Use of live oocyst vaccine in the control of turkey coccidiosis: Effect on performance and intestinal morphology

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different coccidiosis-preventing programs on performance and intestinal morphology of commercial turkeys. Three hundred fifteen1-d-old female commercial cross turkey poults (British United Turkeys, BUT Big 9) were distributed into 3 treatments with 5 replicates of 21 birds each. Three programs were evaluated from 1 to 70 d of age, where program 1 had no anticoccidial drug and no vaccination against coccidiosis; program 2 had an anticoccidial drug (maduramycin 1%, 5 ppm); and program 3 had a vaccination (commercial vaccine, 4 species of Eimeria). All the groups were challenged with a dose of oocysts sporulated (20,000/bird) of 2 species of Eimeria at 21 d of age. In the growing phase (d 0-28), BW, BW gain, and FCR were significantly greater in treated groups compared with control group. In the fattening phase, the performance was not affected by treatments. Treatments and coccidiosis challenge had no significant effects on intestinal villus height. These observations support other reports that confirm live oocyst vaccination can be used effectively as a preventive against avian coccidiosis in commercially reared turkeys.

Partial protection against tissue cysts formation in pigs vaccinated with crude rhoptry proteins of Toxoplasma gondii

A vaccine containing crude Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry proteins incorporated in the immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) adjuvant was tested in pigs for protecting against tissue cyst formation. For this, 38 mixed breed pigs were divided into four groups, G1 (vaccinated challenged, n = 10) received two doses (100 mu g/dose) of the rhoptry vaccine at days 0 and 21, G2 (vaccinated challenged, n = 10) received viable tachyzoites (7 x 10(7)) of the RH strain at day 0, G3 (unvaccinated challenged, n = 10) and G4 (unvaccinated unchallenged, n = 8). Pigs were challenged with 4 x 10(4) VEG strain oocysts 57 days later. The G1 pigs produced high IgG antibody levels in the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after the second dose of rhoptry vaccine, but were not clinically protected against a high dose oocyst challenge. Partial protection was observed in G1 at the chronic phase of infection, when compared with G3. Pigs in group 2 developed high antibody levels and were protected against clinic signs. T gondii was not detected in two (G1) and three (G2) pigs by mouse bioassay. The results indicate partial protection in pigs vaccinated with a rhoptry vaccine. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Eimeria Spp. in Brazilian Water Buffalo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in goat kids

Amostras fecais de cabritos machos e fêmeas, de diferentes raças e com até uma ano de idade, foram examinadas para determinação do número de ovos e oocistos por grama de fezes (OPG e OoPG, respectivamente) e coprocultura para identificação genérica dos nematódeos. Ovos de helmintos e oocistos de Eimeria spp. foram observados em 93,06% (188/202) e 77,22% (156/202) das amostras, respectivamente. Pelas coproculturas, foram identificados os gêneros Cooperia em 11,88% (24/202), Haemonchus em 51,98% (105/202), Oesophagostomum em 9,4% (19/202), Strongyloides em 5,94 (12/202) e Trichostrongylus em 20,79% (42/202) das amostras. As espécies de Eimeria encontradas foram E. alijevi em 25,24% (51/202), E. arloingi em 7,42% (15/202), E. caprina em 2,97% (6/202), E. caprovina em 10,39% (21/202), E. christenseni em 4,45% (9/202), E. joklchijevi em 11,38% (23/202), E. hirci em 9,4% (19/202) e E. ninakohlyakimovae em 28,71% (58/202) das amostras. Dentre os parasitas gastrintestinais, houve predominância do gênero Haemonchus e de duas espécies de Eimeria: E. ninakohlyakimovae e E. alijevi.

SPECIES OF COCCIDIA OCCURRING IN LAMBS IN SAO-PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

The purpose of this experiment was to characterize the species of Eimeria affecting lambs and their infection pattern. Faecal samples were collected from each animal at 14-day intervals, beginning when lambs were 2 weeks old and ending when they were 32 weeks old. The oocysts were counted and identified as E. intricata, E. parva, E. pallida, E. crandallis, E. bakuensis, E. weybridgensis, E. ahsata and E. ovinoidalis. The highest oocyst counts were observed when the lambs were 4-8 weeks old.

Real-time PCR assay targeting the actin gene for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in calf fecal samples

