Horse infection with intestinal helminths in relation to age, sex, access to grass and farm system.

A 11-year survey on helminth intestinal infection of horses was done in seven provinces of southern Poland. 21,641 faecal samples were collected from horses of different age, sex, breed and management system originating from 84 farms. Age was the major factor influencing the cyathostome egg excretion, the maximum being observed in yearlings and second year horses. Parascaris was found mostly in foals and yearlings. The main factor for Anoplocephala was the access to pasture. The level of cyathostome egg shedding (EPG) could be related to sex (geldings had higher values of EPG), breed (Thoroughbred had higher EPG than other breeds), and type of farm (large farms had higher EPG than others). The change during the survey of anthelmintic treatment (from benzimidazole or pyrantel embonate to avermectins) was associated with lower cyathostome EPG, and this was probably due to partial resistance to benzimidazole. The seasonality of egg shedding (lowest from November to January included) was due to management (leaving the pasture to stable, anthelmintic treatment in October). The influence of climate on EPG was significant but small, annual rainfalls and average temperature being associated negatively and positively, respectively, with high cyathostome EPG.

Parascaris and cyathostome nematodes in foals: parasite in transit or real infection?

Faecal egg counts were performed in 187 foals of a large Polish stud farm between February and September 2007. Eggs of Parascaris equorum were present in faeces of 7% and those of cyathostomins in 13% of the foals aged less than 194 days. Information dealing with age of foals and/or efficiency of ivermectin treatment as well as the nematode parasite prepatent periods, it can be conducted that most of the infections recorded on the basis of faecal egg counts were false-infections in animals up to the age of six months, probably due to the ingestion of infected faeces of their dam or some other horses.

Occurrence of strongyles (Strongylidae) in horses from small farms on the basis of necropsy.

Three parts of the large intestine, i.e. the dorsal and ventral colon, and caecum in 41 working horses from small farms in southern Poland were examined. Five species of large strongyles (3 migratory species from genus Strongylus and 2 non-migratory from genus Triodontophorus) and as well as 17 species of cyathostomes were revealed. The prevalence of large strongyles was observed, accordingly: Strongylus vulgaris--80.5%, S. equinus--9.8%, S. edentatus--4.9%, Triodontophorus serratus--19.5% and T. brevicauda--7.3%. Among cyathostomes, 5 most prevalent species were Cyathostomum catinatum--31.7%, Coronocyclus coronatus--31.7%, Cylicostephanus calicatus--24.4%, Cylicocyclus nassatus--24.4% and C. ashworthi--19.5%. The highest prevalence of S. vulgaris among all Strongylidae isolated specimens suggests that the infection with this parasite should be taken into account in the diagnosis of colics in working horses kept in the small farming system.

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.

[Toxocara canis infection in dogs in Cracow's Shelter for Stray Animals]. / Wystepowanie glisty Toxocara canis u psów w krakowskim schronisku dla bezdomnych zwierzat.

A coprologic examination of dogs in Cracow's Shelter for Stray Animals, carried out between January and November 1999-2000 showed that the dogs were infected with Toxocara canis from 2.4% to 16.2%. The puppies were more infected that adult dogs: 30-72.7% and 3,3-12.2% respectively. The females are also more infected than males: 6.3-15.2% and 4.8-18.2% respectively.

[The influence of different management systems on the infection level of some gastrointestinal parasites in sheep in southern Poland]. / Wplyw róznych systemów chowu na stan zarazenia pasozytami przewodu pokarmowego owiec w Polsce poludniowej.

On the basis of the fecal egg counts, larval cultures and necropsies the infection of coccidia, tapeworms and gastrointestinal nematodes in dams and lambs under extensive and intensive management systems were estimated. During 1994 and 1995 total of 1740 coproscopic analyses were done. It was state, that in extensive farms the prevalence and EPG of gastrointestinal nematodes was higher in comparison with intensive management system (38.2-86% and 13.9-71.9% and 105-355 EPG and 33-131 EPG respectively). Similarly prevalence of tapeworms 0-18.2% and 1.3-8.3% respectively. Prevalence and intensity of coccidia was lower in extensive farms (20-78,5% and 83-482 OPG) comparing with intensive management system (38.2-88% and 139-2846 OPG). Predominant nematode species in both management systems were those from genes Haemonchus, Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus. One species--Nematodirus battus was found new for Poland.

Genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Polish long-wool sheep.

A study was undertaken from 1991 to 1994 on a farm in southern Poland to evaluate the genetic parameters of resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes. The predominant species were Teladorsagia circumcincta and Haemonchus contortus. A total of 32 sires were evaluated, around 15 per year. Faecal egg counts were measured twice during the 4-month grazing season for lambs (total 659 lambs) and three times for their mothers (total 327 ewes). Infection levels were high during the first 2 years and low during the last 2 years. Using an animal model, the heritability of log10(epg+25) increased from 0.20 in August to 0.33 in September for lambs, and from 0.18 in May to 0.25 in September for ewes. The repeatability of ewe faecal egg count between years was 0.25. A genetic correlation of 0.58 was found between faecal egg count in ewes and in 6-7-month-old lambs. A negative genetic correlation (-0.61) was estimated between faecal egg count in September and daily weight gain of lambs from 70 days of age to the end of grazing season (7 months of age). The results confirm the feasibility of genetic selection of sheep for resistance to nematode parasites in an environment where T. circumcincta and H. contortus are the dominant species.

[Effect of treatment on gastrointestinal nematode infection of heifers and their weight gain in southern Poland]. / Wplyw odrobaczania na stan zarazenia nicieniami zoladkowo-jelitowymi i przyrosty masy ciala jalówek w Polsce poludniowej.

The level of infection with gastro-intestinal nematodes in heifers of 3 farms (668 head) was studied by coproscopic methods and the efficacy of treatment was evaluated. Extensiveness of infection reached 80% and intensity (EPG) - 120. Comparative studies of weight gains of heifers treated and untreated revealed that the best results were obtained in heifers treated twice a year in May and August. The efficacy was estimated at 93% with respect to extensiveness of infection and at 97% for EPG. Mean final weight gains of the treated heifers were 8,0-16,8 kg higher compared to those of untreated heifers. The mating time for treated heifers was about 30 days earlier than that for untreated ones.

[Usefulness of Thuridan in the control of fly larvae in animal houses]. / Przydatnosc preparatu Thuridan do zwalczania larw much w pomieszczeniach gospodarskich.

The studies were carried out in a pig farm and in a dairy cattle farm in South Poland. Thuridan was applied as 0.3% suspension in 3 replications in 7 days interval. The efficacy of Thuridan was established using fly--catchers which were hung on the same places--once before and three times after Thuridan was used. In the animal houses 86% less flies were found.