Epidemiological observations on gastrointestinal nematode infections in grazing cow-calf pairs in Belgium.

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminth infections in beef cows and calves on pasture was studied in Belgium during the 1990 and 1992 grazing seasons. Weight gain, faecal egg counts, generic differentiation of infective larvae, serum pepsinogen levels, herbage larval counts and worm burdens of tracer calves were used as parameters. In Study 1 two groups of ten cows with their spring-born calves grazing on separate pastures (A and B) were monitored during the 1990 grazing season. Ostertagia ostertagi was the predominant species shed by cows and calves. Cows on Pasture A had significantly higher egg counts at turn-out than the B cows, creating a high pasture contamination in the autumn, evidenced by high Ostertagia worm burdens in the Pasture A tracer calves. Calves of both groups showed low egg counts (mean < 60 eggs g-1 faeces, EPG) throughout the grazing season. In Study 2 nine cow-calf pairs were monitored during the 1992 grazing season. The calves were born in winter or spring. Faecal egg counts of the cows remained low throughout the trial period. During the grazing season high egg counts were observed in the calves (mean up to 778 EPG). Cooperia oncophora was the predominant species in the calves. In the cows O. ostertagi, Oesophagostomum, C. oncophora and Trichostrongylus axei were present. It is suggested that, in the first study, the cows were the major source of pasture contamination, while in the second study the winter-born calves, being older and having a higher herbage intake resulting in a higher infection level, were largely responsible for the high Cooperia pasture infection level at housing.

Agneessens J ，Dorny P ，Hollanders W ，Claerebout E ，Vercruysse J ... -  《VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY》

Epidemiological study of nematode infections in a grazing beef cow-calf herd in Mississippi.

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes was studied in a spring calving herd in northeast Mississippi. Pregnant, mixed breed beef cows (n = 15) were placed on a 10 ha fescue/bermuda grass pasture from January 1990-February 1992. In both years, calves were born from February-April and were weaned and removed from the pasture in mid-October. Fecal egg counts (EPG) and generic composition of nematodes in fecal cultures were determined monthly for cows and calves. Estimation of numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage also was determined monthly from March 1990-February 1992. Worm-free tracer calves (2-3 per month) were allowed to graze for 1 month periods and slaughtered for counting and identification of gastrointestinal nematodes. The mean monthly EPG of cows was consistently low (0.23-3.41); EPG of calves increased from spring through fall of both years. Five nematode genera were identified from fecal cultures of cows and calves. Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp. were the predominant nematodes in cows, while Ostertagia and Cooperia spp. were predominant in calves. Numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage declined from spring through summer and remained at low levels until late fall/winter, when numbers increased markedly. Eleven nematode species were identified from tracers, but O. ostertagi and Cooperia spp. predominated in most months. Seasonal changes in tracer worm counts coincided with similar changes in counts of third-stage larvae on herbage. Inhibition of O. ostertagi occurred in tracer calves during spring, but did not give rise to a marked increase in egg production in cows during fall.

Couvillion CE ，Siefker C ，Evans RR 《VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY》

The effect of repeated moves to clean pasture on the build up of gastrointestinal nematode infections in calves.

The build up of gastrointestinal nematode infections was followed in two grazing experiments. Both experiments included four groups of six calves, a permanently housed non-infected control group and three groups which were grazed from May to October. One of these was moved to aftermath in the beginning of July, the second in the beginning of July and August and the third in the beginning of July, August and September. The build up of gastrointestinal nematode infections was followed by performing faecal egg counts, differentiation of faecal larval cultures, pasture larval counts, serum pepsinogen values, serum antibodies against Cooperia oncophora, weight gain and worm counts. In the second experiment four of the principal trial animals of each group were treated with oxfendazole and subsequently challenged with 100,000 larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi to examine development of immunity against O. ostertagi. The faecal egg counts and the worm counts of the sentinels necropsied in July indicated low initial infections in both experiments. Infection levels in experiment 1 remained low in each group until the beginning of September. However, during the last month, moderate to high infections were acquired by the groups which were moved once or twice. In contrast, low to moderate infections were maintained in the group moved three times. In the second experiment moderate C. oncophora burdens were already observed in the sentinels grazed until the beginning of August. Tracers grazing in August-September with the group moved once acquired high O. ostertagi and C. oncophora infections, whereas those grazed with both other groups acquired moderate infections. In October high infections with both species occurred in the groups moved once and twice, whereas low to moderate infections were observed in the group moved three times. The challenge infection demonstrated a reduction of establishment of O. ostertagi of approximately 70% in all three groups on pasture. The results demonstrate that moving calves at monthly intervals to clean pasture can be an effective method for the control of parasitic gastroenteritis. In addition, the data indicate that it is essential that the last move does not occur more than 1 month before the end of the grazing season.

