Further studies on the necessity or otherwise of multiple pre-treatment groups in faecal egg count reduction tests in sheep.

Data utilised in a previous study to compare two different faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) in sheep involving multiple anthelmintic treatments and undifferentiated faecal egg counts (FECs), were re-examined using FECs for individual parasite genera. The first of these FECRTs was based on changes in the pre- and post-treatment FECs of the same groups of animals. The other represented an abbreviated version of the former procedure and involved only a single common pre-treatment group as a baseline for comparing all post-treatment results. A comparison of the results obtained with these two procedures showed that the use of either one of them was likely to provide similar estimates of anthelmintic efficacy and the detection of a comparable number of cases of anthelmintic-resistance for all parasite genera. These findings offer further support to a previously expressed view that the use of the more complex and costly pre- and post-treatment FECRT procedure is unlikely to provide any real advantages over the simpler one.

Are multiple pre-treatment groups necessary or unwarranted in faecal egg count reduction tests in sheep?

Previously conducted faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) in sheep involving a number of different anthelmintic treatments, were used to examine the effects of comparing post-treatment faecal egg counts (FECs) with pre-treatment counts from either the same treatment groups (matched FECRs) or with those from other treatment groups (unmatched FECRs). Each of these unmatched FECRs were considered to be analogous to those that might otherwise have been obtained by the use of a randomly selected group of animals to provide a single pre-treatment baseline for comparing all post-treatment results. An examination of these comparisons showed that the use of either procedure was likely to result in similar estimates of anthelmintic efficacy and the detection of a comparable number of cases of anthelmintic-resistance. Only on 1.1% of occasions did the FECRs from any of the unmatched groups fall outside the 95% confidence limits of the FECRs of their corresponding matched counterparts and in just 9.8% (54/553) of instances were there any disagreements between the number of cases categorised as either resistant or susceptible on the basis of a < or ≥ 95% FECR. These findings suggest that any improvements in accuracy and reliability that might supposedly be achieved by the use of multiple pre- and post-treatment FECs from the same treatment groups as opposed to those likely to be provided by the use of a single randomly selected representative pre-treatment group, may be largely illusory.

Has the optimum time for faecal nematode egg count reduction testing in sheep in New Zealand changed?

AIM: To determine what, if any, changes have taken place in the optimum time, for undertaking faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) in sheep in New Zealand. METHODS: A comparison was made between the numbers and types of nematode genera adequately represented for testing purposes (faecal nematode egg count (FEC) of ≥50 epg) in initial FECRT case submissions to a veterinary laboratory in New Zealand, during two 4-year periods, in 1992-1995 and 2006-2009. RESULTS: Although there were some minor differences between them, the seasonal patterns of occurrence remained basically the same for all parasite genera in both datasets, with their individual peak periods of representation occurring during February to May in all instances. Not surprisingly, this period of maximum seasonal occurrence for each parasite genus also coincided with those months of the year when the greatest numbers of worm genera were adequately represented for faecal nematode egg count reduction (FECR) testing. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the optimum time for conducting FECRT in sheep in New Zealand continues to be during the late summer-autumn months of February to May. However, they also reaffirmed that even during this optimal period there are still likely to be many occasions when relatively few nematode genera may be sufficiently well represented for satisfactory FECR testing. Accordingly, veterinary practitioners ought to be aware that, in order to obtain a complete picture of the resistance status of all worm genera on a particular property, such testing may need to be carried out on more than one occasion.

Comparison of two worm counting procedures for the enumeration of abomasal and small intestinal nematode parasites of sheep.

A comparison was made between two worm counting procedures in sheep. One involved the washing of the abomasa and first 10m of the small intestine using a 250microm aperture sieve. The other the processing of the abomasa and total length of the small intestine using a 38microm aperture sieve. In the former case, the collection of worms and contents from the small intestine was performed by introducing water into the posterior end and then drawing it between finger and thumb, whereas in the latter instance the intestine was cut open before rinsing and washing. The data demonstrated that processing only the first 10m of the small intestine was likely to result in a serious underestimation of the total numbers of worms present. They also showed that cutting open and rinsing of this organ was unnecessary if it had already been washed out by introducing water into it. The proportions of the total numbers of both 5th and late 4th stage worms recovered using a 250microm aperture sieve were generally high. These ranged from 93 to 100% for all 5th stage worms and between 85 and 100% for late 4th stage larvae of worm genera other than Trichostrongylus where 45.8-61.5% of such larvae were recovered. However, only small proportions of early 4th stage larvae (range 7.7-33.3%) were retained by the use of a 250microm aperture sieve regardless of the parasite genus involved. It is suggested that judicious application of these findings may enable considerable time savings to be made when performing worm counts in sheep.

An examination of the relative reliability of laboratory case submissions in determining the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes in New Zealand, and the possible influence of test analysis methodology on such data.

