Internal Parasites of Pigs and Worm Control Practices in Bamboutos, Western Highlands of Cameroon.

Internal parasites are limiting factors to successful, sustainable livestock production. Knowledge on how they are dealt with is important to prevent resistance to anthelmintics. The aim of this study was to describe the internal parasitism of indoor pigs in Bamboutos Division in Cameroon, as well as the attendant worm control practices. Thus, 324 pigs from 50 small scale farms were sampled for feces which were qualitatively and quantitatively examined for parasite eggs, cysts, or oocysts. Data on worm control practices were also collected. The overall prevalence was 74.7% (95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 69.6-79.3%) and the overall mean egg/oocyst per gram of feces (epg/opg) was 304.1±1218.0. The following parasites were found: Strongylid parasites (58.6%; epg= 105.0±134.7); Coccidia (26.9; opg=517.2± 1862.1); Strongyloides ransomi (25.9%; epg=61.9± 40.8); A. suum (3.7%. epg=50±0); Metastrongylus sp (0.9%; epg=50±0); Trichuris suis (0.9%; epg=50±0); and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (0.62%; epg=50±0). Single to septuple infestations occurred. The majority of farmers resorted to modern veterinary services (64%) and mostly used conventional drugs (88%). Internal parasitism was associated with the person in charge of animal health, the implementation of a prophylaxis program on the farm, and the annual deworming frequency. The implementation of a prophylaxis program significantly reduced the overall egg/oocyst load while high treatment frequency (more than thrice a year) did not, indicating that prophylaxis measures such as general hygiene must be reinforced in pig herds in the country, and the treatment frequency reduced as much as possible to prevent the selection of anthelmintic resistance.

Parasitic fauna of domestic cavies in the western highlands of Cameroon (Central Africa).

BACKGROUND: Domestic cavies (Cavia porcellus) are increasingly reared in rural areas of Cameroon for meat and income generation. Unfortunately, health constraints due to various pathogens including parasites stand as one of the major obstacles to the development of cavy industry in the country. The main objective of this study was to investigate the species of gastrointestinal parasites in cavy husbandry in the western highlands of Cameroon and to detect external parasites in those animals affected with dermatological disorders. METHODS: Pooled fecal samples were collected from 62 privately-own farms, as well as individual fecal samples from 21 animals at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Dschang, and examined for parasite eggs and oocysts/cysts. Ectoparasites were also collected from cavies and identified. RESULTS: The overall infection rate with both helminthes and arthropods was 40.3 %. Ectoparasites were found in 19 out of 62 farms (30.6 %) while 12.9 % of farms were infected with helminthes. Eggs of Graphidium strigosum (8.1 %), Trichostrongylus sp. (3.2 %) and Paraspidodera uncinata (3.2 %) were found at farm level. Oocysts of Eimeria caviae and eggs of Paraspidodera uncinata were found in 14.3 and 9.5 % of examined animals respectively. Concerning ectoparasites, Cordylobia anthropophaga and Pulex sp. were observed in 25.8 % and 6.6 % of farms respectively. CONCLUSION: The parasites are apparently composed of host-specific species in the original habitat (South America) and species acquired later from other mammals. These parasites are either deleterious to cavy health or zoonotic. Preventive measures should be put in practice to avoid their presence on farms due to their harmful effect on cavy rearing.

Evaluation of In Vivo Acaricidal Effect of Soap Containing Essential Oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides Leaves on Rhipicephalus lunulatus in the Western Highland of Cameroon.

A study on the acaricidal properties of foam soap containing the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves was carried out on Rhipicephalus lunulatus. Four doses (0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12 µL of essential oil per gram of soap) and a control (soap without essential oil) with four replications for each treatment were used for in vitro trial. Each replication consisted of 10 ticks in a Petri dish with filter paper impregnated with the foam soap on the bottom. Following in vitro trials, three doses (0.06, 0.09, and 0.12 µL/g) and the control in two replications were selected for in vivo test based on mortality rate recorded from the in vitro trial. Each replication was made up of 10 goats naturally infested with ticks. Results show that soap containing essential oil is toxic to R. lunulatus. The in vivo mortality rate in the control on day 8 was 22.69% whereas the highest dose (0.12 µL/g) killed 96.29% of the ticks on day 8. The LD50 of the foam soap containing essential oil was 0.037 and 0.059 µL/g on day 2 in the laboratory and on the farm, respectively. This indicates the potentially high efficiency of this medicated soap on this parasite.

