Faecal egg counts were used to study patterns of trichostrongyle infections in sheep and goats according to season, age, pregnancy and lactation on traditional farms in west Malaysia. Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most important strongyles in sheep and in goats, H. contortus, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. were most prevalent. The faecal egg counts of sheep and goats were apparently not influenced by the small seasonal climatic variations. Strongyle infections were acquired at an earlier age in sheep than in goats. Mean faecal egg counts decreased from the age of 8 months onwards in sheep while in goats this occurred from 12-18 months onwards. A periparturient rise in strongyle egg counts was observed in both animal species. Haemonchus contortus was mainly responsible for this rise in faecal egg counts. The results are discussed with reference to control of gastrointestinal strongyle infections in sheep and goats.
The therapeutic and prophylactic effects of closantel on natural infections with Haemonchus contortus were studied in goats in Peninsular Malaysia. Closantel was highly effective against H. contortus, either at a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 5.0 mg kg-1 body weight (100%), or in an oral drench mixture with mebendazole at a dose of 10.0 mg kg-1 (99.2%), as indicated by faecal egg counts. H. contortus larvae were absent from faecal cultures for 5, 6 and 7 weeks following treatment with s.c. injections of closantel at doses of 2.5 mg kg-1, 5.0 mg kg-1 and 10.0 mg kg-1 respectively, and for 6 weeks after treatment with closantel at 10.0 mg kg-1, given orally. Through its sustained activity, closantel not only prevented reinfection with H. contortus but also caused a dramatic reduction in pasture contamination. The potential utility of closantel in the strategic control of haemonchosis in goats, and as an alternative treatment for benzimidazoles and levamisole resistant H. contortus strains, is discussed.
Ninety-six randomly selected farms, located throughout peninsular Malaysia, were surveyed for goat nematodes resistant to benzimidazoles (BZ). On 33 farms BZ resistance was demonstrated by means of an egg hatch assay. Haemonchus contortus was found to be the main species involved in anthelmintic resistance. There was a positive association between the frequency of anthelmintic treatments on a farm and the presence of benzimidazole resistance. To assess the value of the egg hatch assay, faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests were also performed on 20 farms. On six farms the LD50 of thiabendazole (TBZ) was less than 0.10 micrograms ml-1 and the FECR higher than 95% and on ten farms with an LD50 TBZ of over 0.10 micrograms ml-1 a FECR of less than 95% was measured. On four farms the FECR was less than 95%, although the egg hatch assay showed LD50 TBZ values of less than 0.10 micrograms ml-1 and on two of these three farms a controlled efficacy test confirmed the presence of BZ resistant H. contortus. From these results it can be concluded that the egg hatch assay underestimated the true incidence of benzimidazole resistance. Levamisole resistance was detected with a FECR test on two of ten farms investigated.
Coccidial infections were studied in goats in the state of Selangor (peninsular Malaysia) during a 12-month period. The study included 10 smallholder farms on which kids were monitored for faecal oocyst counts from birth until 1-year old. Eimeria oocysts were found in 725 (89%) of 815 faecal samples examined. Nine species of Eimeria were identified. The most prevalent were E. arloingi, found in 71% of the samples, E. ninakohlyakimovae (67%), E. christenseni (63%) and E. alijevi (61%). The other species found were, E. hirci, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. caprina and E. pallida, present in 34, 22, 12, 9 and 4% of the samples, respectively. Oocyst counts were significantly higher in animals of less than 4-months old (P < 0.05). High oocyst counts were mainly caused by non-pathogenic species. Poor hygienic conditions were found to be associated with a higher intensity of coccidial infections. Mortality rates in kids could not be related to the intensity of coccidial infections.
The residual effectiveness of 0.005mg/ml of cyhalothrin applied to cattle was determined against three species of mosquitos: Anopheles maculatus Theobald. Anopheles dirus Peyton and Harrison Mansonia uniformis Theobald. Twenty-four hour post exposure mortality and the degree of successful blood engorgement were determined by exposing mosquitos for 10 minutes to cattle. Three replicated assays were conducted and mortality determined at 1, 2, 7, 14 and 21 days after each treatment. An initial mortality of 92-94% for An. dirus and Ma. uniformis and 79% for An. maculatus was obtained. Percentage mortality declined to 10%, 18% and 31% for An. maculatus, An. dirus and Ma. uniformis respectively on day 7 post application. On day 21 post application, percentage mortality was 2-3% for the three species of mosquitos.