AIM: To evaluate the likely reliability of laboratory case submissions in assessing the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes in New Zealand, and to examine the possible influence of two alternative faecal nematode egg count reduction (FECR) analysis methodologies on such data. METHODS: A comparison was made between the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance determined using faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) conducted on randomly selected sheep farms in a national survey with those derived from similar case material submitted to a veterinary pathology laboratory on a more ad-hoc basis. A comparison was also made between two alternative FECR analysis methodologies using the latter data. One methodology involved a partially differentiated procedure in which FECRs for individual nematode genera were only undertaken in those instances where reductions in total strongylid faecal nematode egg counts (FECs) (excluding Nematodirus) of <95% were recorded. The other was a fully differentiated method where reductions in FECs for individual parasites were undertaken in all cases. RESULTS: Although there were some differences between them the results showed that there were considerable similarities between the prevalence data obtained from both the national survey and laboratory case submissions. This was particularly evident in relation to the overall pattern of involvement of the various nematode genera and the types of anthelmintic concerned. A comparison between laboratory case submission data analysed using a partially differentiated FECR methodology with that of a fully differentiated procedure, however, suggested that the use of the former practice was likely to lead to the 'true' prevalence of resistance being underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that examination of FECRT case submissions to veterinary laboratories may offer a useful source of information regarding changes in the prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant sheep nematodes in New Zealand. They also lend support to suggestions that the recently completed national survey may have provided a conservative estimate of the prevalence of such resistance.

Further comparison of faecal egg count reduction test procedures: sensitivity and specificity.

In a recent communication (McKenna 2006), a comparison was made between four different methods for calculating results from faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests (FECRTs). The first and most complex of these, referred to as FECRT1, involved the use of the formula: FECR = 100 x (1-[T2/T1][C1/C2]), where T1 and T2 represented the mean pre- and post-treatment faecal nematode egg counts (FECs) of a treated group, and C1 and C2 represented the mean pre- and post-treatment FECs of an untreated control group, respectively. The other three formulae consisted of more simplified versions of this procedure. In one of them (FECRT2), only post-treatment samples were considered, whereas the other two were based on comparisons between the FECs of groups of animals sampled at the time of anthelmintic treatment (pre-treatment) with those sampled several days later (post-treatment). Thus, FECRT2 was determined according to the formula: FECR = 100 x (1-[T2/C2]), while FECRT3 was calculated from FECR = 100 x (1-[T2/T1]). The fourth procedure (FECRT4) was based on a further simplification of FECRT3, where pre-treatment FECs from only one treatment group were used for comparison with all post-treatment results. This base-line pre-treatment group thus effectively functioned as an untreated control group and hence the formula for FECRT4 was FECR = 100 x (1-[T2/C1]). The study was based on an analysis of 210 previously published FECRTs performed in sheep or goats. In each case, FECRs were calculated using all four of these FECRT formulae, and their results compared. The results of these comparisons indicated that the use of any one of them was likely to result in similar estimates of anthelmintic efficacy and the detection of comparable numbers of cases of anthelmintic resistance continued.

Resistance to a triple combination of broad-spectrum anthelmintics in naturally-acquired Ostertagia circumcincta infections in sheep.

AIM: To measure the efficacy of two macrocyclic lactone-levamisole-benzimidazole combination drenches against naturally-acquired abomasal nematode infections on a sheep farm in the North Island, New Zealand. METHODS: Eighteen lambs carrying naturally-acquired worm burdens were removed from pasture and randomly allocated to one of three equal-sized groups, consisting of an untreated control group and two treatment groups. One treatment group was given a single oral dose of a triple-combination anthelmintic administered at the manufacturer's recommended dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin, 7.5 mg/kg levamisole and 5.0 mg/kg albendazole. The other treatment group received a similar dose of another triple-combination drench consisting of 0.2 mg/kg abamectin, 8.0 mg/kg levamisole and 4.5 mg/kg oxfendazole. Worm counts were carried out post mortem on the abomasa of all animals in all groups, 10 days after treatment. RESULTS: While the abamectin-levamisole-oxfendazole combination was highly effective against all three abomasal nematode species present, the ivermectin-levamisole-albendazole combination was not. In the latter instance, a reduction of only 78% was achieved against infections of Ostertagia (=Teladorsagia) circumcincta. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of resistance to an ivermectin-levamisole-albendazole combination drench by O. circumcincta. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Besides representing the first confirmed report of resistance to a combination drench consisting of three broad-spectrum anthelmintics, the present results provide further evidence of the continuing escalation of multiple anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes in New Zealand.

Early onset of colonic adenocarcinoma associated with cystic fibrosis--a case report.

We report the case of the onset of colorectal adenocarcinoma occurring in an 18 year-old patient, suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. This represents a presentation of colon cancer at an earlier stage than previously reported. Despite this, there is an established link between the two diseases although the pathogenesis is, as yet, unknown. This early onset emphasizes yet another association with the disease and encourages clinicians to be aware of potentially disastrous complications.

Libyostrongylus infections in ostriches--a brief review with particular reference to their detection in New Zealand.

Following the recent discovery of Libyostrongylus douglassii in ostriches in New Zealand, information relating to this nematode is reviewed. Amongst some of the topics considered are the parasite's distribution and prevalence, its life cycle and survival, and its diagnosis and control. Of particular interest from a New Zealand perspective is the potential for the parasite to infect other ratites, especially the kiwi. While the current evidence suggests that this may be unlikely to occur, the possibility that it might be able to do so cannot be ruled out entirely.

