Insight into species diversity of the Trichostrongylidae Leiper, 1912 (Nematoda: Strongylida) in ruminants.

This paper focuses on the species diversity among the Trichostrongylidae Leiper, 1912 (Nematoda: Strongylida), and complexity of the family systematics. Polymorphism (subfamilies: Ostertagiinae, Cooperiinae and Haemonchinae), the presence of cryptic species (genus: Teladorsagia) and hybridization (genera: Cooperia, Haemonchus and Ostertagia) are presented and discussed, considering both morphological and molecular evidence. Some of these phenomena are common, nevertheless not sufficiently understood, which indicates the need for expanding the current state of knowledge thereof. Within the Trichostrongylidae, species distinction supported merely by morphological features is difficult, and requires confirmation by means of molecular methods. The parasitic nematode taxonomy is complicated mainly by the genus Teladorsagia, but complexity may also be expected among other Ostertagiinae (e.g. in the genera Ostertagia and Marshallagia). The data presented here show that the members of the Trichostrongylidae can significantly complicate unambiguous species identification. Hence, it is essential to consider the phenomena mentioned, to gather valid and comparable data on the biodiversity of this family.

Some aspects of nematode infection in pigs from small herds.

Two traditionally maintained, small herds from southern Poland, with 8 and 12 sows, respectively, were surveyed coprologically during 2006-2007. In one of the herds, while deworming a group of sows with levamisole, faecal samples were collected on Day -7, Day 0 (the day of treatment) and Day 10, in order to assess the therapeutic effect of the drug. Coprological investigation was performed also in 26 fatteners originating from other small farms and slaughtered in a local abattoir, with their intestines washed through for the presence of roundworms. In both herds examined, Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum spp. were prevalent, whilst Trichuris suis appeared only very rarely. Mainly fatteners, replacement gilts and young sows were highly infected with A. suum. The roundworm occurrence in 2- 3-week-old piglets, with the intensity of 300 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), indicated the possibility of parasite transmission to offspring very early in age. The highest level of Oesophagostomum spp. infection was observed in sows, but weaners were also much affected. For the group of dewormed sows, the mean faecal egg count reduction (FECR) was estimated to be 77.1- 80.4%, suggesting the presence of resistant nodular worms. A very high false-positive A. suum egg counts found in slaughtered animals (240 to 320 EPG) testified to a high contamination level of the environment of small piggeries, as well. Since the reciprocal transmission of parasites between pigs and poultry might occur, it implies that the flocks should be raised separately.

[The influence of intestinal nematode infection on the productivity of gilts at pig testing stations]. / Wplyw zarazenia nicieniami jelitowymi na produkcyjnosc loszek uzyskiwana w stacjach kontroli skurtch.

On the basis of the faecal egg counts (epg), the effect of intestinal nematode infection on the productive traits of gilts fattened at Pig Testing Stations (PTS) during 1994-1995 was evaluated. Presumably due to a full-constituent pelleted feed mixture given ad libitum, only in some cases the infection significantly lowered the daily gain, feed convertion or meat content in carcass of gilts, and in some--the phenomenon of resilience was observed. The highest influence on the productivity had station factors.

[The influence of skin parasite infection on the productivity of gilts at pig testing stations]. / Wplyw zarazenia pasozytami skóry na produkcyjnosc loszek uzyskiwana w stacjach kontroli skurtch.

On the basis of skin scrapings collected together with cerumen from the inside of ears, the occurrence of a hidden mite and louse infection was assessed to evaluate its effect on the productive traits of gilts fattened during 1996-1997 at Pig Testing Stations (PTS). The productivity was highly influenced by the station factors. The low level of infection had, however, some negative effect in a few cases, and in few it was not clear, probably due to the phenomenon of resilience.

A study on the establishment of Oesophagostomum dentatum in pigs following percutaneous exposure to third-stage larvae.

We examined the possibility of establishment of patent infections after percutaneous exposure of parasite-naive pigs to 10,000 Oesophagostomum dentatum infective larvae (L3). At 5 weeks after percutaneous exposure the pigs were slaughtered and low numbers of adult O. dentatum were recovered from the large intestine. In addition, exsheathed L3 were intravenously injected into pigs, which resulted in the recovery of fourth-stage larvae (L4) from nodules in the lungs as well as of L4 and adult worms from the large intestine. This study demonstrates the ability of porcine nodular worms to establish in the large intestine when pigs have been exposed percutaneously to infective larvae. It is possible that the larvae reach the large intestine by invading blood veins or the lymphatic system at the site of penetration.

Effect of time on migration of Oesophagostomum spp. and Hyostrongylus rubidus out of agar-gel.

The agar-gel migration technique has previously been described, however, aspects regarding the effect of timing on worm migration needed further scrutiny. In the first experiment, pigs inoculated with Oesophagostomum dentatum were slaughtered simultaneously and their intestines stored at 21-23 degrees C until processed pairwise 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 18 h after slaughter. More than 95% of the worms migrated out of the agar if processed within 6 h. In the second experiment, intestines were treated immediately after slaughter and the migratory speed of adult worms or 4th-stage larvae of O. dentatum or O. quadrispinulatum, or adult Hyostrongylus rubidus were studied. For both Oesophagostomum species, more than 90% of the worms were recovered within 1 h. H. rubidus was significantly slower; however, approximately 98% of the worms had migrated out of the agar-gel by 20 h. This information is essential in planning experiments where recovery of live worms is of value.