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Anticoccidial effects of coumestans from Eclipta alba for sustainable control of Eimeria tenella parasitosis in poultry production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of a product containing coumestans from Eclipta alba. Experimental conditions were set up as to reproduce the environment conditions for husbandry adopted in commercial broiler farms. Broilers were raised in broiler chicken shed provided with feeders, drinkers, illumination and temperature control systems and floor covering to afford an adequate nourishing environment. Male Cobb broilers (240) were assigned to four experimental groups being each experimental group set apart in rice straw-covered shed isolated with wire mesh. One-day-old broilers were reared in a coccidian-free environment with ad libitum supply of filtered water and freely available standard feed, from the 1st to the 35th day of life. The T1 group received standard feed (negative control); T2 was treated with standard feed supplemented with 66 ppm of salinomycin (positive control); groups T3 and T4 had standard feed supplemented with the ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extract of E. alba aerial parts, which contains the coumestans WL and DWL (120 and 180 ppm, respectively). The chicken broilers were individually infected with 2 x 104 oocysts of Eimeria tenella when they were 14 days old and were monitored weekly to evaluate zootechnical parameters such as weight gain and food conversion ratio. Counting of coccidial oocyst in chiken feces was assessed from random samples, from the 21st to 28th days of life, which corresponded to 7-14 days after the infection. Five chickens selected at random from each experimental group were subsequently euthanized at 21, 28 or 35 days of life to determine the lesion score in the cecal region and to excise a cecum portion for histopathological evaluation. The group treated with coumestans from E. alba presented an average weight gain and food conversion ratio higher than the negative control group and similar to the mean value of the positive control group. Coumestan-treated groups showed a significant decrease in the oocyst counting since the 21th day of life and displayed a reduced number of macroscopic lesions. Histopathological evaluations of cecum fragments showed that both treatments induced the migration of defense cells at the site of infection. A severe destruction of the cecal lining was found in the intestinal tract of broilers fed with a coumestans dose of 180 ppm. Overall, our results validate the use of a phytotherapy containing E. alba coumestans at a dose of 120 ppm as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent against avian coccidiosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental infection of bovines with oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii

Calves aged 3 mth were readily infected with oocysts and cysts of Toxoplasma gondii administered by the oral route. Fever, respiratory distress, nasal discharge, and hyperemia of the conjunctivas were the most significant clinical signs noted in the infected animals. Parasitemia was demonstrated in all infected calves. It occurred on different days and up to 62 days after the infection. Toxoplasma was demonstrated in tissues of all infected calves, and the organ most frequently parasitized was the lymph node. Parasitism of the retina was demonstrated in 2 calves. All infected animals had antibody against T. gondii in their serum. The Sabin-Feldman dye test and the indirect immunofluorescent test were both useful in detecting antitoxoplasma antibody.

Espécies do gênero Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) em caprinos leitros mantidos em sistema intensivo na região de São Jose do Rio Preto, estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

Were examined 58 dairy goats, 41 kids and 17 adults, Saanen and Alpine breeds, males and females, in intensive system, in the São José do Rio Preto region, São Paulo state, for detection and identification of Eimeria spp. oocysts. The 58 feces samples analyzed by the Centrifugal-flotation technique, were positive for, at least, one Eimeria species. The Eimeria species found in this research were: E. ninakohlyakimovae (77,6%), E. jolchijevi (72,4%), E. alijevi (63,8%), E. christenseni (63,8%), E. arloingi (62,1%), E. caprovina (56,9%), E. hirci (50,0%) and E. caprina (48,3%). It follows that the high rate of the positive animals and the high frequency of the Eimeria species among the animals demonstrated that the disease is common in dairy goats, kids and adults, in intensive system.

Comparação entre técnicas coproparasitológicas no diagnóstico de ovos de helmintos e oocistos de protozoários em cães.

In this study we evaluated the frequency of enteroparasites in pet dogs and their association with age, sex and breed, as well as the efficiency of the Willis-Mollay, Faust, Sedimentation and Direct exam methods. By these methods we processed 401 fecal samples. The samples were positive in the following percentages: Ancylostoma spp. (53.1%), Toxocara canis (20.7%), Cystoisospora ohioensis (15.7%), Trichuris vulpis (3.7%), Dipylidium caninum (2.5%) and Taenia spp. (1.0%). Toxocara canis (67.3%) and C. ohioensis (47.3%) showed higher positivity in the puppies. The Willis-Mollay technique was more efficient in the diagnosis of Ancylostoma spp. and T. canis eggs. The Direct method was the least efficient. It was found that the majority of the cases of D. caninum were diagnosed by the Sedimentation method (8=2.0%), while for T. vulpis Willis-Mollay (12=3.0%) and Sedimentation (13=3.2%) were more efficient. In view of these results, we can recommend the association of Willis-Mollay and Sedimentation methods for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal helminths. Due to the elevated occurrence of Ancylostoma spp. and T. canis, which are involved in zoonotic diseases, it becomes necessary to apply more efficient prophylaxis of canine intestinal parasitosis at the City of Araçatuba, state of São Paulo.

Um surto de coccidiose em perdizes (Rhynchotus rufescens), criadas em cativeiro, por Eimeria rhynchoti Reis e Nóbrega, 1936 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae).

Eimeria rhynchoti is redescribed parasitizing partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens), reared in captivity, from Jaboticabal City, São Paulo State, Brazil. Sporulation takes place in 48 hours, the shape of oocysts found vary from spherical to elliptic with 23.01 micro +/- 1.57 of length by 21.0 micro +/- 1.78 of width. The microple, polar cap and residuum of the oocysts were absent. The oocyst wall, measures 2.2 micro +/- 0.31 of thickness, is composed by two smooth layers; the polar granule is present. The sporocysts length was 15.03 mm +/- 2.12 by 8.08 mm +/- 0.84 of width vary from elliptic to elongate. Sporocyst wall slender with is fine and Stieda body; the residue found in form of several smaller granules spherical compacts. The sporozoites are contrary extending along the sporocysts wall possessing refracts body of easy visualization.