Confirmation of resistance to ivermectin by Cooperia curticei in sheep.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of resistance to a full dose of oral ivermectin by Cooperia curticei in sheep. METHODS: Twelve lambs on a sheep and cattle property in the North Island of New Zealand were randomly allocated to one of two equal-sized groups. One group was treated orally with a single dose of ivermectin at the manufacturer's recommended dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg, while the other remained as an untreated control. Worm counts were carried out post mortem on the abomasa and small intestines of all animals in both groups 7 days after treatment. RESULTS: While treatment with ivermectin reduced the numbers of all other worm genera to almost zero, those of Ostertagia(= Telodorsagia) circumcincta and C. curticei were reduced by only 37% and 19%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide clear evidence of resistance to ivermectin by O. circumcincta and C. curticei. They also appear to represent the first record of macrocylic lactone (ML) resistance in C. curticei in sheep in New Zealand or elsewhere.

A survey of the prevalence of emerging macrocyclic lactone resistance and of benzimidazole resistance in sheep nematodes in the lower North Island of New Zealand.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of emerging macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistance and of resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics on a number of sheep farms in the North Island of New Zealand. METHODS: On commercial sheep farms (n=30) in the Taihape district in the North Island of New Zealand, 30 animals were randomly allocated to one of two equal-sized groups and treated with either half of the recommended dose rate of ivermectin (half of 0.2 mg/kg), or with the full recommended dose rate of oxfendazole (4.5 mg/kg). The ivermectin treatment only was used on a further six properties. Faecal egg counts, accompanied by pooled larval cultures, were conducted on all samples at the time of treatment and 7-10 days later. RESULTS: Resistance, as indicated by a <95% faecal egg count reduction (FECR) in both instances, was found to oxfendazole on 13/30 (43%) farms and to a half dose of ivermectin on 12/36 (33%) properties. For oxfendazole, such resistance was found to involve all six nematode genera whereas for ivermectin it was almost entirely restricted to Ostertagia and Cooperia infections. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that emerging ML resistance may be more common on sheep farms in New Zealand than is generally realised. They also suggest that the half-dose ivermectin faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) may offer some very practical benefits for parasite control by providing early warning of developing resistance to ML drenches and by signalling the possible imminent failure of these at their therapeutic dose rates. The sensitivity and reliability of this procedure may be further enhanced by the inclusion of larval cultures.

Resistance to moxidectin and abamectin in naturally acquired Ostertagia circumcincta infections in sheep.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of resistance to macrocyclic lactone (ML) anthelmintics by Ostertagia circumcincta in lambs on a sheep and cattle property in the North Island of New Zealand. METHODS: Thirty lambs were randomly allocated to one of five equal-sized groups, consisting of an untreated control and four treatment groups. The treatments, which were administered at the manufacturer's recommended dose rates, included oral moxidectin, oral abamectin (both at 0.2 mg/kg), an albendazole-levamisole combination, and an albendazole-levamisole-ivermectin combination. Post mortem worm counts were undertaken 7 days after treatment to determine the efficacy of each anthelmintic. RESULTS: The albendazole-levamisole and albendazole-levamisole-ivermectin combinations both reduced O. circumcincta burdens to zero whereas for moxidectin and abamectin efficacies of only 72% and 29%, respectively, were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrated the occurrence of resistance to MLs by O. circumcincta. Although this is not the first occasion where resistance to this anthelmintic family has been detected in this parasite in sheep in New Zealand, it is the first instance that resistance to either moxidectin or abamectin has been reported.

Probable multigeneric resistance to macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics in cattle in New Zealand.

AIM: To establish the efficacy of topical formulations of eprinomectin and abamectin against naturally acquired abomasal and small intestinal nematode infections in cattle purchased from a North Island bull-beef property. METHODS: A controlled slaughter trial, involving eighteen 6-8-month-old mixed breed calves, was conducted in May 2002.The animals were randomly allocated on the basis of faecal egg count to one of three equal-sized groups (n=6), consisting of an untreated control group and two treatment groups. One of the treatment groups was treated with a topical formulation of eprinomectin, the other with abamectin. Both anthelmintics were administered as a single topical treatment on an individual liveweight basis, at the manufacturer's recommended dose rates of 0.5 mg/kg. All calves were housed in separate groups with no access to pasture throughout the entire trial and were slaughtered 7-10 days after treatment. RESULTS: Both anthelmintic treatments were highly effective(worm count reduction >98%) against Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia punctata, but were not effective at reducing worm counts significantly of either Cooperia oncophora or Trichostrongylus longispicularis. Against these latter two parasites, worm count reductions of only 72% and 79%, and 81% and 76%, respectively, were recorded following treatment with eprinomectin or abamectin, respectively (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate evidence of resistance to macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics by C. oncophora and probably T. longispicularis also. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As well as perhaps providing the first record of resistance to any anthelmintic by T. longispicularis, the present findings may also represent the first case of resistance to macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics exhibited by more than one parasite species at a time in cattle in New Zealand.