Treatment of sarcoptic and chorioptic mange in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) herd with a combination of topical amitraz and subcutaneous ivermectin.

Clinical history: An outbreak of intense pruritus and weight loss in a herd of 40 alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the south-west of France was investigated after the death of 14 adults. One alpaca was referred to a veterinary teaching hospital for diagnosis and treatment but died soon after and one of the dead alpacas was submitted for necropsy. Clinical findings: The remaining alpacas were intensely pruritic with variably severe and extensive alopecia, erythema, lichenification and crusting on the face, ventral abdomen and distal limbs. Superficial skin scrapes from five animals revealed large numbers of Sarcoptes scabiei mites, and less frequent and numerous Chorioptes bovis mites. Coproscopic examinations revealed a median of 1,350 (min 500, max 8800) strongyle epg. The alpaca admitted for treatment was anaemic and hypoalbuminaemic. Skin scrapes revealed copious S. scabiei and C. bovis mites. The two alpacas examined post-mortem had similar skin lesions to those examined on-farm and were cachexic. One had lung lesions attributed to protostrongylid infestation and its liver contained numerous Dicrocoelium spp. adults. Diagnosis: Sarcoptic and chorioptic mange with secondary superficial bacterial skin infection, associated with severe internal parasitism and underfeeding. Treatment and outcome: All 25 alpacas were treated topically with a 3% chlorhexidine shampoo followed by a 0.025% amitraz wash at the initial visit and then 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9 weeks later. A systemic treatment with S/C 500 µg/kg ivermectin was administered at the initial visit and then 2, 7 and 9 weeks later. The alpacas were treated orally with 50 mg/kg praziquantel to control dicrocoeliosis. Nutritional measures, including increased pasture area and supplemental feeding were simultaneously implemented. Pruritus was reduced 1 week after the start of treatment and had resolved after 2 weeks. After 9 weeks, skin lesions were markedly improved. Six months after the initial visit, skin lesions entirely resolved and superficial skin scrapes, taken from half of the animals, were negative for mites. Clinical relevance: This is the first report of the use of two acaricides combined with a chlorhexidine shampoo to successfully treat simultaneous sarcoptic and chorioptic mange in alpacas.

Study on the Relationship between Liver Parasitic Infections and Serum Vitamin A and ß-Carotene Status in Cattle.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin A and ß-carotene in the liver of cattle. METHODS: A total number of 150 samples were selected according to the type of parasitic infections of the liver after postmortem examination and confirmation. Parasitic lesions in the liver were subdivided into three major parasites, including Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, and hydatid cysts. Fifty samples were obtained from cattle without any parasitic infection as a control group. Serum levels of vitamin A, ß-carotene concentrations (µg/dL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were assayed. RESULTS: Naturally infected cattle with D. dendriticum, F. hepatica and hydatid cyst showed lower vitamin A levels. Serum ß-carotene levels were significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05). ALT and AST activities in animals with parasitic diseases were statistically higher than in control group (p<0.01). A significant negative correlation was determined between the ß-carotene, vitamin A levels and enzyme activities of the liver in all the three types of liver infections (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that serum levels of vitamin A and ß-carotene decline was present in cattle with liver parasite infection and vitamin supplements should be supplied.

Efficacy and safety of oral praziquantel against Dicrocoelium dendriticum in llamas.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum can cause severe pathological changes of the liver and bile system in camelids, and therapeutic options for treatment are limited. To address this problem, the efficacy of two different dose rates of praziquantel was investigated in llamas suffering from natural D. dendriticum infections. 53 llamas were examined under field conditions on two occasions: before and two weeks after treatment. At the beginning of the study, the animals were weighed, randomly allocated to one of the treatment groups (n=21 each) or the control group (n=11) and dosed orally using a praziquantel-containing paste (250 mg/ml) at a dose of either 25 mg (group 1) or 50 mg (group 2) per kg of body weight. Criteria for efficacy were faecal egg count reduction (FECR) and extensity effect. Animals treated with 25 mg/kg of body weight showed a FECR of 85%. Therapy with 50 mg/kg led to a FECR of 91%. Almost twice the number of animals of group 1 (33%) still shed eggs two weeks after treatment compared with group 2. The results of this study indicate that 50 mg/kg oral praziquantel is required for efficacious dosing and that this dose rate is safe in llamas and thus is recommended for the treatment of camelids naturally infected with D. dendriticum.

Zoonotic Dicrocoeliasis dendriticum in a farmer's family at Giza Governorate, Egypt.

Dicrocoeliasis (Lancet liver fluke disease) is caused by Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a trematode living in bile ducts of sheep, cattle and other mammals including man. Human infection is asymptomatic or mild to moderately severe, but being sporadic or rarely reported. This paper reported zoonotic dicrocoeliasis dendriticum among a farmer's family and his domestic animals. The father and mother were successfully treated with Triclabendazole and the children and animals were successfully treated with Mirazid and Oleo-resin solution of Commiphora molmol respectively.

Treatment of Egyptian dicrocoeliasis in man and animals with Mirazid.

Two human cases with dicrocoeliasis dendriticum were successfully treated one with Praziquantel (25mg/kg 3 times daily after meals, for four successive days) and second with Mirazid (2 capsules of 300 mg. each, daily an hour before breakfast, for six successive days) as indicated clinically and parasitologically. On the other hand, one imported sheep and two locally bred goats naturally infected with D. dendriticum were successfully treated with Oleo-resin solution (dose of 6 ml of 10 gm% equal to 2 Mirazid capsules before breakfast) per os once daily for four successive days. The animals were slaughtered on 5th day. Mirazid (capsule or Oleo-resin solution) was effective against dicrocoeliasis in man and animal respectively.

[Liver fluke infestation in New World camelids. Parasitology, pathology, clinical findings and therapy]. / Leberegelbefall bei Neuweltkameliden. Parasitologie, Pathologie, Klinik und Therapie.

In Llamas and Alpacas infestation with Fasciola hepatica or Dicrocoelium dendriticum can cause liver damage, sometimes even with lethal outcome. Once infected South American Camelids (SACs) react more sensitively to these parasites than other domestic ruminants. We report here on the pathology, parasitology, clinics and therapy of this disease. Concerning Dicrocoelium dendriticum we describe own clinical results and therapeutic outcome in addition to the pathological investigation. According to anatomic corrosion casts, the bile ducts of SACs show more similarity with the equine bile system than with the bile system of domestic ruminants.