The epidemiology of bovine ostertagiasis in the north temperate regions of North America.

Ostertagia ostertagi is widely distributed and is the most pathogenic of the parasitic nematodes affecting cattle in this region. Clinical ostertagiasis is seen mainly in calves and yearlings but outbreaks tend to be sporadic; the subclinical disease is of greater importance. Studies on the population dynamics of the free-living stages have shown that infective larvae can survive on pasture over the relatively severe winter conditions encountered in this region but that such pasture contamination declines during the succeeding grazing season and is lost by midsummer. In the host there is gradual acquisition of worms from pasture over the summer period, with relatively high burdens accumulating in the autumn. A dramatic shift in the proportion of adult to immature worms occurs during the autumn (October). By the time calves are housed, the proportion of larvae (mainly L4) is greater than 80%. This relative distribution of adults to larvae continues through the winter months until early spring when there appears to be a shift to a higher proportion of adults, presumably due to resumption of development of the L4. These persistent L4 stages are considered to be undergoing hypobiosis. Spring infections of calves appear to be mainly acquired from larvae that have successfully overwintered on pasture, and availability of these larvae is drastically reduced by midsummer. There appears to be negligible development of the eggs that result from the spring infections until late summer and early autumn. At this time because of favorable climatic conditions there is rapid larval development which can result in heavy infections in susceptible calves in the autumn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ostertagiasis in the cow and weaned calf in the northeastern USA.

Most gastrointestinal nematode infections of cattle in the northeast USA are combinations of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. These infections are usually of little consequence in adult cattle because of immunity and consequent low levels of infection. Some work has been done on the effects of infection on milk production but the results are equivocal. Clinical ostertagiasis in calves can lead to mortality. Such outbreaks are often associated with situations where calves are pastured at an early age onto special calf pastures that are used consistently for this purpose. Subclinical ostertagiasis is more usual in this region where light infections become established in calves with no obvious clinical signs. Such infections exact a toll on productivity in the form of decreased weight gains, decreased carcass quality, reduced nitrogen balance and negative effects on post-absorptive protein metabolism. Subclinical infections can also cause transient suppression of cell-mediated immune responses in calves. Increases in fecal worm egg counts of cows have been shown to occur during the spring months and these may contribute to increased contamination of pastures. Ostertagia infective larvae overwinter successfully on pasture and can persist until midsummer. Typical egg production patterns in calves involve a prepatent period, after introduction to pasture in mid to late May, of approximately 3 weeks. Peak egg production occurs at about 6-8 weeks and is followed by a gradual decline in egg counts into the fall. Hypobiosis is very apparent in this region and is most pronounced in late fall (October-November).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Haemonchus contortus and other trichostrongylid infections in parturient, lactating and dry ewes.

From autumn (April) to spring (November), groups of pregnant and dry Merino ewes grazed pasture contaminated with infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. A periparturient rise in faecal egg counts occurred in the pregnant ewes, following the maturation in early spring of arrested fourth-stage larvae of H. contortus and failure of pregnant ewes to expel the resulting adult worms. Peak egg counts were seen in September, just before lambing. In dry ewes, egg counts were slightly elevated at the time of the rise in the pregnant ewes, but fell to very low levels as adult worms developing from previously arrested larvae were expelled. Lactating ewes acquired greater burdens of O. circumcincta and T. colubriformis than did dry ewes, but were equally refractory to new infections with H. contortus. It is therefore suggested that the impairment of immunity to helminth infection seen in reproductive ewes may be more specific than was previously envisaged.

Transplant "twins": the experience of sharing transplanted thoracic organs from the same donor.

BACKGROUND: Many thoracic transplant recipients who receive organs from the same donor share facilities for 3 months, and are aware that they have received organs from the same donor. METHODS: A confidential questionnaire including open and closed questions assessed relationships between "twins" and the experience of having a twin. The Significant Others Scale assessed social support. Of 141 heart and 58 lung transplants, 25 pairs of transplant twins were identified. Questionnaires were sent to the 32 surviving twins. RESULTS: Twenty-six twins responded; 17 had received a heart and nine a lung. The 17 men and 9 women had a mean age of 51 years. Eighteen respondent's "twins" remained alive at the time of participation and eight had died. Sixty-six percent of the both- twin alive group and 43% of one-twin alive group felt they had a special bond with their twin, different from the other relationships that they have experienced. Fifty-six percent of the both-twin alive group and 43% of one-twin alive group felt having a twin enriched their transplant experience. Transplant twins rated social support last behind: the transplant support personnel; close family members; other transplant recipients; and good friends and general practitioners, both in levels of ideal and actual support. Transplant twins showed the largest discrepancy between levels of ideal and actual support than any other individual ranked. CONCLUSIONS: Being a transplant twin is a special experience that generally enriches the overall transplant experience but having a transplant twin, does not appear to enhance the amount of social support.