Toxoplasma gondii: Detection by mouse bioassay, histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction in tissues from experimentally infected pigs

In the present study, we evaluated three techniques, mouse bioassay, histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Toxoplasma gondii infection in tissues from experimentally infected pigs. Twelve mixed breed pigs, seronegative for T. gondii using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), were used. Ten pigs were infected with 4 × 104 VEG strain oocysts, and two were maintained as uninfected controls. Animals were killed 60 days pos infection. Muscle (heart, tongue, diaphragm, and masseter) and brain samples were collected to investigate the presence of T. gondii tissue cysts by the different assay methods. For the bioassay, samples of brain (50 g) and pool of muscle samples (12.5 g of tongue, masseter, diaphragm, and heart) were used. PCR was performed using Tox4 and Tox5 primers which amplified a 529 bp fragment. The DNA extraction and PCR were performed three times, and all tissue samples were tested individually (brain, tongue, masseter, diaphragm, and heart). For histopathology, fragments of tissues were fixed in 10% of buffered formal saline and stained with HE. Histopathological results were all negative. PCR showed 25/150 (16.6%) positive samples, being 17/120 (14.1%) and 8/30 (26.6%) from muscle, and brain tissues, respectively. Tissue cysts of T. gondii were identified by mouse bioassay in 54/98 (55.1%) samples, being 31/48 (64.6%) from muscle samples, and 23/50 (46.0%) from brain samples. Toxoplasma gondii isolation in muscle samples by mouse bioassay was higher than in PCR (P < 0.01). Results indicate that DNA from pig tissues interfered with 529-bp-PCR sensitivity, and mouse bioassay was better than PCR in detecting T. gondii in tissues from pigs. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Coccidiose em cães e gatos do município de andradina, estado de são paulo, Brasil

Coccidiosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in dogs and cats in all the world. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of this parasitosis in dog and cat population at the Municipality of Andradina in the State of São Paulo, from 2007 to 2009. Fecal samples from 97 cats and 93 dogs were analyzed by using the techniques of flotation in saturated sodium chloride and spontaneous sedimentation. The species were classified according to morphology of the oocysts. Cystoisospora fecal oocyst found in 71.1% (69/97) of the cats, and simple infection by C. rivolta and C. felis occurred respectively in 41.0% (16/39) and 20.5% (8/39) animals, with P ≥ 0.2319. In 39.7%(37/93) of the dogs was found positive for Cystoisospora spp. And the species C. canis identified in the largest proportion (63.9%) with P = 0.0005. From the results, we conclude that dogs and cats had high incidence of infection Cystoisospora, being C. canis and C. rivolta most observed species, respectively.

Sexual transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep

Male sheep of reproductive age were distributed into three groups: GI, a sheep inoculated (oral) with 2.0×105 oocysts of the P strain of Toxoplasma gondii; GII, a sheep infected (subcutaneous) with 1.0×106 tachyzoites of the RH strain of T. gondii; and GIII, a sheep kept as a control (not infected). After the inoculation of the males, 12 breeding ewes, which were not pregnant and which were serologically negative for reproductive diseases (particularly toxoplasmosis), were distributed into three groups, synchronized, and subsequently exposed to natural mating with previously inoculated males. The distribution was as follows: five ewes that underwent natural mating with the GI male, five ewes that were exposed to natural mating with the GII male, and two ewes that were mated with the non-infected male (control). Serum samples of all the ewes were collected on days -30, -14, -7, -1, and 0 (days before natural mating) and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, and weekly until birth; the presence of serum antibodies against T. gondii was assessed by IFAT. Using a bioassay and PCR, T. gondii was isolated from the semen of the infected reproducing sheep before mating. Following natural mating, 5 of the 12 females displayed antibodies specific for T. gondii; of these animals, two of the ewes underwent natural mating with the male inoculated with oocysts (GI) and three with the male infected with tachyzoites (GII). One of the females that displayed antibodies specific to this coccidian and that underwent natural mating with the GII sheep had a macerated fetus on the 70th day following coverage. Using a bioassay after the birth, it was possible to isolate T. gondii from samples of the pool of tissues from the five females that seroconverted after natural mating and from their respective lambs. Using PCR, the DNA of T. gondii was isolated from the pool of tissues from one and two females exposed to natural mating with the reproductive males infected with the oocysts and tachyzoites, respectively. Using this technique, it was also possible to diagnose the presence of the parasite in the pool of tissues from the lambs of one female that underwent natural mating with the male sheep infected with oocysts. These results demonstrated the sexual transmission of T. gondii in the sheep species with consequent vertical transmission to their lambs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Avaliação da PCR em tempo real para detecção de Cryptosporidium parvum em amostras fecais de bezerros: Camila Guariz Homem. -

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)