Biomarkers of gastrointestinal nematodes in beef cattle raised in a tropical area.

Biomarkers are specific molecular, histological, or physiological characteristics of normal or pathogenic biological processes and are promising in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Although some biomarkers have been validated for infection by Ostertagia sp. in cattle raised in temperate regions, there is a lack of information for tropical regions. The aim of this project was to assess potential biomarkers and validate the most promising. In the first study, 36 bovines (Nelore breed) naturally infected by GINs were distributed into two groups: infected (not treated with anthelmintic) and treated (treated with fenbendazole on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56). The variables of interest were live weight, fecal egg count, hemogram, serum biochemical markers, phosphorus, gastrin, and pepsinogen. In the second step, pepsinogen was assessed in cattle of the Nelore breed distributed among three groups: infected (not treated with anthelmintic), MOX (treated with moxidectin), and IVM + BZD (treated with ivermectin + albendazole). In the first study, no difference between groups was found for weight, albumin, hematocrit (corpuscular volume [CV]), erythrocytes, or hemoglobin. Negative correlations were found between pepsinogen and both CV and albumin, and albumin was negatively correlated with the percentage of Haemonchus sp. in the fecal culture. Among the biomarkers, only pepsinogen differentiated treated and infected (beginning with the 28th day of the study). In the second study, a reduction in pepsinogen was found after anthelmintic treatment. Therefore, pepsinogen is a promising biomarker of worms in cattle naturally infected by the genera Haemonchus and Cooperia in tropical areas.

Control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes on pasture in the tropical semiarid region of Brazil, using Bioverm® (Duddingtonia flagrans).

We aimed to evaluate a Brazilian commercial formulation of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (Bioverm®) for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep kept on native pasture in the Caatinga biome, in the semiarid region of Brazil. Twenty ewes, aged between 12 and 18 months, were divided into two groups. In the treated group, each animal received 1 g of the Bioverm® product for each 10 kg of live weight, daily, together with commercial feed, for 6 months. In the control group, the animals received feed without Bioverm®. Each group remained throughout the experiment in a 1.2-ha paddock. Monthly counts of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces, fecal cultures, packed cell volume (PCV), weight measurements, and collection of leaf mass from the pasture were performed. There was greater reduction in EPG, greater weight gain, and less infestation by infective larvae in the paddock of the Bioverm® group, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the mean PCV percentage between the Bioverm® and control groups. In coprocultures, Haemonchus sp. was the most prevalent helminth. Bioverm® (D. flagrans) was efficient for biological control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes in the semiarid region of Brazil.

Control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes using the combination of Duddingtonia flagrans and Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% / Controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos utilizando a combinação de Duddingtonia flagrans e Cloridrato de Levamisole 5%

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the action of D. flagrans pellets in association with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% for controlling sheep gastrointestinal nematodes in the northeastern Brazil. Three groups of six sheep each were formed: group 1 received 3 g of the pellets (0.6 g of D. flagrans mycelium) for each 10 kg b.w., twice a week for six months, and deworming with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% when EPG ≥ 1500; group 2 received a dosage of Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% when EPG ≥ 1500; and group 3 received 3 g of pellets without fungi for each 10 kg b.w., twice a week for six months. EPG counts, larval cultures, packed cell volume (PCV) and weighing were performed every 15 days; monthly, samples of grass from each paddock were collected. The mean EPG of the groups began to statistically differ from day 30 (p < 0.05). Group 1 required less deworming with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% and showed superiority of PCV values ​​throughout the experiment (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in L3 recovery in the group 1 paddock from day 30 onwards. The use of D. flagrans pellets in association with Levamisole Hydrochloride 5% was effective for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes.