Long-term population dynamics of pinworms (Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera) in mice.

The population dynamics of concurrent infections of Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda) in laboratory mice were investigated under conditions of constant re-exposure over periods of 56 and 115 days. The results indicate that A. tetraptera burdens equilibrate at a higher level than S. obvelata burdens and that both parasites become aggregated in the mouse population. Parasite burdens were higher following short-term (7 day) exposure of uninfected tracer mice to both parasites when compared with parasite burdens attained over long-term exposure, indicating probable development of immunity. A significant positive correlation was detected between numbers of immature S. obvelata and immature A. tetraptera for both experimental and tracer mice.

Relative importance of winter survival of larval nematodes in pasture and infected carrier calves in a study of parasitic gastroenteritis in calves.

A study was done in Maine to determine the relative importance of winter survival of nematode larvae in pasture and infected carrier animals as sources of infection for susceptible calves. Under the conditions of the experiment, it appeared that winter survivals in pasture of the infective stages of the genera Ostertagia, Cooperia, Nematodirus, and Trichostrongylus were of greater importance than carrier animals as sources of infection for susceptible calves. While animals in plots infected the previous summer and simultaneously allowed to graze alongside infected carrier animals did show more worms than those grazed only in infected plots, these differences were not statistically significant. Both groups had significantly (P greater than 0.01) more worms than did calves grazed only with carrier animals for the period of the experiment (8 weeks). It was also observed that carrier calves with low fecal egg counts (less than 200 eggs/g of feces) introduced in early spring to uncontaminated pasture could produce enough parasitic contamination by early fall to cause fulminating infections in susceptible calves grazing the pasture at the same time. Infected animals that survived clinical disease during their 1st summer developed a strong immunity which limited their acquisition of further infections when they were exposed to severe pasture contamination the following year.

"Spring rise" in fecal nematode egg counts in sheep in Maine.

A "spring rise" in fecal nematode egg counts occurred in Maine sheep housed under conventional conditions during 2 years. Nematodes causing this increase were Haemonchus contortus in one year and Ostertagia sp in the other. The increase in egg counts was greater in sheep that lambed than in unbred sheep. Most of the eggs in the spring rise were probably produced by worms that passed the winter in developmental arrest in the sheep. Some of the female worms probably came from contaminated bedding and developed in the sheep without arrest in growth. Acquisition from contaminated bedding, therefore, should be considered as an additional factor in the epizootiologic character of the condition in Maine.

Persistence on pasture of the infective larvae of nematodes parasitizing Maine dairy cattle.

Yearling calves infected with Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, and Nematodirus helvetianus were allowed to graze on a 0.8 ha pasture plot contaminated during June and August 1977. In June 1978, the plot was subdivided into 10 subplots of equal size. Grazing in 5 of these plots was allowed, each for 1 month, during June, July, August, September, and October by groups of 2 parasite-free 16-week-old calves. The procedure was repeated in 1979 with the remaining 5 subplots. Each group of calves was allowed to graze for 2 weeks, then put into stalls for 2 weeks and killed and examined for worms. There was a good survival of the 3 worm genera over the winter period of 1977-78. In June, calves averaged 250 Ostertagia, 5,345 Cooperia, and 6,955 Nematodirus. Ostertagia and Cooperia were recovered from calves grazing in September and October. The 3rd genus, Nematodirus, also became less plentiful over the summer period, but persisted in calves grazing during September and October. This genus survived a 2nd winter on pasture and worms were recovered until July, 1979.

Pathogenesis of simulated natural infections with Ostertagia ostertagi in calves.

