occurring in areas of similar topography. Heartworm antigen and antibody tests performed on batched serum samples resulted in low sensitivity and high specificity. Gastrointestinal helminth ova were found in 39.6% of the fecal samples examined and 6.1% of the samples contained two or more species.     

Efficacy of nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, against natural infections of canine gastrointestinal helminths

Nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, was highly efficacious against natural infections of all the major canine gastrointestinal helminths. At single oral dosages of 0.2-0.4 mg kg-1 body weight (BW), a liquid formulation administered in gelatin capsules was 100% effective in eliminating natural infections of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala. Tablets (267 mg) containing 4.6% nemadectin given at a rate of 1/3 tablet per 20 kg BW (0.2 mg nemadectin kg-1) were 100% active against T. canis, A. caninum and U. stenocephala. With both formulations, an increase in the dose rate to 0.6-0.8 mg kg-1 BW resulted in 99-100% elimination of Trichuris vulpis infections. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the treated dogs.     

A survey on anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of sheep in Lusaka,Zambia

While surveys in Southern Africa indicate anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to be common in small ruminants in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe there have been no reports of resistance in Zambia. The objective of this study was to determine whether anthelmintic resistance occurs in Zambia, and to obtain information on nematode control practices in the country. During the rainy season six commercial sheep farms were selected in and around Lusaka and Chisamba. Worm control practices were gauged by means of a questionnaire, and the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test was performed for assessing anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole, levamisole and ivermectin. On all farms anthelmintic treatment was the only approach used to control nematode infections. Frequency of treatment varied from twice a year to every 6 weeks and drugs of different anthelmintic groups were alternated within the same year. There was a wide range in faecal egg counts of individual sheep before treatment, with some individual counts of up to 87000. Larval identification showed that Haemonchus was almost the only genus recovered from the faecal cultures before and after treatment. Albendazole resistance was found on five of the six farms. On each of the four farms where ivermectin gave less than 95% reduction in egg counts, there was resistance to albendazole as well. Levamisole showed an efficacy of 95% or higher on all six farms.     

Activity of ivermectin against canine intestinal helminths

The anthelmintic activity of ivermectin was tested in 98 dogs against adult ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, A braziliense), and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), and against experimentally induced infections (4th-stage larvae) of T canis and A caninum. Dosage levels tested were single subcutaneous injections of 50, 100, 200, or 400 micrograms/kg of body weight with appropriate vehicle-treated controls. A minimum of 4 (usually 5) dogs were tested with each parasite and dosage level. The lowest dosage level, 50 micrograms/kg, and all higher dosage levels expelled greater than 99% of the adult forms of both species of hookworms and intestinal larval forms of A caninum, as determined by worm counts at necropsy. A dosage level of 100 micrograms/kg was required to expel greater than 99% of whipworms and 200 micrograms/kg was necessary to expel adult (91%) and larval (97%) stages of T canis. Ivermectin was only marginally effective (34.2%, 46.2%, 69.2%, and 53.8%) against Toxascaris leonina at 50, 100, 200, and 400 micrograms/kg, respectively, and had no effect against occasional infections with the tapeworms, Dipylidium caninum (14 dogs) and Taenia spp (3 dogs).     

Preliminary evaluation of Community-Led Total Sanitation for the control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Katete District of Zambia

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with poor sanitary practices, free-range pig husbandry and lack of disease awareness in endemic communities. A comparative research was conducted with pre and post-intervention assessments in nine villages to evaluate Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) as an intervention measure for the control of porcine cysticercosis in Katete District in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Blood samples were collected from pigs for circulating antigen detection and a questionnaire focused on the household was administered to a total of 153 respondents whose pigs were examined (64 pre-intervention, 89 post-intervention), in order to obtain information on general demographic characteristics, pig husbandry practices, sanitation practices and associated knowledge and awareness of T. solium infections. The first sampling was conducted prior to the implementation of the CLTS and second sampling eight months after triggering of CLTS in the selected villages. A total of 379 pig serum samples were examined using the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA to detect T. solium cysticercosis, 104 pre-intervention and 275 post-intervention, of which 14 (13.5%) and 45 (16.4%) were positive, respectively. Wald test p-values were computed to assess significant differences in the variables of interest mentioned above for the pre and post CLTS. The research revealed that CLTS as a control measure did not significantly improve T. solium infections in pigs. The research also revealed that the sanitation practices and awareness of cysticercosis did not change. It is recommended that a longer term evaluation be undertaken when the villages have been declared open defaecation free. In addition, the research recommends that health education, mass drug treatment and pig vaccination be incorporated, as an essential component of prevention and control programmes for T. solium infections.     

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs in some urban and rural areas of Hungary

A total of 490 canine faecal specimens collected in the eastern and northern regions of Hungary were examined for helminth eggs. From the results it appears that more than 50% of the dogs were infected with at least one parasite species. The prevalence of eggs (%) in the two regions was as follows: Toxocara canis (24.3-30.1); Trichuris vulpis (20.4-23.3); Ancylostomatidae (8.1-13.1); Capillaria spp. (0-7.3); Toxascaris leonina (2.1-0); Taenia-type (2.8-2.4); Dipylidium caninum (0.4-1); coccidia (3.5-3.4). Of the positive dogs, 8.5-18.1% harboured two or more species of parasites. The prevalence of parasitic infection was also evaluated according to the maintenance, feeding, and age of the animals. The significance of zoonotic diseases (echinococcosis, toxocarosis, ancylostomatidosis) caused by intestinal helminths makes it necessary to know the infection status of domestic dogs and to take measures for control.     