Blood gastrin and pepsinogen responses of native village goats in Malaysia to a single dose of 10,500 infective Haemonchus contortus larvae were investigated. Both blood values were significantly elevated within a week of infection and exhibited a highly significant correlation during the study. The magnitude of the blood gastrin response was, however, significantly greater than that of pepsinogen during the period that both blood values were elevated. It is suggested that blood gastrin assay may be of particular value in the diagnosis of chronic haemonchosis in animals harbouring relatively light worm burdens.
Toxocara malaysiensis n. sp. from the small intestine of the domestic cat (Felis catus L.) in Malaysia is described and illustrated. This ascaridoid nematode was previously assumed to be Toxocara canis, which it superficially resembles, or designated Toxocara sp. cf. canis. The new species differs from T. canis in the shape of the cervical alae in cross section, spicule length, and the lip structure. It is also distinct from other species assigned to Toxocara.
This study was conducted to investigate the low prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru as reported by veterinary practitioners, using wet blood mount, Knott's Concentration Test and two heartworm antigen test kits (IDEXX Canine SNAP® 4Dx and RapiGEN®). This study also compared the two test kits used and determined the microfilaria species. Blood were collected from 100 owned dogs and 50 stray dogs in Johor Bahru via cephalic venipuncture. A thick blood smear was done and examined for samples that were positive for microfilaria species identification. The overall prevalence of D. immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru was 1.33% (2/150) and the microfilaria identified was D. immitis. The prevalence of heartworm in owned and stray dogs in this study was 1% and 2% respectively. With only one false negative result from RapiGEN® test kit, comparing the sensitivity between the two test kits could not be achieved. The low prevalence of D. immitis found in this study confirmed anecdotal evidence that prevalence of dirofilariasis is indeed low in Johor Bahru. Additionally, we speculate that dirofilariasis in dogs might be considered as an indicator of vector availability.
A study was conducted to determine the incidence of trypanosome infections in cattle in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region of northwest Ethiopia. A total of six sentinel herds were established and the cattle observed during a period of 8 consecutive months. The prevalence of seropositive cattle was high in both the tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones. The average monthly incidence of trypanosome infection, determined using molecular diagnostic tools, was 20.9% and 25.7% in the tsetse-free and the tsetse-infested zones, respectively. In the tsetse-free, Trypanosoma vivax was responsible for 90.9% of the cattle trypanosome infections. In the tsetse-infested zone, Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax contributed almost equally to the trypanosome infections in cattle. Trypanosome infection, regardless of species, resulted in anaemia as evidenced by a significant decrease in the packed cell volume of the infected animal. The outcome of this longitudinal study suggests that control of trypanosomiasis in the Amhara Region cannot be achieved by tsetse control alone. Supplemental measures to include drug therapy and biting fly control are discussed.
During a period of four consecutive years, trypanosomosis surveys were conducted in a tsetse-infested and tsetse-free area of the Amhara Region of north-west Ethiopia. In each study area randomly selected communal cattle were sampled and their blood was investigated using parasitological diagnostic methods. At the same time the population of biting flies was sampled. The monthly average prevalence of trypanosome infections in cattle did not differ significantly between study areas. In both study areas, the prevalence of trypanosome infections was highest during the long rainy season. Trypanosome infections were mainly due to Trypanosoma vivax and they significantly reduced the average packed cell volume and the body condition of the animals. The monthly prevalence of infection was correlated with the density of biting flies, such as Tabanidae and Stomoxys spp., in the preceding month suggesting an important role of mechanical transmission in the epidemiology of trypanosomosis in both areas.
An investigation into the epidemiology of Trypansoma evansi infection in crossbred dairy cattle was conducted for a period of 12 months on a dairy cattle farm in Penninsular Malaysia. The prevalence of parasitaemia was highest in lactating animals (13.4%), followed by those in the dry herd (8.8%), late pregnant animals (8.1%), early pregnant animals (4.7%), calves (0.3%) and heifers (0.2%). The prevalence of antigenaemia was highest in the lactating animals (54.7%), followed by that in dry animals (53.7%), heifers (51.1%), late pregnant animals (47.7%), early pregnant animals (46.5%) and calves (24.2%).
