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Main objective of the present nationwide study was to assess the impact of the ESCCAP guideline for the control of worm infections in dogs and cats 8-10 years after its first publication in Germany. A secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of canine and feline cardiopulmonary nematodes and intestinal protozoa. Faecal samples of 53,693 dogs and 26,491 cats in 2004-2006 as well as of 129,578 dogs and 45,709 cats in 2015-2017 routinely submitted by veterinarians to a private veterinary laboratory were examined using appropriate parasitological methods. In dogs, the prevalence of Toxocara and taeniid egg shedding was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.8 % and 0.16 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.6 % and 0.27 %, respectively). The prevalence of hookworm and Capillaria eggs was higher in the second study period (2.3 % and 0.77 %, respectively) than in the first (1.3 % and 0.6 %, respectively). For Toxascaris leonina (0.55-0.6 %) and Trichuris (0.8-0.9 %), the difference was not significant between the study periods. Dogs shed more often Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae in the second study (3.1 %) than in the first (1.0 %), whereas the prevalence of Crenosoma vulpis did not change significantly (2.2-2.6 %). Cystoisospora canis and C. ohioensis-like infections were less detected in the second study period (1.0 % and 2.1 %, respectively) than in the first (1.8 % and 2.7 %, respectively). Neospora-like oocysts and Sarcocystis sporocysts were more prevalent in the second study period (0.19 % and 0.13 %, respectively) than in the first (0.13 % and 0.06 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was lower in the second study period (18.9 % and 6.7 %, respectively) than in the first (22.8 % and 10.0 %, respectively). In cats, the prevalence of egg shedding of T. cati, Capillaria and taeniids was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.5 %, 0.25 % and 0.1 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.8 %, 0.54 % and 0.22 %, respectively). No difference was recorded for hookworms (0.12-0.13 %) and Ts. leonina (0.04-0.05 %). Aelurostrongylus-like larvae were detected more often in the second study period (6.5 %) than in the first (2.6 %). Infections with Cystoisospora felis, C. rivolta, Toxoplasma-like coccids and Sarcocystis were less prevalent in the second study period (1.9 %, 0.7 %, 0.24 % and 0.02 %, respectively) than in the first (2.7 %, 1.1 %, 0.36 % and 0.1 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was significantly lower in the second study period (10.6 % and 4.8 %, respectively) than in the first (15.4 % and 8.3 %, respectively). Although these results indicate a decline of the occurrence of most canine and feline intestinal parasites in Germany over the years, a transmission risk of zoonotic parasites remains. Therefore, the control of helminth infections in domestic dogs and cats continues to be a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of non-GMO Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) with that of a halofuginone treatment against Cryptosporidium parvum infection in pre-weaned calves on a commercial dairy farm. A total of 123 neonatal female calves, housed in individual hutches, were enrolled sequentially based on date of birth in 41 blocks of 3 animals each. Calves within each block were allocated to one of 3 treatments: remaining untreated, fed with SCFP (Diamond V SmartCare ® at 1 g/d in milk and NutriTek ® at 5 g/d in starter grain) for the first 63 days of life, or treated with halofuginone (0.1 mg/kg/d) for the first 7 days of life. Fecal samples collected on days 4-21 post-partum were examined for both Cryptosporidium oocysts and coproantigen. The presence and intensity of diarrhea were monitored by scoring daily for the first 4 weeks of life. Calves were weighed at 0, 21, 42 and 63 days of age. Almost all calves were Cryptosporidium-positive at least once during the study. Halofuginone significantly reduced the number of Cryptosporidium-positive fecal samples as compared to the two other groups. Based on the coproantigen scores, both halofuginone and SCFP feeding significantly reduced the intensity of Cryptosporidium infection as compared to the untreated group. Diarrhea was recorded in almost all calves at least once. Neither the proportion of diarrheic calves nor the intensity and duration of diarrhea differed among the 3 treatment groups significantly. The mean daily weight gain during the first 3 weeks of life was significantly lower in halofuginone treated calves than in both other groups; however, at the end of the study period the total weight gain did not significantly differ among the 3 treatment groups. In conclusion, the clinical results and weight gains of pre-weaning supplementation with the SCFP were neither better nor worse than the 7-day halofuginone treatment suggesting that the SCFP feeding may be from the clinical point of view a natural alternative measure, instead of halofuginone treatment, in bovine cryptosporidiosis., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

