A single subcutaneous dose of eprinomectin (Eprecis®) is effective against common gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in experimentally infected lactating goats.

BACKGROUND: The health and productivity of dairy goats continue to be impacted by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and lungworms (LW). Eprinomectin (EPN) is frequently selected for treatment because it is generally effective and does not require a milk withdrawal period. However, some factors, such as lactation, can have an impact on EPN pharmacokinetics and potentially its efficacy. To evaluate whether this can alter the efficacy of Eprecis® 2%, an eprinomectin injectable solution, a study was performed in lactating goats using the dose currently registered in cattle, sheep and goats (0.2 mg/kg). METHODS: This study was a blinded, randomized, controlled trial performed according to the VICH guidelines. Eighteen (18) worm-free lactating goats were included and experimentally challenged on day 28 with a mixed culture of infective gastrointestinal and lung nematode larvae (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Dictyocaulus filaria). At D-1, fecal samples were collected to confirm patent infection in all animals. On D0, the goats were randomly allocated into two groups of nine goats; group 1 was treated with Eprecis® 2% at 0.2 mg/kg BW by subcutaneous injection, while group 2 remained untreated. Fecal samples for egg counts were collected from all animals on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14. On D14, all goats were killed, and the abomasum, small intestine and lungs were removed, processed and subsampled to record the number and species of worms. RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated. After treatment, the arithmetic mean FEC decreased in the treated group and remained < 5 EPG until the end of the study, while the arithmetic mean FEC in the control group remained > 849.0 EPG. At D14, goats in the treated group had very limited or zero total worm counts, whereas all animals from the control group had a high worm burden. The measured efficacy was 100.0% against H. contortus and T. colubriformis, 99.9% against T. circumcincta and 98.0% against D. filaria. CONCLUSIONS: Eprinomectin (Eprecis®, 20 mg/ml), administered at the label dose (0.2 mg/kg), is highly effective against gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in lactating goats.

Effect of the vaccination against Shiga toxin 2e in a farm with history of oedema disease, caused by atypical Escherichia coli producing Shiga toxin (STEC).

Oedema disease of weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), typically harbouring the stx2e gene and F18 adhesins. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a commercially available oedema disease vaccine on the zootechnical performance, mortality and individual antibiotic treatment in a herd, in which non-typical STEC strains without F18 adhesin have been identified. The zootechnical performance (average daily gain, total weight gain), mortality and individual antibiotic treatment were compared between vaccinated and non-vaccinated control piglets in a monocentric field efficacy study, which was performed using two groups in a parallel, randomised design. A significantly higher average daily gain and total weight gain were recorded in the vaccinated piglets in comparison to the controls. The lower morbidity, mortality and antibiotic treatment in piglets in the vaccine group were not statistically significant. As a conclusion, the positive effect of the vaccination was confirmed in the herd with prevalent STEC not harbouring F18 adhesin. The vaccine was, therefore, also effective against oedema disease caused by such unusual STEC isolates, under the conditions of this study.

Efficacy of an injectable toltrazuril - gleptoferron (Forceris®) to control coccidiosis (Cystoisospora suis) in comparison with iron supplemented piglets without anticoccidial treatment.

The efficacy and safety of an injectable combination product containing toltrazuril and gleptoferron (Forceris® - CEVA) for the control of coccidiosis due to Cystoisospora suis was investigated in neonatal piglets. The study was carried out on five European commercial pig farms in France, Germany and Spain and 122 litters consisting of 1508 piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. The first group received a single intramuscular injection per piglet of the test product, containing 45 mg toltrazuril and 200 mg iron and this was compared with a control group, which was administered a single intramuscular treatment of iron at 200 mg per piglet only. Body weights, faecal scores and oocysts counts, recorded as oocysts per gram of faeces, (OPG) were observed for 21 days. Only 1138 piglets were actually exposed to coccidiosis and data sets of these animals were selected for statistical analysis. The efficacy of the test product in the control of coccidiosis was shown in higher body weight gains, a lower percentage of animals with diarrhoea, fewer samples with positive oocysts counts as well as a lower excretion peak and a reduced area under the curve of OPG from study day (SD) 4 - SD 21. The combination product of toltrazuril and gleptoferron provided an effective alternative approach to current conventional separate treatment for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia and coccidiosis in neonatal piglets. It reduced the numbers of potentially stressful interventions and work time.

Efficacy of an injectable toltrazuril - gleptoferron (Forceris®) to control coccidiosis (Cystoisospora suis) in comparison with iron supplemented piglets without anticoccidial treatment.

The efficacy and safety of an injectable combination product containing toltrazuril and gleptoferron (Forceris® - CEVA) for the control of coccidiosis due to Cystoisospora suis was investigated in neonatal piglets. The study was carried out on five European commercial pig farms in France, Germany and Spain and 122 litters consisting of 1508 piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. The first group received a single intramuscular injection per piglet of the test product, containing 45 mg toltrazuril and 200 mg iron and this was compared with a control group, which was administered a single intramuscular treatment of iron at 200 mg per piglet only. Body weights, faecal scores and oocysts counts, recorded as oocysts per gram of faeces, (OPG) were observed for 21 days. Only 1138 piglets were actually exposed to coccidiosis and data sets of these animals were selected for statistical analysis. The efficacy of the test product in the control of coccidiosis was shown in higher body weight gains, a lower percentage of animals with diarrhoea, fewer samples with positive oocysts counts as well as a lower excretion peak and a reduced area under the curve of OPG from study day (SD) 4 - SD 21. The combination product of toltrazuril and gleptoferron provided an effective alternative approach to current conventional separate treatment for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia and coccidiosis in neonatal piglets. It reduced the numbers of potentially stressful interventions and work time.