Synergistic effect of migrating Ascaris larvae and Escherichia coli in piglets

Abstract

The effect of intestinal flora on the establishment, development and pathogenicity of Ascaris suum larvae in piglets (Large White breed) was investigated. The infected piglets with Ascaris and Escherichia coli showed signs of pneumonia, cough with respiratory difficulties initially even though these moderated with time. They lost appetite and showed signs of unthriftiness with loss of weight. The packed cell volume was normal but the differential leucocyte counts of the pigs infected with Ascaris larvae and bacteria had high neutrophils, unlike the very high lymphocyte count observed in piglets with ascarids only. The piglets had generalized serous atrophy of body fat. The pericardial and perirenal fats were gelatinous. There was a firm and nodular grey and red hepatization with abscess pockets in the intermediate and anterior one third of the diaphragmatic lobes of the lungs. The liver contained greyish-white and depressed focus immediately dorsal to the area of attachment to the gall bladder with multifocal areas. There was no significant gross lesion in the control animals. Cultural and microscopic examinations of some internal organs of the infected animals showed that bacteria were carried to the lungs by the migrating Ascaris larvae. The combined synergistic effect of Ascaris larvae and E. coli was also investigated and it was concluded that the two agents (A. suum larvae and E. coli) worked together synergistically.

Serological examination of fattening pigs reveals associations between Ascaris suum, lung pathogens and technical performance parameters

“…Increased susceptibility to bacterial infections including Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. and reduced bacterial clearing from the lung has previously been associated with ascariasis (Adedeji et al, 1989;Curtis et al, 1987;Smith et al, 2011;Tjornehoj et al, 1992). On the other hand, A. suum infection also reduces the efficacy of the immune response after vaccination (Steenhard et al, 2009;Urban et al, 2007).…”

Investigation of the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli (Shrank 1788) as a potential vector for Salmonella enterica dissemination in poultry

“…Bottjer et al (1978) reported that the nematode parasite Nematospiroides dubius third stage larvae act as vector for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in the infection of mice. Nalin and McLaughlin (1976) demonstrated colonisation of Ascaris lumbricoides by Vibrio cholerae, and Adedeji et al (1989) reported a synergistic eect of Ascaris larvae and E. coli in piglets.…”

The effect of concurrent infections with Pasteurella multocida and Ascaridia galli on free range chickens

“…Studies on the interactions between A. galli and Escherichia coli in chickens have indicated that subclinical A. galli infections, may have an immunosuppressive effect, allowing E. coli to establish itself (Permin et al, 2002). Likewise, a synergistic effect of migrating Ascaris suum larvae and E. coli was observed in piglets (Adedeji et al, 1989) and of salmonellosis on subsequent infections with A. suum in adult swine (Wade and Gaafar, 1981). A similar effect may exist for P. multocida infections in A. galli infected¯ocks.…”