A study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic properties of enhanced virgin coconut oil (EVCO) and senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum) plant against strongyle nematodes in goats. Two preparations of 10% EVCO dissolved in 90% virgin coconut oil and 10% EVCO dissolved in 90% palm oil, were given orally to two groups of mixed breeds goats. The efficacy test indicated that EVCO was insufficiently active as an anthelmintic. Four concentrations of senduduk solution (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg ml(-1)) were compared with a control and albendazole in an in vitro test for larvicidal effect. There was no significant larval mortality using senduduk solution. An in vivo test of senduduk was conducted by comparing three groups of goats, namely control, levamisole and treatment groups that were given a daily oral dose of senduduk crude extract with 1g kg(-1) from Day 0 to Day 12 and 2 g kg(-1) from Day 13 to Day 30. This efficacy test with senduduk also gave negative results. The findings obtained indicated that EVCO and senduduk were ineffective as anthelmintics against caprinestrongyle nematodes at the concentrations used.
Apart from occasional reports of clinical disease affecting horses, there is no information about Trypanosoma evansi in horses in Peninsula Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted in eight states in Peninsula Malaysia to determine the active presence of T. evansi in horses. A total of 527 blood samples were obtained and examined by haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT), Giemsa-stained thin blood smear (GSS), morphometric measurements, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloning of PCR products. The results showed an overall parasitological prevalence of 0.57% (3/527, CI: 1.6-0.19%) with both HCT and GSS. Morphometric study revealed the mean total length of the trypanosomes including the free flagellum was 27.94 ± 2.63 μm. PCR successfully amplified a trypanosome specific 257 bp in 1.14% of samples (6/527, CI: 2.4-0.52%) and was confirmed by nucleotide sequences. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) for the positive cases detected by HCT was lower (23% ± 7.00) compared to the positive cases detected by PCR alone in the state of Terengganu (35% ± 4.73). In conclusion, this study showed T. evansi infection occurred in low frequency in horses in Peninsula Malaysia, and anaemia coincided with parasitaemic animals. PCR is considered as a sensitive diagnostic tool when parasitaemia is undetectable. The slight lengthier mean of parasite and anaemia may indicate a virulent strain of T. evansi circulating throughout the country. Thus, it's highly recommended to shed light on host-parasite relationship for better epidemiological understanding.
This paper presents investigation of lungworm disease outbreaks that is based on retrospective examination of cases recorded between 1994 and 2000 on a government beef cattle breeding centre in the state of Pahang, peninsular Malaysia. The breed of cattle on the centre was Nelore and the mean population over a 7-year period (from 1994 to 2000) was 1612. All animals were allowed to graze on pasture and mixed grazing was practiced on the farm. The routine de-worming programme was performed using levamisole and ivermectin from 1994 to 1998 and abamectin in 1999 and 2000 on 1 to 3-month-old calves and an annual dose given to the adult cattle. Nelore was introduced into the farm in 1991, three years before the first outbreak from Brazil where Dictyocaulus viviparus infection had been reported. No lungworm infection had been observed in the farm prior to the animal introduction. Within the 7-year period, 36 fatalities occurred and the annual mortality rate due to lungworm infection was 0.31%. The highest rate was recorded in 1997. Among the total 36 deaths, about 75% of deaths occurred in calves aged between 6 months and 12 months, 67% were males and 33% were female cattle. The highest number of deaths (19%) occurred in the month of November. In conclusion, D. viviparus infection may have been introduced into a tropical climate along with consignments of cattle from lungworm endemic areas resulting in fatal disease outbreaks for a few years following the animal's initial introduction.
A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Trypanosoma evansi infection among horses, using a total of 527 blood samples obtained from eight states in Peninsular Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors associated with T. evansi seroprevalence. The overall seroprevalence detected by card agglutination test for T. evansi (CATT/T. evansi) was 13.90% (73/527, CI: 11.2-17.1%). Female and exogenous horses showed a higher risk in association with the disease seroprevalence compared to other groups. The majority of the horse owners were not familiar with surra (85.30%). However, most of them were very cautious with the health of their animals. In conclusion, this study showed that T. evansi occurred in low frequency among horses in Peninsular Malaysia, and the good management system adopted by horse owners was probably responsible for the low T. evansi occurrence.
Based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, Toxocara malaysiensis and Toxascaris leonina, specific forward primers were designed in the ITS-1 or ITS-2 for each of the four ascaridoid species of dogs and cats. These primers were used individually together with a conserved primer in the large subunit of rDNA to amplify partial ITS-1 and/or ITS-2 of rDNA from 107 DNA samples from ascaridoids from dogs and cats in China, Australia, Malaysia, England and the Netherlands. This approach allowed their specific identification, with no amplicons being amplified from heterogeneous DNA samples, and sequencing confirmed the identity of the sequences amplified. The minimum amounts of DNA detectable using the PCR assays were 0.13-0.54ng. These PCR assays should provide useful tools for the diagnosis and molecular epidemiological investigations of toxocariasis in humans and animals.