The possibility of a mucosal hypersensitivity reaction and its relationship to the pathogenesis of simulated natural infections with Ostertagia ostertagi were studied in calves. Four groups of 4 calves each were used. One group was used as noninfected control; a 2nd group was given increasing doses of infective larvae; a 3rd group was given increasing doses of larvae and these were removed by succeeding treatment with an anthelmintic; and a 4th group was given an initial dose of larvae which was then eliminated with an anthelmintic. All calves given larvae became sensitized, as shown by an intradermal skin test. The continuously infected calves had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher fecal egg counts, eosinophil counts, plasma pepsinogen values, and worm burdens and significantly (P less than 0.05) lower lymphocyte counts than did the other groups of calves. These animals also had the most extensive mucosal pathologic changes. The group given intermittent larval challenge exposures followed by an anthelmintic showed decreased lymphocyte values, but these were not significant. Plasma pepsinogen values of this group increased between every challenge exposure and treatment, a 3-day period. This indicated that a mucosal hypersensitivity reaction had occurred in these calves at these times, because they were shown to have been sensitized, and challenge-exposure infections were not present for sufficient time to have produced direct pathologic effects. It therefore seems that a part of the pathologic changes in O ostertagi infections may be the result of the continuous challenge exposure experienced by the animals through a constant intake of larvae from pasture and the intestinal reaction to this challenge exposure.

Effectiveness of a slow-release, morantel tartrate anthelmintic bolus for controlling parasitic gastroenteritis in replacement dairy heifers.

Two experiments were done to evaluate the effectiveness of a slow-release, morantel tartrate, anthelmintic bolus for controlling parasitic gastroenteritis in replacement dairy heifers. In experiment 1, good control of nematode contamination of pasture was indicated by lower worm burdens in tracer calves that grazed with 15 heifers treated orally with a single bolus and by significantly decreased numbers of nematode eggs in the feces of the 15 treated heifers, as compared with numbers of eggs in the feces of 15 nontreated control calves. Significant differences in weight gain were not seen between treated and nontreated heifers, probably due to low amounts of larval exposure, the small number of heifers evaluated, and parasitic resistance in the heifers, which may have developed as a result of prestudy exposure to contaminated pasture. In experiment 2, done 1 year after the 1st experiment, using the same pastures that were used in experiment 1, young heifers were used. Many of the heifers were parasite naive at the beginning of the experiment (ie, nematode eggs were not found before the experiment). Treatment with the bolus was effective in controlling parasitic gastroenteritis in the heifers and in controlling nematode contamination of pasture. Compared with nontreated heifers, treated heifers had significantly higher cumulative weight gains, a significant decrease in plasma pepsinogen concentrations, and a significant decrease in worm egg excretion. The number of worms acquired by tracer calves that were grazed with treated heifers was significantly less than for tracer calves that were grazed with nontreated heifers.

Adverse immune reactions and the pathogenesis of Ostertagia ostertagi infections in calves.

The possible development of type-1 hypersensitivity reactions in the abomasal mucosa caused by soluble L3 products of Ostertagia ostertagi was studied in 4-month-old calves sensitized by repeated exposure to L3 over a 50-day period followed by anthelmintic treatment. Four groups each of 4 calves were used. Group 1 served as nonsensitized controls and group 2 as sensitized controls, group 3 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals beginning at week 10 with a soluble L3 product (OAG), and group 4 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals with an oral dose of L3, followed by anthelmintic treatment 3 days later. All calves infected with L3 became sensitized, as indicated by a positive reaction to an intradermal skin test. However, a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was only partly effective in indicating the presence of homocytotropic antibody in the infected calves. Sensitized calves had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher eosinophil counts and plasma pepsinogen values for the entire 14 weeks than uninfected controls. Globule leukocyte and mast cell counts from the abomasal mucosa were also significantly (P less than 0.05) higher. Studies for possible immunomodulation revealed that lymphocyte counts decreased between every 2-week challenge-exposure period for groups-3 and -4 calves. A transient depression of blood lymphocyte (BL) responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T-cell mitogen, was observed over the first 8 weeks in the infected calves. Increases in BL responses to OAG were also observed. Differences were not observed in BL responses to pokeweed mitogen, a T- and B-cell mitogen. Blood lymphocyte responses to PHA in group-3 calves were low following the initial challenge exposure with OAG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of clinically apparent and subclinical Ostertagia ostertagi infections on nitrogen and water metabolism in calves.

Four balance trials were conducted in 3 groups of 5 calves each at 0, 4, 8, and 14 weeks after initial inoculation with Ostertagia ostertagi. Group-1 calves were inoculated with 100,000 third-stage larvae (L3) of O ostertagi/wk for 14 weeks. Group-2 calves were inoculated with 10,000 L3/wk for 14 weeks, and group-3 calves were not inoculated. Effects of infection on apparent digestibilities of dry matter and nitrogen, and balances of nitrogen and water were evaluated. Neither clinically apparent (group 1) nor subclinical (group 2) O ostertagi infections had observable effects on the apparent digestibility of dry matter. Subclinical infection also had no significant effects on nitrogen digestibility or nitrogen and water balance. Clinically apparent infection, however, decreased the apparent digestibilities of nitrogen significantly (P < 0.05) at 4, 8, and 14 weeks after inoculation, and decreased nitrogen balance at 4 and 8 weeks after inoculation. Group-1 calves also had lower water intake, fecal-water excretion, and apparent water balance, but higher urinary water output at 4, 8, and 14 weeks after inoculation.