Eysker M ，van der Aar WM ，Boersema JH ，Githiori JB ，Kooyman FN ... -  《VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY》

The epidemiology of Ostertagia ostertagi and other gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in Louisiana.

The epidemiology of Ostertagia ostertagi and other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling beef cattle was examined in each of 2 successive years. During each year 50 head of newly weaned beef calves were given a single dose of thiabendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twenty-four of the animals were designated for monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 25 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the yearling cattle each month (n = 2) throughout the 2 years and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, plasma pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal liveweight changes were recorded monthly. Results of this work substantiated previous observations on seasonal changes of populations of the different nematode genera, but greater continuity and definition of patterns was possible in the present work. Ostertagia ostertagi was the predominant nematode present. While minimal numbers of inhibited larvae were observed from autumn into winter, most of the population was adult at this time. Acquisition of inhibition-prone larvae begins in late winter and peak numbers are acquired between March and June. Little transmission of O. ostertagi occurs between June and September. Trichostrongylus axei had a similar seasonal prevalence to O. ostertagi. A major difference in the 2 years was in the pattern of maturation of inhibited larvae. This occurred early, during May 1981, following below average temperatures in May and above average rainfall in May and June. Overt type II disease was not associated with a smaller level of maturation in autumn 1982. In contrast, maturation of large burdens of inhibited larvae did not occur until autumn 1982 following a protracted period of dry and hot weather from spring. Acute type II disease was observed in autumn 1982. Reasons for the differences in maturation pattern, based on worm counts from yearling cattle and tracer calves and association of these with faecal egg counts, herbage larval counts, clinical condition, and liveweight changes are discussed.

Williams JC ，Knox JW ，Marbury KS ，Kimball MD ，Baumann BA ，Snider TG ... -  《PARASITOLOGY》

Epizootiology of Ostertagia ostertagi in cow-calf production systems in the American Midwest.

The most common gastrointestinal nematodes found in cattle in the Midwest are Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. Other parasites include Haemonchus placei, Bunostomum phlebotomum and Nematodirus helvetianus. Parasite numbers are generally low in this region, as indicated by fecal egg counts and tracer calf worm recoveries, and the numbers of parasites decrease as one travels farther north. This decrease in parasite numbers also corresponds to a similar reduction in the prevalence of clinical disease. The dynamics of fecal egg shedding are similar throughout the Midwest. Cow fecal egg counts begin to increase just prior to calving in the spring, continue to rise, reaching a peak in July and August, and return to low numbers (2 or less eggs per gram of feces (epg)) in October. Calves born in the spring (March-May) show increasing numbers of eggs in their feces throughout the grazing season, with peak recoveries in October and November, after which the numbers decline as the calves develop an immunological response. Tracer calf worm recoveries demonstrate pasture contamination for the period grazed. These recoveries show adult O. ostertagi increasing throughout the grazing season then falling to low levels over the winter. Larval inhibition of O. ostertagi, as shown by recovery of inhibited fourth stage larvae (L4) occurs throughout the year, with increasing numbers of larvae recovered in the fall. The production robbing effects of these parasites has been demonstrated by the use of a controlled strategic deworming program. Weaning weight advantages of 14 to more than 20 kg have been reported in this region of the country when compared with an untreated group.2+ !%"

Stromberg BE ，Corwin RM 《VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY》