Disease associated with immature paramphistome infection

Millar, Michael; Colloff, Adrian; Scholes, S. F. E.

doi:10.1136/vr.e7738

Cited by 55 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…More recent studies have highlighted a sharp increase in the prevalence of rumen fluke infections in several European countries including Ireland [ 7 – 9 ]. Moreover, several reports of clinical paramphistomosis, with severe symptoms including death, have been described in both sheep and cattle [ 9 , 10 ], and now it is being recognised as a clinical entity in Irish livestock. This parasitosis can therefore be considered an emerging parasitic disease in Europe [ 11 ], and hence, should be included in the differential diagnosis of enteric disease in all ruminants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rumen fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of two paramphistome species

et al. 2016

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BackgroundRumen flukes are trematode parasites found globally; in tropical and sub-tropical climates, infection can result in paramphistomosis, which can have a deleterious impact on livestock. In Europe, rumen fluke is not regarded as a clinically significant parasite, recently however, the prevalence of rumen fluke has sharply increased and several outbreaks of clinical paramphistomosis have been reported. Gaining a better understanding of rumen fluke transmission and identification of risk factors is crucial to improve the control of this parasitic disease. In this regard, a national prevalence study of rumen fluke infection and an investigation of associated risk factors were conducted in Irish sheep flocks between November 2014 and January 2015. In addition, a molecular identification of the rumen fluke species present in Ireland was carried out using an isolation method of individual eggs from faecal material coupled with a PCR. After the DNA extraction of 54 individual eggs, the nuclear fragment ITS-2 was amplified and sequenced using the same primers.ResultsAn apparent herd prevalence of 77.3 % was determined. Several risk factors were identified including type of pasture grazed, regional variation, and sharing of the paddocks with other livestock species. A novel relationship between the Suffolk breed and higher FEC was reported for the first time. The predominant rumen fluke species found was C. daubneyi. Nevertheless, P. leydeni was unexpectedly identified infecting sheep in Ireland for the first time.ConclusionsAn exceptionally high prevalence of rumen fluke among Irish sheep flocks has been highlighted in this study and a more thorough investigation is necessary to analyse its economic impact. The isolation of individual eggs coupled with the PCR technique used here has proven a reliable tool for discrimination of Paramphistomum spp. This technique may facilitate forthcoming studies of the effects of paramphistomosis on livestock production. The most noteworthy finding was the identification of P. leydeni affecting sheep in Ireland, however further studies are required to clarify its implications. Also, a significant relationship between Suffolk breed and a heavier infection was found, which can be used as a starting point for future research on control strategies of rumen fluke infection.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rumen fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of two paramphistome species

et al. 2016

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“…On the contrary, paramphistomosis has traditionally been considered of no medical significance, at least when livestock animals are maintained in good nutritional and health status, as is usual in Europe. However, this situation seems to be changing, since cases of serious illness caused by paramphistomes have been described in France [1] and the UK [2–4]. Increased prevalence of both infections has also been reported in various European countries [5–8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission of Calicophoron daubneyi and Fasciola hepatica in Galicia (Spain): Temporal follow-up in the intermediate and definitive hosts

et al. 2016

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BackgroundParamphistomosis caused by Calicophoron daubneyi and fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica are common parasitic diseases of livestock animals. Transmission of the diseases depends on the presence of intermediate hosts, i.e. freshwater gastropods such as lymnaeids. We carried out a 2-year-long study of the dynamics of the snail population acting as the intermediate host for these parasites, considering the population structure in terms of size/age and infection status. In addition, we determined the kinetics of trematode egg excretion in grazing cows. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were used to analyze the associations between different response variables and snail size, sampling month and weather-related variables.ResultsOf the molluscan species examined, Galba truncatula, Radix peregra, Anisus (Anisus) leucostoma and Pisidium casertanum (n = 2802), only G. truncatula was infected with C. daubneyi or F. hepatica, at prevalence rates of 8.2% and 4.4% respectively. The probability of infection with C. daubneyi or F. hepatica was linearly related to snail size, although in different ways (negative for C. daubneyi and positive for F. hepatica). The total snail population increased in winter, when specimens of all size classes were found. Infected snails were more abundant during spring-autumn. Mature cercariae of both parasites were found in most seasons. In the statistical models, the sampling month accounted for a high percentage (71.9–78.2%) of the observed variability in snail abundance. The inclusion of climatic variables in the models moderately increased the percentage of deviance explained (77.7–91.9%). Excretion of C. daubneyi eggs in cow faeces was always higher than that of F. hepatica eggs.ConclusionsParticular care should be taken to prevent pastures and the surrounding environment being contaminated with parasite eggs during winter-spring, when the number of snails susceptible to miracidial infections is maximal. This is therefore the optimal time for treating grazing animals. Nevertheless, control of trematodosis based only on chemotherapy is difficult in an area such as the study area, where environmental factors favour the regular appearance of snail populations harbouring mature cercariae.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1892-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Infectious agents such as BVD virus [ 3 , 4 ], poor colostrum management [ 5 , 6 ] and parasitic challenge due to gastrointestinal and hepatic helminths [ 7 - 9 ] can all potentially affect calf output.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease screening profiles and colostrum management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms

et al. 2015

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BackgroundCalf output is a key element in determining the profitability of a suckler beef enterprise. Infectious agents such as Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) virus, colostrum management and parasitic challenge can all affect calf output. Prior to the national BVD eradication programme, there was little published information on either the prevalence or effect of BVD in Irish beef herds. There is little published information on colostrum management practices in Irish commercial beef herds and there have also been few studies published on the prevalence of liver fluke or rumen fluke infection in Irish beef herds. Sixteen farms participating in the Teagasc/Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef programme were used in this study. Fourteen herds were screened for the presence of BVD virus in 2010 using RT-PCR. In 13 herds, blood samples were collected from calves (2–14 days of age) in November 2011 - April 2012 to determine their passive immune status using the zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) test, while in 12 herds, blood and faecal samples were taken in order to determine the level of exposure to gastrointestinal and hepatic helminths.ResultsThe overall prevalence of BVD virus-positive cattle was 0.98% (range 0 - 3% per herd, range 0.6 - 3.0% per positive herd). Eighteen of the 82 calves (22%) sampled had ZST values less than 20 units (herd mean range 17.0 – 38.5 units) indicating a failure of passive transfer. The overall animal-level (herd-level) prevalence of liver fluke and rumen fluke infection in these herds was 40.5% (100%) and 20.8% (75%), respectively.ConclusionsThe potential costs associated with the presence of animals persistently infected with BVD virus through the increased use of antibiotics; the rate of failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins and the high prevalence of liver fluke infection in these herds highlight that some Irish suckler beef farms may not be realizing their economic potential due to a range of herd health issues. The use of farm-specific herd health plans should be further encouraged on Irish suckler beef farms.

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Disease associated with immature paramphistome infection

Cited by 55 publications

References 2 publications

Rumen fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of two paramphistome species

Rumen fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of two paramphistome species

Transmission of Calicophoron daubneyi and Fasciola hepatica in Galicia (Spain): Temporal follow-up in the intermediate and definitive hosts

Disease screening profiles and colostrum management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms

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