Nutritional and pathophysiologic effects of clinically apparent and subclinical infections of Ostertagia ostertagi in calves.

Nutritional and physiologic effects of clinically apparent and subclinical Ostertagia ostertagi infections were studied in 3 groups of 5 calves each. Group-1 calves were inoculated with 100,000 Ostertagia ostertagi third-stage larvae (L3)/calf/wk for 14 weeks. Group-2 calves were inoculated with 10,000 L3/calf/wk for 14 weeks, and group-3 calves were no inoculated. Calves in group 1 had decreased dry matter intake and feed utilization from 4 weeks after initial inoculation. Group-2 calves had no changes in dry matter intake, but had decreased feed utilization at 12 and 14 weeks. Calves with clinically apparent infections (group 1) lost a mean weight of 11.8 kg, whereas calves with suclinical infections (group 2) lost a mean of 46.6 kg, and control calves lost a mean of 60.7 kg. Calves with O ostertagi infections (group 1 and 2) also had decreased carcass quality at slaughtering, which was reflected in decreased dressing weights and increased water-holding capacity of the rib-eye muscle. Calves in groups 1 and 2 also had lower carcass yield and rib-eye muscle weight, and group-1 calves had decreased protein content. Results of hematologic, pathologic, parasitologic, and clinical examinations mirrored nutritional changes.

Studies of the immunomodulatory effects of low-level infection with Ostertagia ostertagi in calves.

Possible immunomodulation by low-level infection with Ostertagia ostertagi was studied in 4-month-old calves. Six groups of 4 calves each were subjected to the following regimens: group 1--nonparasitized controls; group 2--nonparasitized, but challenge exposed at day 64 with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine (BA) and at day 78 with IV administration of a soluble third-stage larval (L3) antigen preparation of O ostertagi (OAG); group 3--nonparasitized, but challenge exposed at day 78 with 75 x 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi; group 4--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 x 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi; group 5--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 x 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi, then challenge exposed on day 64 with BA and on day 78 with IV inoculation of OAG; and group 6--continuously parasitized by weekly dosing with 30 x 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi, then challenge exposed on day 78 with 75 x 10(3) L3 of O ostertagi. Over the initial 10 weeks of the study, nonparasitized calves, (groups 1, 2, and 3) had higher body weight, blood lymphocyte (BL) response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and significantly (P less than 0.05) higher feed consumption and lymphocyte numbers, whereas parasitized calves (groups 4, 5, and 6) had higher BL responses to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and significantly (P less than 0.05) higher neutrophil and eosinophil numbers, plasma pepsinogen (PP) values, and BL response to OAG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Occurrence and seasonal behavior of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting Maine dairy cattle.

Gastrointestinal tracts of 48 yearling Maine dairy cattle were examined (8 animals every 2 months) for 1 year. Adult and immature nematodes were identified and counted. Species recovered were Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia mcmasteri, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia punctata, Haemonchus placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostongylus axei, and Trichuris ovis. Strongyle parasitism was observed during every sampling period and the overall incidence was 93.7%. The most commonly encountered genera were Ostertagia spp (85.4%) and Cooperia spp (81.2%). Seasonal fluctuations in the worm burden of various nematodes were observed, with largest numbers seen in the fall. The incidence and degree of parasitism appeared to be related to environmental conditions. Proportions of adult and immature worms were shown to fluctuate with the time of year. Greatest numbers of immature worms were observed during the fall and winter.

Survey of helminth infections in Maine dairy cattle.

