Parasitic Gut Diseases III Flashcards
What is an important helminth in the stomach of the pig?
Hyostrongulus rubidus
What is an important helminth in the small intestine of the pig?
- Ascaris suum
- Strongyloides ransomi
- Trichinella spiralis
What are some important helminths in the large intestine of the pig?
- Trichuris suis
- Oesophagostamum spp.
What is ascuris suum?
a ‘creamy-white’ roundworm
* the males can be up to 25cm, females 40cm
* they can live for several months
What are the key notes surrounding ascaris eggs?
- The eggs are resistant to low temperatures, dessication and strong chemicals
- they can survive for up to 10 years in the soil
- the female worms produce 200,000 eggs a day
- earthworms and dung beetles can then ingest the eggs
What is trichuris suis?
Whipworm
* Adults creamy-white & 30-50 mm long
* Whip-like appearance – thin head & fat bottom
* Live several months
What is the trichuris suis lifecycle?
- L1 hatch out in small intestine epithelium
- Migrate to colon/caecum & penetrate mucosal lining
- Undergo four molts
- Adults mate & female lays 2,000 – 10,000 eggs per day
- Eggs can survive for long periods in soil
- PPP ~3 months
What is Hyostrongylus rubidus?
red stomach worm
thin reddish worms
5-10 mm long
found in the stomach
What are Oesophagostamum spp.?
nodular worms
white worms
8-14 mm long
large intestine
What is the lifecycle of Oesophagostamum spp. and Hyostrongulus?
Adults mate in the stomach or intestine
Eggs are then passed out in faeces
Eggs hatch out and then develop into L3 larvae
larvae is ingested, 2 moults occur
What is the epidemiology of ascaris?
- Sows & boars – reservoirs of light infection
- Highest infection at 3-6 months, partial immunity from 4 months
- Seasonality – greatest incidence in summer
What is the epidemiology of trichuris?
- Infection from eggs contaminating environment
- Most heavy infection at 2-4 months of age
What is the clinical consequence of ascaris suum?
- Mainly production loss – depressed weight gain & feed
conversion rates - Occasionally intestinal obstruction
- Pulmonary phase – transient pneumonia
- Migrating larvae cause “milk spot” lesions in liver, fade
after 6 weeks
What is the clinical consequence of Trichuris suis?
You can ocasionally see the disease if the infection is heavy
* inflammation of the caecal mucosa causes watery diarrhoea with blood and mucus
What is the clinical consequence of a Hyostrongylus rubidus infection?
inappetence, vomiting anaemia, loss of condition, diarrhoea
What is the clinical consequence of Oesophagostamum spp?
- Ocassional diarrhoea, depressed weight gain and feed conversion
- pregnant sows- inappetence, they become very thin, milk production is reduced
What are the two classes of antithelmintics currently licensed to treat helminths in pigs?
- Avermectins
- Benzimadoles
What are the two ways you can monitor helminths in pigs?
- Herd monitoring using faecal egg counts
- abattoir surveillance for milk spots
How can you help control pig helminths?
- Hygeine (slatted floors in intensive production)
- ensure site is properly cleaned and disinfected
- Movement of pigs to clean ground
- Routine deworming of backyard pigs
What parasite type has the most significant impact on poultry?
Nematodes have the most significant economical impact (effects on weight gain and egg production)
What can poultry stress lead to?
Increased infection/ Disease
What is ascaridia galli?
The most common poultry parasite
* Hosts include chicken, turkey, goose, guinea fowl
* Transmission via faecal-oral route
What is the average length of Ascariddia galli?
12cm