Anthelmintic efficacy in captive wild impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus) in Lusaka, Zambia

There has been an increase in the number of wild ungulates kept in captivity for ecotourism and conservation in Zambia and these animals are susceptible to a number of diseases including gastrointestinal helminth infections. Surveys to determine anthelmintic efficacy to gastrointestinal nematodes in captive-wildlife are not common and there have been no reports of anthelmintic resistance in captive-wildlife in Zambia. This study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the benzimidazole anthelmintic fenbendazole in captive wild impala (Aepyceros melampus) in Zambia. During the month of April 2011, at the end of the rainy season, the faecal egg count reduction test was performed at a private game facility for assessing anthelmintic efficacy of oral fenbendazole and the anthelmintic treatment showed an efficacy of 90%. Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were the predominant genera present before treatment, but Haemonchus spp. larvae were the only genus recovered from the faecal cultures after anthelmintic treatment. This represents the first documentation of anthelmintic treatment failure in captive wild-antelopes in Zambia. It also demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the common traditional practice of deworming captive-wild antelopes at the end of the rainy season due to the rapid re-infection of impala that occurs due to high pasture infectivity. Suggestions on changes to current anthelmintic use/practices that will make them more efficacious and reduce the possibility of development of anthelmintic resistance in captive wild game in Zambia are also made.     

The epidemiology of canine Babesia infections in Zambia

This study of 1196 dogs over a period of 18 months determined the seasonal infection patterns of canine babesiosis in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The work also describes a retrospective study of the prevalence of canine babesiosis in laboratory clinical blood samples submitted to the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine for routine haematological examination from the year 1994 to 2009. A cross-sectional study was also performed to determine the levels of Babesia in a low-income society (during the dry season and the wet season of the year), where 361 samples were collected from dogs presented for mass rabies vaccination campaigns. Morphology of the Babesia indicated that all were of the large-sized Babesia canis infection. Babesia-positive dogs had significantly higher rectal temperatures than negative ones, and dogs younger than 1 year were more likely to be Babesia positive followed by those between 2 and 5 years old. Seasonal trends indicate two peaks, one in the rainy season (November-March) and another in the cold dry season (June/July). Monthly prevalence rates of Babesia ranged from 0% to 2.4% in natural populations and from 0% to 28.6% in laboratory specimens. This study shows that Zambia has lower Babesia prevalence than reported in other African countries.     

Seasonal fluctuations of gastrointestinal helminths of camels in Kuwait

Over a period of 1 year, from May 1982 to April 1983, the gastrointestinal tracts of 240 camels were examined for the presence of parasitic helminths. The study quantifies the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and the seasonal fluctuations in intestinal worm burdens and faecal worm egg counts. Among the three species of cestodes and eight species of nematodes which were recorded for the first time from Kuwait, Trichostrongylus probolurus (93.8%), T. colubriformis (34.2%) and Stilesia vittata (30.0%) were the most prevalent in the small intestine and Camelostrongylus mentulatus (59.6%) in the abomasum. Estimation of the intestinal worm burdens and faecal worm egg counts showed that Trichostrongylus infections were by far the most predominant. The highest worm and egg counts were recorded in June and August, during the hot dry season. This rise is attributed to infections acquired from February to April, during the cool wet season. Possibly the most effective control can be achieved by a critical treatment at the end of the wet season coinciding with the first rise in nematode population.     

Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in cattle in South-West Zambia

Summary A trypanosomiasis survey was conducted in South-West Zambia. From a total of 3,346 cattle sampled 342 cattle showed a positive trypanosomiasis parasitaemia. During the survey trypanosome species and PCV values were also recorded. With simple statistical analysis populations with higher and lower prevalence rates were differentiated. The results indicated that the Kwando River Basin Tsetse Fly Belt and the Kafue River Basin Tsetse Fly Belt infested a larger area than originally assumed and that a link-up between both belts occurred or will occur in the near future.

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Prevalencia De Tripanosomiasis En Ganado En El Sudoccidente De Zambia

Resumen Se llevó a cabo una encuesta sobre la prevalencia de tripanosomiasis en el Sudoccidente de Zambia. De 3.346 animales examinados, 342 mostraron parasitémia. Durante le encuesta, se diferenciaron las especies de tripanosomas encontrados y se estimaron los hematocritos. Se diferenciaron también, mediante análisis estadísticos sensillos, las poblaciones de gando con tasas de prevalencia mayores y menores. Los resultados indican, que la cuenca del río Kwando y la del río Kafue, en donde existe la mosca tsetse, tienen una influencia mayor sobre la prevalencia de la enfermedad, que lo que originalmente se pensó y que la unión de las dos hoyas se producirá en un futuro cercano.

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Prevalence De La Trypanosomose Bovine En Zambie Du Sud-Ouest

Résumé Une enquête sur la trypanosomose a été conduite dans le sud-ouest de la zambie. Sur un total de 3346 bovins examinés, 342 ont montré une parasitémie à trypanosomes. Au cours de cette enquête, on a noté les espèces de trypanosomes et les valeurs de l'hématocrite. On a pu différencier, par une méthode statistique simple, les populations à haute et basse prévalence. Les résultats indiquent que les ceintures glossiniennes des bassins, des rivières Kwando et Kafue étaient plus étendues qu'on ne le pensait antérieurement, et qu'une liaison entre les deux ceintures se produisait ou se produirait dans le futur proche.