There is considerable confusion concerning validity of Eimeria species in equids, and endogenous developmental stages and pathogenicity of equid Eimeria. This paper summarizes worldwide information on history, structure, life cycle, pathogenicity, prevalence, epidemiology, and diagnosis of Eimeria infections in equids. The following conclusions were drawn. Although three species of Eimeria; E. solipedum, E. uninugulata, and E. leuckarti were named from horses, only E. leuckarti is a valid species infecting equids, including horses, donkeys and zebra. We consider E. solipedum, E. uninugulata and Isospora sp.as spurious/contaminants with coccidia from other hosts. E. leuckarti oocysts are distinctive, dark brown and up to 94 μm long and up to 79 μm wide. Its gametogonic stages and oocysts are present in the lamina propria of small intestines. In equids naturally infected with E. leuckarti, only sexual stages have been confirmed. In most of the approximately 50 cases of histologically diagnosed cases of E. leuckarti infection, this infection was considered coincidental or of no clinical relevance. However, in some cases E. leuckarti was considered pathogenic, causing diarrhea and enteritis. The prepatent period is long, 30-37 days or more in experimentally infected equids. Natural infections have been found in 4 week-old foals, indicating that foals can become infected on the day of birth. The number of oocysts excreted is not correlated with clinical signs., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Palearctic species of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), in particular of the Obsoletus and Pulicaris complexes, were identified as putative vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) on ruminant farms during the epizootic in Germany from 2006 to 2009. BTV may cause severe morbidity and mortality in ruminants and sporadically in South American camelids (SAC). However, the fauna of Culicoides spp. on SAC farms has not been investigated. Therefore, the ceratopogonid fauna was monitored on three farms with BTV-seropositive SAC in Germany. Black-light traps were set up on pastures and in stables from summer 2008 to autumn 2009. Additionally, ceratopogonids were caught in emergence traps mounted on llama dung and dung-free pasture from spring to autumn 2009. After morphological identification, selected Culicoides samples were analysed for BTV-RNA by real-time RT-PCR. The effects of the variables 'location', 'temperature' and 'humidity' on the number of Culicoides caught in black-light traps were modelled using multivariable Poisson regression. In total, 26 species of Culicoides and six other genera of biting midges were identified. The most abundant Culicoides spp. collected both outdoors and indoors with black-light traps belonged to the Obsoletus (77.4%) and Pulicaris (16.0%) complexes. The number of Culicoides peaked in summer, while no biting midges were caught during the winter months. Daily collections of Culicoides were mainly influenced by the location and depended on the interaction of temperature and humidity. In the emergence traps, species of the Obsoletus complex predominated the collections. In summary, the absence of BTV-RNA in any of the analysed Culicoides midges and in the BTV-seropositive SAC on the three farms together with the differences in the pathogenesis of BTV-8 in SAC compared to ruminants suggests a negligible role of SAC in the spread of the virus. Although SAC farms may provide similar suitable habitats for putative Culicoides vectors than ruminant farms, the results suggest that geographic and meteorological factors had a stronger influence on Culicoides abundance than the animal species., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A cross-sectional survey was performed to obtain current data on the gastrointestinal myiasis of horses in the provinces of Kostanay, Akmola and Karagandy, northern and central Kazakhstan. The stomach, small intestine and rectum of 148 slaughter horses were examined for Gasterophilus spp. larvae during a 26-month study period. All horses were infected with 2nd and 3rd stage larvae (mean intensity: 803±350), and 22% of them harboured >1000 Gasterophilus spp. larvae each. Four species were identified: G. intestinalis (prevalence: 100%; mean intensity: 361±240 larvae), G. haemorrhoidalis (100%; 353±191), G. nasalis (100%; 73±36) and G. pecorum (91.2%; 18±10). Horses aged<2 years were higher infected with Gasterophilus larvae than 2-4 years old animals. Both the prevalence and extremely high intensity of Gasterophilus infections of horses in these Kazakh regions suggest respective control measurements to improve the health and performance of the animals and to increase the economic income of horse owners., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The nematode genus Baylisascaris (order Ascaridida, superfamily Ascaridoidea) contains nine relatively host-specific, parasite species of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, carnivorous marsupials or rodents. They have a facultative heteroxenous life cycle, at least under experimental conditions. Eggs passed in faeces embryonate in the environment and the second-stage larva infective for both definitive and intermediate hosts develops. In intermediate hosts larvae migrate extensively through tissues, where they grow and moult to the third-stage, causing extensive damage. All Baylisascaris spp. are considered a potential cause of visceral, ocular and/or neural larval migrans in mammals including humans and in birds. This paper summarises our current knowledge on the prevalence, biology, pathogenicity and zoonotic significance of three Baylisascaris species: B. transfuga, B. schroederi and B. procyonis which have as definitive hosts bears, giant pandas and raccoons (occasionally dogs), respectively., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Faecal samples of 4151 dogs from Denmark, 958 dogs from Germany and 231 cats from Germany with clinical signs were examined for lungworm larvae using the Baermann funnel technique between 2003 and 2007. In total, 3.6% of Danish and German dogs shed lungworm larvae. In Denmark, patent infections of dogs with Angiostrongylus vasorum were more prevalent (2.2%) than those with Crenosoma vulpis (1.4%). In Denmark, the majority of A. vasorum- (98%) and C. vulpis-infected (80%) dogs originated from Northern Zealand. The frequency of A. vasorum and C. vulpis infections in Danish dogs obviously decreased from 2003 to 2006. In Germany, canine faecal samples were found more frequently positive for C. vulpis than for A. vasorum larvae (2.4% and 1.2%, respectively). Lungworm-infected dogs originated mainly from southern and western Germany. Larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were detected in 5.6% of cats from Germany. Overall, a distinct seasonal pattern in the detection of infected dogs was apparent for A. vasorum in Denmark and C. vulpis in Germany. The relatively high number of lungworm-infected dogs and cats indicate that these parasitic diseases should be considered in differential diagnosis of cases of treatment-resistant respiratory/cardiopulmonary distress.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus infections in domestic dogs and cats from Germany and other European countries. Faecal samples of 21,588 dogs and 10,650 cats routinely submitted to a private veterinary laboratory between June 2004 and June 2005 were examined using the ZnSO(4)-NaCl flotation method. Taeniid eggs were detected in 54 (0.25%) and 37 (0.34%) of the canine and feline faecal samples, respectively. Taeniid eggs were separated and subjected to a DNA preparation and a modified two-step PCR for the detection of Echinococcus spp. based on mitochondrial 12S rRNA genes. PCR products from Echinococcus-negative but cestode-positive reactions were cloned and sequenced to determine the Taenia species. E. multilocularis DNA was specifically amplified in 43 (0.24%) and 25 (0.23%) of the samples from dogs and cats, respectively. E. granulosus DNA was not detected in any sample, while, E. multilocularis-positive samples were detected in dogs from Germany only, those of cats originated from Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands. The prevalence of E. multilocularis egg-positive canine samples was significantly higher in southern (0.35%) than in northern Germany (0.13%). In contrast, no significant regional difference was observed in cats from Germany. Taeniid eggs from Echinococcus-negative samples and from a few samples with macroscopically detected Taenia sp. proglottids were identified as eggs of T. crassiceps (n=8), T. martis, T. serialis, T. polyacantha, T. taeniaeformis and T. pisiformis in dogs (n=1 of each) and T. taeniaeformis (n=11) in cats. The spectrum of cestodes detected in domestic dogs and cats indicate the consumption of small rodents as infection source. The high proportion of E. multilocularis-positive samples, suggest domestic dogs and cats as a possible source of E. multilocularis infection for humans.

The study was undertaken to evaluate adverse effects of larvicidal treatment in horses naturally infected with cyathostomins. Out of 24 ponies kept on pasture, four animals were housed in September and anthelmintically cured to serve as worm-free controls (group C-0). The others were housed in December. Eight animals each were treated 8 weeks later with 5 x 7.5mg/kg fenbendazole (FBZ) or 1 x 0.4 mg/kg moxidectin (MOX). Four animals remained untreated (group C-i). Two, 4, 6 and 14 days after the end of treatment two animals of each of the treated groups were necropsied together with group C-0 and C-i animals. Infected animals before treatment showed weight loss, eosinophilia, increased plasma protein and globulin contents. Treatment was followed by weight gain and temporal plasma protein and globulin increase. Proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood did not differ between the groups before treatment but dropped significantly temporally after FBZ treatment. Group C-0 was worm-free at necropsy. Group C-i animals contained variable numbers of luminal and tissue cyathostomins. Histological sections showed larval stages in the lamina propria und submucosa surrounded by macrophages. Either treatment was effective against luminal parasites and reduced the number of larvae in the bowel wall beginning 4-6 days after FBZ and 6-14 days after MOX treatment. Histologically, as a first reaction after FBZ application T lymphocytes accumulated around morphologically intact L4 in the submucosa. Subsequently T lymphocytes associated with eosinophils infiltrated the submucosa. Parasites became enclosed by granulomas with eosinophils adhering to and invading the larvae which started to disintegrate on day 4. Later on, particularly on day 14 inflammation extended into the mucosa and was frequently associated with ulcerations. Third stage larvae in general and L4 in the lamina propria, however, seemed not to be affected until day 14 and even then, parasites did usually not generate extensive inflammation. After MOX treatment severe morphologically detectable alterations of tissue larvae could not be observed earlier than day 14. Different from FBZ treatment, larvae disintegrated and were obviously resorbed without causing severe inflammation in the gut wall. In conclusion treatment with either drug was efficacious against tissue larvae of cyathostomins but there may be different clinical consequences: in contrast to MOX effects, killing of larvae due to FBZ was associated with severe tissue damage, which clinically may correspond to reactions caused by synchronous mass emergence of fourth stage larvae, i.e., may mimic larval cyathostominosis.