The survey was done to determine the incidence and seasonal prevalence of the gastrointestinal helminths infecting Maine dairy cattle. Approximately equal groups of calves, heifers, and cows from 13 dairy farms, managerially and geographically representative of dairying in the state, were sampled at regular 2-month intervals over the period of a year. On the basis of fecal egg counts and identification of cultured larvae, the following results were obtained: Of the 94 adult cows, 78 heifers, and 91 calves sampled continuously in the course of the survey, 95.7%, 98.7%, and 96.7%, respectively, were strongylorid positive (infected with Ostertagia, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, and Oesophagostomun), with an overall incidence of 97%. Strongyloides papillosus eggs were in 64.6% of the cattle, Bunostomum in 40.3%, Nematodirus in 27.8%, Trichuris in 27.0%, Capillaria in 9.5%, Moniezia in 25.1%, and Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae in 2.7%. Worm burdens, as reflected by mean nematode egg production per gram of feces, varied. The greatest worm burdens were in the calves, followed by the heifers and the cows. A marked variation in egg production related to season was observed, particularly with the strongylorid worms. Peak strongylorid egg production was observed in the May-June sampling period. After the peak period, worm burdens decreased in all groups of cattle to their lowest point during the winter period of January-February. This pattern of egg production was similar to that reported by workers in other parts of the world. Farm management practices were shown to be related to the degree of parasitism existing in these herds. Those herds classed as poorly managed had significantly higher levels of parasitism in young animals than those classed as having fair or good management.

Effects of naturally acquired mixed helminth parasitism in yearling dairy calves.

The effects of Strongyle parasitism were studied in yearling calves. One group (4 calves) was a noninfected control, and 2 groups (4 calves each) were infected by exposure on pasture to the same type and degree of parasitism. One of the 2 infected groups were given coumafos at 4-week intervals and the other was not treated. Few significant differences were found between the control and infected groups in hematologic and serum glucose and urea nitrogen values. The control group gained an average of 2.2 kg/week, as compared with 1.0 kg/week, as compared with 1.0 kg/week for the treated group. The parasitized-untreated group lost 0.2 kg/week. Overall, the control group gained 26.8 kg for the 12-week period, which was significantly different (P less than 0.05) from an 11.4-kg gain by the parasitized-treated group and a 2.3 kg loss for the parasitized-untreated group. In the face of constant pasture challenge exposure, most adult worms were eliminated from the drug-treated animals, but the adverse effects of parasitism were not reversed.

Effects of clinical and subclinical gastrointestinal helminthiasis on digestion and energy metabolism in calves.

Digestion and energy metabolism trials were conducted in 2 groups of 4 steer calves each, experimentally infected with Cooperia and Ostertagia larvae. In group 1 calves given an amount expected to cause clinical parasitism (8,000 larvae/kg 0.75), fed intake and nutrient digestibility were significant (P less than 0.05) depressed at postinfection week (PIW) 3 (the time that infections became patent); nitrogen balance in these calves were also low. The apparent absorbed nitrogen fraction was significant (P less than 0.05) depressed because of a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in digestion. Protein catabolism was also increased. Although energy balance was significantly depressed at PIW 3, the calves seemed to recover from the effects of parasitism by PIW 5. In group 1 calves, weight gains were significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed, with mean weight gains of 10.68 kg of body weight as compared with gains of 41.44 kg for group 3 calves (noninfected controls). In group 2 calves given an amount expected to cause a subclinical infection (800 larvae/kg 0.75), nitrogen absorption was significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed at PIW 2 and 3 and energy balance was significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed at PIW 3. In group 2 calves, mean weight gains (34.76 kg) were less than were those for group 3 calves (41.44 kg). The degree of parasitism seen in group 2 calves was comparable with that observed in field examinations of naturally infected calves of approximately the same age. Seemingly, under grazing conditions in Maine, these low levels of parasitism could result in appreciable production losses in young animals.

Pathophysiologic effects of Ostertagia ostertagi in calves and their prevention by strategic anthelmintic treatments.

Pathophysiologic effects of Ostertagia ostertagi infection and their prevention by strategic anthelmintic treatments were studied in 3 groups each of 6 steer calves. Group-1 calves were noninfected controls. Group-2 calves were inoculated with 100,000 third-stage larvae on the 1st and 28th days of the experiment and grazed on pasture initially free of contamination. Group-3 calves were on a similar regimen as those in group 2, but were also treated with ivermectin 9 days after each larval inoculation. Group-2 calves had increased plasma pepsinogen and gastrin values and decreased weight gains, and total serum protein and albumin concentrations from the 2nd week of infection onward. They were anemic at 10 to 12 weeks and had lower carcass and meat quality at slaughter. Strategic anthelmintic treatments were effective in preventing these effects and calves in groups 1 and 3 had similar performances. On the basis of our findings, high pepsinogen values were related to worm burdens, whereas high gastrin concentrations were related to gastric lesions.