Wild ruminants as a potential risk factor for transmission of drug resistance in the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus

Megyesi, Štefánia Laca; Königová, Alžbeta; Babják, Michal; Molnár, Ladislav; Rajský, M.; Szestáková, Edina; Major, Péter; Soroka, Jaroslav; Dolinská, Michaela Urda; Komáromyová, Michaela; Várady, Marián

doi:10.1007/s10344-019-1351-x

Cited by 17 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Haemonchus contortus contributed to the higher richness of abomasal nematodes in roe deer from hunting grounds where contact with livestock was possible. The transmission of H. contortus between roe deer and small domestic ruminants has previously been discussed ( 65 ). Co-infections with H. contortus and A. sidemi occur ( 24 , 25 ), but only a few H. contortus individuals were detected in reported cases ( 8 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-native Nematode Ashworthius sidemi Currently Dominates the Abomasal Parasite Community of Cervid Hosts in the Czech Republic

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ashworthius sidemi is an abomasal nematode typical for Asiatic cervids such as sambar (Rusa unicolor) or sika deer (Cervus nippon). This non-native parasite was introduced into Europe via sika deer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The current dynamic spread of this parasite amongst autochthonous wild cervids occurs independently of human activities, and A. sidemi has a negative impact on the health of wild ruminants and may pose a threat to the conservation of endangered wild ungulates and to livestock. This invasive parasite has been previously detected in the Czech Republic, but more accurate information on A. sidemi is required. Only limited information is generally available on the factors influencing the spread of abomasal nematodes in wild ruminants, so more information is necessary for planning effective strategies of parasite control. We therefore conducted a survey on the abomasal nematodes in cervids in both game reserves and hunting grounds across the Czech Republic, taking into account the hosts (species, age, sex) and environmental factors (monthly average temperature). The abomasa of 104 animals belonging to five cervid species originating from various locations of the country were collected. Data on host (species, sex, and age group) and the monthly average temperature in the region were obtained for each animal. The parasitological analyses indicated that 92% of the abomasa were infected by nematodes. Ashworthius sidemi was the most prevalent (72%) and abundant (80% of the total recovered individuals) nematode species and was detected in all cervid species except white-tailed deer. The intensity of A. sidemi was highest in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), but A. sidemi abundance did not depend substantially on the host or environmental factors. In contrast, the abundance of nematodes from the subfamily Ostertagiinae was influenced by the host species and temperature. Parasitic load was significantly higher in roe deer and during the warmer periods of the survey. We also detected another non-native nematode species, Spiculopteragia houdemeri. The results of our study suggest that the non-native nematode A. sidemi is now widespread amongst cervid hosts in the Czech Republic, probably due to the high sensitivity of autochthonous cervids to A. sidemi infections as well as adaptation of this parasite to the current climatic conditions of this country.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-native Nematode Ashworthius sidemi Currently Dominates the Abomasal Parasite Community of Cervid Hosts in the Czech Republic

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, studies revealing the prevalence of H. contortus resistant to anthelmintic drugs in roe deer and other wild deer species, show that the exchange of parasite from domestic to wild deer naturally occurred (Chintoan-Uta et al ., 2014; Nagy et al ., 2017). This was recently demonstrated experimentally for H. contortus that can be acquired by roe deer when grazing a pasture previously used by infested sheep (Megyesi et al ., 2020). Based on a review of helminth occurrence in ruminants in Austria, Winter et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between the excretion of eggs of parasitic helminths in roe deer and local livestock density

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Because of their continuing expansion, wildlife ruminant species that prosper in rural landscapes may be increasingly affected by and/or contribute to the circulation of certain generalist pathogens also infecting domestic ruminants, when they share common spaces or resources. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that parasitism with gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of wild roe deer inhabiting different rural landscapes is correlated with livestock density. We used faecal egg counts of GINs and spatial data of 74 GPS-collared roe deer, inhabiting various landscapes from closed forests to open fields, together with weekly records of livestock abundances on pasture. We tested whether the excretion of GIN eggs in roe deer was influenced by the density of livestock in their home range over the grazing season. Our results showed that all of the roe deer home ranges, except four, contained pastures occupied by livestock. Excretion of GIN eggs occurred in 77% of the roe deer. The excretion of GIN eggs in roe deer tended to increase with livestock density in their home range. This result suggests, but does not prove, a higher risk of ingesting GIN larvae originating from livestock dung. In the context of increasing overlap between roe deer and livestock ranges, the exchange of pathogens between both hosts is plausible, although species identity of the parasites present was not determined. Assessing which GIN species are shared between wild and domestic ruminants, and how this may affect the health of both hosts, is a central question for future research in the context of interspecific pathogen circulation.

show abstract

“…Improved diagnostics in wildlife ruminants, alpacas and imported small ruminants will help control the spread of AR in this region. Wild ruminants act as reservoirs for some GIN species (Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus) that carry AR mutations as well as susceptible genotypes, and are a potential risk factor for transmission of AR [58][59][60]. This is certainly something that should be investigated in Nordic-Baltic conditions with the region's large populations of cervids and their transboundary migrations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants in the Nordic-Baltic region

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants result in production losses, and consequently economic losses, and are an animal welfare problem in most countries in the Nordic-Baltic region. Intensive use of anthelmintics to control helminth infections has led to anthelmintic resistance (AR), which has become a major issue in many European countries. Several studies have been performed in countries in the Nordic-Baltic region (e.g. Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Lithuania) showing increasing/emerging levels of AR. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the problem of AR on sheep and goat farms in the Nordic-Baltic region. This region has a limited number of registered anthelmintics. However, researchers in this area have discovered some surprising findings, such as ivermectin (IVM) resistance on a farm that had never used IVM. In Sweden there is evidence of macrocyclic lactone (ML)-resistant Haemonchus contortus being introduced with sheep imported from the Netherlands. As elsewhere in the world, the livestock trade appears to be contributing to the spread of AR in the region and isolated cases of multidrug-resistant cases have also been reported. This is surprising given that the frequency of treatments here is much lower than in other countries where sheep production is economically more important. The prevailing nematodes are Haemonchus, Teledorsagia and Trichostrongylus, while on some farms Haemonchus is dominant and clinical haemonchosis has increasingly been observed in recent decades. The reasons for this are unclear, but are probably related to this parasite’s propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance and a general lack of awareness of the problem, possibly in combination with global warming and the increased livestock trade within the EU. In addition, domestic interactions through contacts with wildlife ruminants, alpacas may also be a contributing factor for transmission of AR.

show abstract

Wild ruminants as a potential risk factor for transmission of drug resistance in the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus

Cited by 17 publications

References 28 publications

Non-native Nematode Ashworthius sidemi Currently Dominates the Abomasal Parasite Community of Cervid Hosts in the Czech Republic

Non-native Nematode Ashworthius sidemi Currently Dominates the Abomasal Parasite Community of Cervid Hosts in the Czech Republic

Relationship between the excretion of eggs of parasitic helminths in roe deer and local livestock density

Anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants in the Nordic-Baltic region

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About