Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of <i>Toxocara vitulorum</i> Infections in Buffalo and Cattle Calves in Three Provinces of Central Cambodia

Abstract

The prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara vitulorum infection in buffalo and cattle calves was studied in 3 provinces in central Cambodia. Fecal samples were collected from 517 calves between the age of 1-15 weeks and processed for nematode egg counts by a modified McMaster method. A total of 64 calves were found to excrete T. vitulorum eggs in their feces (12.4%; 95% exact CI: 9.7-15.5). The mean fecal egg count was 2,798 EPG (SD=16,351; range=0-224,400). A multivariable generalized linear mixed model showed higher odds of T. vitulorum infection for buffalo versus cattle, for animals aged 4-8 weeks versus younger and older ones, and for animals with strongyle infection. There was no association with fecal consistency. Farmers should be aware of the potential impact of T. vitulorum, and treat their calves at the age of 2-3 weeks with anthelmintics such as benzimidazoles or pyrantel.

Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Toxocara vitulorum Infection in Yaks on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China

“…The results revealed that changes in climate conditions and altitude in different regions may play a predisposing factor for T. vitulorum prevalence. However, the present results were not in accordance with Dorny et al [2] in which geographical origin was not a risk factor for T. vitulorum infection in buffalo and cattle Calves in Cambodia [2]. …”

“…The current study may demonstrate that gender is not a predisposing factor for T. vitulorum prevalence in yak calves. Yak calves in age 28–56 days had a 3 times ( P <0.001) higher risk of being positive compared to yak calves in age>56 days, which is in line with a previous study that the prevalence of T. vitulorum infection in cattle calves in age 28–56 days was significant higher than those of age>56 days [2]. However, yaks calves in age ≤28 days had a 1.5 times ( P <0.05) higher risk of being positive compared to yak calves in age>56 days, which was not found in the study of Dorny et al [2].…”

“…Each fecal sample was examined for T. vitulorum eggs by the McMaster technique with a sensitivity of 50 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) [10]. Fecal samples were scored as being either normal, soft, or watery according to its consistency as Dorny et al [2] described in 2015.…”

“…Cattle calves were typically become infected in early postpartum by ingesting larvae excreted in the colostrum and milk causing highly morbidity and mortality in calves [2]. The clinical signs of T. vitulorum infection are sometimes present, while many infections are subclinical.…”

“…However, previous studies have mentioned T. vitulorum as paramount cause of death among buffalo calves in Bangladesh and described a fatal case in Turkey calf [3]. A major impact of T. vitulorum infection is the association of mortalities as well as morbidity, causing uncompensated stunted growth in calves that survive and result in serious economic losses due to lacking or inefficient control [2,4,5]. …”