Resumo O objetivo foi avaliar a ação de péletes de Duddingtonia flagrans em associação ao Cloridrato de Levamisole 5% no controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos no Nordeste do Brasil. Foram formados três grupos de seis animais cada: grupo 1 recebeu 3 g de péletes (0,6 g de micélio de D. flagrans) para cada 10 kg p.v., duaz vezes por semana durante seis meses, e vermifugações com Cloridrato de Levamisole 5% quando OPG > 1500; grupo 2 recebeu uma dosagem de Cloridrato de Levamisole 5% quando OPG ≥ 1500; e grupo 3 recebeu 3 g de péletes sem fungos para cada 10 kg de p.v., duas vezes por semana durante seis meses. Contagens de OPG, coproculturas, de volumes globulares (VG) e pesagens foram realizadas a cada 15 dias. Mensalmente, amostras de pasto de cada piquete eram coletadasa. A média de OPG dos grupos começou a diferir estatisticamente a partir do dia 30 (p < 0,05). O grupo 1 necessitou de menos vermifugações com Cloridrato de Levamisole 5% e demonstrou superioridade nos valores de VG durante todo o experimento (p < 0,05). Houve redução significativa (p < 0,05) nas L3 recuperadas no piquete do grupo 1 a partir do dia 30. Em conclusão, a utilização de péletes de D. flagrans em associação ao Cloridrato de Levamisole 5% foi eficaz no controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos.

Sheep gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the Sertão region of Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil: prevalence and risk factors / Helmintoses gastrintestinais de ovinos no Sertão do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil: prevalência e fatores de riscos

In this study, we aimed to establish the prevalence and risk factors relating to gastrointestinal helminthiasis, and to characterize the sanitary management practiced among sheep herds in the Sertão region of the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil, based on factors that condition the ways of controlling these parasites in these herds. The research was carried out between April and July 2012. We visited 54 farms, where fecal and blood samples were individually collected from 465 animals. On each farm, a questionnaire was applied to gather information on variables relating to potential risk factors. The prevalence of sheep gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the region was 75.9%. At least one animal tested positive for this helminthiasis on 53 (98.1%) of the 54 farms evaluated. The eggs per gram of feces (EPG) analysis showed the following infection burdens: 51.8% with mild infection, 27.1% moderate infection, 9.9% heavy infection and 11.2% fatal infection. Among the sheep farms visited, anthelmintics were used on 81.5% (p <0.05). The most relevant risk factor in this study was the farm area, because it defines the area available for grazing animals. Properties with many animals and little pasture area, which are the most abundant type in the Sertão region of Paraíba, tend to have high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis, because the animals are more prone to reinfection. The Sertão region of Paraíba presents high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis among sheep, and the farm area is the most relevant risk factor for the development of these parasites.

Objetivou-se determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para as helmintoses gastrintestinais, caracterizando o manejo sanitário sob fatores condicionantes das formas de controle dessas parasitoses em rebanhos de ovinos da região do Sertão da Paraíba. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no período de abril a julho de 2012. Foram visitadas propriedades, utilizando-se 465 animais, sendo coletadas individualmente amostras de fezes e sangue durante as visitas. Em cada propriedade, foi aplicado questionário para a coleta de informações acerca de variáveis que atuariam como possíveis fatores de risco. Observou-se que a prevalência das helmintoses gastrintestinais de ovinos na região do Sertão da Paraíba foi de 75,9%. Pelo menos um animal foi positivo para essas helmintoses, em 53 (98,1%) das 54 propriedades avaliadas. A análise de OPG (Ovos Por Gramas de Fezes) demonstrou que 51,8% dos animais apresentaram infecção leve, 27,1% infecção moderada, 9,9% infecção pesada e 11,2% infecção fatal. A utilização de anti-helmínticos ocorreu em 81,5% das propriedades (p <0,05). O fator de risco mais relevante neste estudo foi a área da propriedade, porque delimita a área de pastejo do animal. Propriedades com muitos animais e pouca área de pastejo, que são as mais abundantes no Sertão da Paraíba, tendem a apresentar alta prevalência de helmintoses gastrintestinais, pois os animais estão mais propensos à reinfecção. A região do Sertão da Paraíba apresenta uma elevada prevalência de helmintoses gastrintestinais em ovinos, e a área das propriedades é o fator de risco mais relevante para o desenvolvimento dessas parasitoses.

Fifteen years later, anthelmintic resistances have dramatically spread over goat farms in Guadeloupe.

Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) were performed on 21 goat farms in Guadeloupe (FWI). Anthelmintic resistance (AR) to netobimin (benzimidazole) was found in all 15 herds in which it was tested. AR to ivermectin (avermectin) and levamisole (imidazothiazole) were also very largely spread (14 out of 17 farms and 7 out of 9 farms, respectively). AR to the final moxidectin (milbemycin) released was already present in 2 out of 9 farms in which it was tested. Haemonchus was the dominant genus of gastrointestinal nematodes and was more frequently found to be resistant to netobimin, ivermectin and moxidectin than Trichostrongylus, the latter appeared to be more often resistant to levamisole. A first survey 15 years ago revealed only AR to benzimidazoles and one suspected case of AR to ivermectin.

Utilização do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos no Sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais / Utilization of the Famacha method in individual clinic diagnostic of haemonchosis in sheep of south-west of Minas Gerais State

O objetivo deste estudo foi observar a eficácia do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos provenientes do Sudoeste de Minas Gerais. Cinquenta ovelhas mestiças Santa Inês foram avaliadas durante 5 meses quanto à coloração da mucosa conjuntiva (método Famacha), volume globular (VG), ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), escore corporal e alterações clínicas. O escore Famacha observado variou de 1 a 3; o escore corporal de 2 a 5; o VG de 20 a 47 por cento; e o OPG de 0 a 7.750. As correlações entre os parâmetros avaliados, exceto Famacha com escore corporal, foram altamente significativas (P < 0,0001). O principal gênero identificado nas coproculturas foi Haemonchus (87 a 100 por cento do total de larvas, ± 93,5 por cento). Constatou-se redução de 87,33 por cento na utilização de anti-helmínticos na propriedade. Conclui-se que o método Famacha, associado a outros métodos de diagnóstico, é ferramenta útil na detecção da haemoncose em ovinos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Famacha method in individual clinical diagnosis of haemonchosis in sheep from the south-west of Minas Gerais. Fifty crossbred Santa Inês ewes were evaluated during 5 months as for conjunctival mucous colour (Famacha method), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), body score and clinic alterations. The score Famacha observed was from 1 to 3, the body score from 2 to 5, the PCV from 20 to 47 percent, and FEC from 0 to 7,750. The correlations between the parameters evaluated, except Famacha with body score, were highly significant (P < 0.0001). The main genus identified in the coprocultures was Haemonchus (87 - 100 percent of total larvae, ± 93.5 percent). We observed reduction of 87.33 percent in the use of anthelmintics on the property. It was concluded that the Famacha method, associated with other diagnostic methods, is a useful tool to detect hemonchosis in sheep.

Utilização do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos no Sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais / Utilization of the Famacha method in individual clinic diagnostic of haemonchosis in sheep of south-west of Minas Gerais State

O objetivo deste estudo foi observar a eficácia do método Famacha no diagnóstico clínico individual de haemoncose em ovinos provenientes do Sudoeste de Minas Gerais. Cinquenta ovelhas mestiças Santa Inês foram avaliadas durante 5 meses quanto à coloração da mucosa conjuntiva (método Famacha), volume globular (VG), ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), escore corporal e alterações clínicas. O escore Famacha observado variou de 1 a 3; o escore corporal de 2 a 5; o VG de 20 a 47%; e o OPG de 0 a 7.750. As correlações entre os parâmetros avaliados, exceto Famacha com escore corporal, foram altamente significativas (P < 0,0001). O principal gênero identificado nas coproculturas foi Haemonchus (87 a 100% do total de larvas, 93,5%). Constatou-se redução de 87,33% na utilização de anti-helmínticos na propriedade. Conclui-se que o método Famacha, associado a outros métodos de diagnóstico, é ferramenta útil nadetecção da haemoncose em ovinos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Famacha method in individual clinical diagnosis of haemonchosis in sheep from the south-west of Minas Gerais. Fifty crossbred Santa Inês ewes were evaluated during 5 months as for conjunctival mucous colour (Famacha method), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), body score and clinic alterations. The score Famacha observed was from 1 to 3, the body score from 2 to 5, the PCV from 20 to 47%, and FEC from 0 to 7,750. The correlations between the parameters evaluated, except Famacha with body score, werehighly significant (P < 0.0001). The main genus identified in the coprocultures was Haemonchus (87 - 100% of total larvae, 93.5%). We observed reduction of 87.33% in the use of anthelmintics on the property. It was concluded that the Famacha method, associated with other diagnostic methods, is a useful tool to detect hemonchosis in sheep.