An analysis of seroprevalence and risk factors for parasitic infections of economic importance in small ruminants in Greece.

A cross-sectional serological survey was carried out to screen the small ruminants of Thessaly, Greece, for infection with Haemonchus contortus, lungworms (i.e. Cystocaulus ocreatus, Muellerius capillaris, Protostrongylus rufescens and Neostrongylus linearis) as a group, and for Cysticercus tenuicolis, Linguatula serrata and Oestrus ovis. A second objective was to determine the risk factors related to herd characteristics, management practices, farmer status and bioclimatic variables associated with these parasitic infections. A total of 361 sheep and 179 goat serum samples were examined. The seroprevalences were 33.9%, 41.5%, 14.1%, 4.6% and 1.4% for H. contortus, lungworms, L. serrata, C. tenuicolis and O. ovis, respectively. The final logistic regression model showed that farm location and temperature were associated with H. contortus, lungworm and L. serrata infections. Anthelmintic treatment, class of anthelmintic and rotation of grazing were associated with H. contortus and lungworm infections, while grazing with other herds was associated with lungworm and L. serrata infections; rain was associated with H. contortus and L. serrata infections. Farm type and age of farmer were associated with H. contortus infections and elevation was associated with lungworm infection. The results may help to formulate appropriate control strategies in Greece and other areas with similar climatic conditions in order to channel limited resources to mitigate only those risk factors which are significant to protect the profitability of the livestock industry.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with zoonotic parasitic infections in small ruminants in the Greek temperate environment.

A cross-sectional serological study was carried out to screen the sheep and goat population of Thessaly, Greece for evidence of infection with Toxoplasma, Toxocara, Leishmania, and Echinococcus and to determine the risk factors related to herd characteristics, herd management practices, farmer status, and the bioclimatic variables associated with these zoonotic parasitic infections. A total of 540 sheep and goat serum samples were examined. The seroprevalence of infection in all examined animals was 24.5% for Toxoplasma, 32% for Toxocara, 0% for Leishmania and 85.9% for Echinococcus. The final logistic regression model showed that the species of small ruminant, herd size, anthelmintic treatment, class of anthelmintic treatment, grazing with other herds, educational level of farmer, elevation of farm location, and generalized land cover were associated with Toxoplasma gondii infections, while the species of small ruminant, farm type, anthelmintic treatment, class of anthelmintic treatment, rotation of grazing, age of farmer, elevation of farm location, and generalized land cover were associated with Toxocara canis infections. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 102 (28.3%) of 360 sheep and in 30 (16.8%) of 179 goats. Animals in small flocks (150-300 animals) had an approximately 0.42-fold lower risk of having positive cases of T. gondii among animals compared with large flocks (>300 animals). Antibodies to T. canis were found in 155 (42.9%) of 361 sheep and 18 (10.1%) of 179 goats. The later finding constitutes the first report of seropositive goats to Toxocara. The risk of positivity for T. canis was 7.71-fold higher in sheep than in goats. Geographically, animals from plain areas had 2.9 and 2.01-fold higher risk of having positive cases of T. gondii and T. canis respectively. The significant bioclimatic variables (p<0.05) associated with the occurrence locations of T. gondii infection were related to higher temperature, lower precipitation, and lower elevation compared to the absence locations of T. gondii. The significant bioclimatic variables (p<0.05) associated with occurrence locations of T. canis infection were related to lower temperature and higher precipitation compared to absence locations of T. canis. These findings are useful to formulate appropriate control strategies for zoonotic parasites of sheep and goats in Greece and other areas with similar climatic conditions.