Survey of gastrointestinal parasites, liver flukes and lungworm in feces from dairy cattle in the high tropics of Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in dairy cattle in the high tropics of Colombia. A total of 1003 rectal samples were collected from dairy cows at 29 farms between May and June 2014 to represent the number of farms, age groups, and size of the 65,000-cow population in the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros. Coprological techniques were used to detect gastrointestinal nematodes, liver flukes, coccidian oocysts, and first larval stage counts of Dictyocaulus viviparus. In order of decreasing prevalence, the following parasites were detected: coccidial oocyst (36.7%; 95% CIs, 31.6–42.7), strongyle nematodes (31.6%, 27.8–35.4), liver flukes (30.9%, 21.5–37.5), cestodes (8.4%, 7.1–9.7), and D. viviparus (5.4%, 3.4–7.5). Co-infections by all possible combinations of the three most predominant groups occurred in 11 to 15% of the animals. There were significant differences in infection rates between age groups, with higher risk of liver fluke infection in animals older than 1 year of age (odds ratio (OR) = 3.2), but lower presence for coccidia and strongyles (OR = 0.19 and 0.51, respectively). For Fasciola hepatica, within-herd prevalences of > 25% in 16 farms and 94 of 281 (33.5%) animals with > 5 eggs per gram (epg) indicate that significant production losses are likely occurring. The variation in the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and liver flukes, together with the level of infection among age groups, could be used in integrated management programs to establish selective anthelmintic treatments and select for heritable traits of host resistance. These results serve as a baseline for future studies to determine the success of control measures and should increase awareness that subclinical parasitism is widespread in the livestock sector.

Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Ruminants: The Parasite Burden, Associated Risk Factors and Anthelmintic Utilization Practices in Selected Districts of East and Western Hararghe, Ethiopia

“…This might also be because of the young animals are not exposed for grazing as adult and more time [31]. Chaparro also explained though most animals will stimulate a protective immunity against many species of nematodes after several months of exposure on pasture, there are certain parasites such as Ostertagia, for which an immune response is not so evident until at or after 2 years of age [32]. However, it contradicts with the report of Regassa and Mohammed et al who found higher prevalence in young animals and justified their findings as that could be due to the fact that younger animals are more susceptible than adult counter parts.…”

Fasciola hepatica y otras parasitosis gastrointestinales en bovinos de doble propósito del municipio Sabana de Torres, Santander, Colombia

“…La relativa mayor prevalencia de F. hepatica en animales mayores de 12 meses se puede explicar por el hecho de un mayor tiempo de exposición a la infección (Yasin et al, 2018). Por otro lado, el ciclo de vida de este parásito requiere entre 2 y 3 meses para el desarrollo de las larvas (Chaparro et al, 2016…”

Parity and season affect hematological, biochemical, and milk parameters during the early postpartum period in grazing dairy cows from high-tropics herds

“…Media, CI 90% and suggested reference values according to the data from our study for hematological and biochemical parameters, and some milk analytes in lactating dairy cows grazing in highland tropics. The herds are located in one ot the most important dairy regions of Colombia [15], sharing several characteristics to the other dairy regions in Colombia regarding nutritional and productive management: predominantly Holstein cows grazing in kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) ad libitum, plus twice daily concentrate food supplementation during milking (commercial concentrate food containing 16-to-8% crude protein, 1.75 kcal Net Energy of Lactation, for every 4-5 L milk yield) plus mineral-supplemented salt (100-150 gr/cow/day of mineral salt with 26% sodium chloride, 15% calcium, 5% phosphorus, 5% sulfur and 1% magnesium is supplied ad libitum). The northern Antioquia, Colombia, represents 80% of the total dairy cows in Antioquia and produces 85% of the total milk production of the region [14].…”