Prevalences and intensities of excretion of faecal stages of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Eimeria spp., Strongyloides papillosus and strongyles were determined in a German upland area in German Angus (GA) and German Simmental (GS) suckler of beef cattle herds covering two winter housing periods and the grazing season between them. Influences of the housing systems applied (maintenance on deep litter with (DL+) and without run-out (DL--), on slatted floor (SF) or by winter run-out yarding (WO)), breed differences and genetic influences by the sire were determined by statistical analyses; levels of IgG antibodies to E. bovis antigen were measured by ELISA. G. duodenalis was observed with a maximum prevalence of 38% in 4 weeks old calves, a cumulative incidence of 58% 9 weeks after birth and with generally low intensities. C. parvum infections were relatively rare with cumulative incidences of 20--25% in week 5 after birth. Highest prevalences were associated with housing system DL-- and a long-lasting calving period. Cumulative incidence of Eimeria spp. was almost 100%. E. bovis predominated by far followed by E. ellipsoidalis/zuernii. Mean maximum intensity of 1000 OpG occurred in week 7 after birth. Up to an age of the calves of 7 weeks >75% of all oocysts belonged to E. bovis. Prevalences and excretion intensities were lowest under the housing conditions SF and WO. Maternal antibodies in calves to E. bovis antigen were directly and inversely correlated with mean OpG values in GA and GS calves, respectively. S. papillosus was common with a cumulative incidence of 53% 9 weeks after birth and occurred independent of the housing system. Mean strongyle egg prevalence was 50% with 50--100 EpG by means throughout the grazing season. Egg excretion intensity in the early months of grazings was correlated with the age of the calves at turnout to pasture. Under the conditions of housing system DL-- GA calves could better control S. papillosus infections than GS calves whereas the latter were generally more effective in controlling the protozoa. Results of ANCOVA suggest significant paternal influences on S. papillosus infections in both breeds and on the protozoal infections in GA calves. The former could be disclosed independent of the housing system whereas environmental factors played an important role in the latter cases.

Faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion, body weights, humoral antibodies against E. ovinoidalis sporozoite antigen and related heritabilities were determined in housed Merinoland sheep lambs throughout a period of 100 days after birth in Germany. Altogether 10-11 Eimeria spp. were found. Cumulative incidences of E. ovinoidalis and E. weybridgensis/crandallis increased rapidly resulting in almost 100% incidence in 8 weeks old lambs. In the other species, the cumulative incidence increased more continuously. Except for E. granulosa oocysts of all species had been excreted at last once until day 30. By far the highest oocyst counts (OpG) were observed with E. ovinoidalis, followed by E. weybridgensis/crandallis. High counts were limited to the period of 5-8 weeks after birth. In the other Eimeria species oocyst counts persisted at comparatively low levels until the end of the observation period although their proportion of the total counts increased with age of the lambs. Time courses of oocyst excretion suggest an early onset of effective immunity to the major Eimeria spp., which differed for the minor species. Mean and maximum oocyst counts and body weights of the lambs were inversely correlated suggesting negative effects of the infection on the lamb's performance. High mean antibody levels on day 7 after birth dropped until day 40 and increased subsequently again. There were no indications that maternal antibodies were protective. Antibody levels on day 40 after birth were positively correlated with oocyst counts in the faeces whereas those determined on day 80 were independent of infection parameters. Heritabilities of log(10)OpG were not significantly different from 0 up to an age of 60 days. Later estimated values were between 0.54 and 0.79 suggesting that immune protective effects rather than innate effects determining disease susceptibility are under genetic influence.