Special Issue "Parasitic Diseases of Cattle"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Cattle".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021).

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maria Teresa Manfredi
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: ruminants; parasitic diseases; Apicomplexa; gastrointestinal nematodes; zoonoses; epidemiology
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessia L. Gazzonis
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Interests: ruminants; parasitic diseases; Apicomplexa; zoonoses; epidemiology
Prof. Dr. Michele Mortarino
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: immunology and microbiology
Dr. Luca Villa
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Interests: ruminants; parasitic diseases; Apicomplexa; neosporosis; epidemiology
Dr. Sergio Zanzani
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Interests: parasites; protozoa; Apicomplexa; Toxoplasma gondi; Neospora caninum; goat; sheep; spatial analysis; endo/ectoparasitosis; parasitic diseases; vectors; domestic carnivores; ruminants; laboratory animals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitic diseases are still a constant presence in cattle herds, both in conventional and organic systems, and knowledge of these diseases is an essential condition for implementing adequate control strategies and increasing the profitability of farms. Their epidemiology has changed over the years according to factors of both human and environmental origin, and the progress in diagnostic methods has made it possible to deepen the etiology with the identification of parasitic strains. Furthermore, in recent years, emerging parasitic diseases such as besnoitiosis have been spreading on cattle farms in Europe, leading to a reconsideration of the zoonotic risk of cattle meat consumption. The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish original research papers or reviews to update the knowledge on the current status of parasitic diseases in cattle.

Areas of interest: Parasitic diseases of dairy and beef cattle; the impact of parasites on production (meat and milk) and reproduction; zoonotic risks from cattle products; epidemiology and control of parasites in organic and conventional farming systems; molecular epidemiology of parasites in cattle; immune response to parasites.

We invite you to share your recent findings through this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Maria Teresa Manfredi
Dr. Alessia L. Gazzonis
Prof. Dr. Michele Mortarino
Dr. Luca Villa
Dr. Sergio Zanzani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cattle
  • parasites
  • helminths
  • protozoa
  • ectoparasites
  • organic farming
  • conventional farming
  • control
  • epidemiology
  • immunology

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Article
Seroprevalence of Major Pasture-Borne Parasitoses (Gastrointestinal Nematodes, Liver Flukes and Lungworms) in German Dairy Cattle Herds, Association with Management Factors and Impact on Production Parameters
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072078 - 12 Jul 2021
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
Pasture-borne parasites adversely affect bovine health and productivity worldwide. In Europe, gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Ostertagia ostertagi, the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and the lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus represent the most important parasites of dairy cattle. The present study assessed exposure towards these parasites [...] Read more.
Pasture-borne parasites adversely affect bovine health and productivity worldwide. In Europe, gastrointestinal nematodes, especially Ostertagia ostertagi, the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and the lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus represent the most important parasites of dairy cattle. The present study assessed exposure towards these parasites among 646 cattle herds in three parts of Germany during 2017–2019 via antibody detection in bulk tank milk (BTM). Overall, O. ostertagi levels indicative of production losses were detected in 41.2% (266/646; 95% confidence interval (CI): 37.4–45.1%) of BTM samples, while F. hepatica seroprevalence amounted to 14.9% (96/646; 95% CI: 12.2–17.9%). Only 2.3% (15/646; 95% CI: 1.4–3.9%) of samples were D. viviparus antibody-positive. Significantly lower O. ostertagi as well as F. hepatica seroprevalence was detected in dual-purpose breeds compared to high-performance breeds from the same region. Management factors related to parasite exposure included access to fresh grass and hay, silage quality and anthelmintic treatment. Furthermore, F. hepatica and O. ostertagi seropositivity was significantly associated with suboptimal herd-level body condition. Interestingly, the relationship between seropositivity and productivity differed between breed types. Negative impacts on milk yield were detected only in high-performance breeds, while O. ostertagi seropositivity was associated with a lower milk fat content in dual-purpose herds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Diseases of Cattle)
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Article
Prevalence of Fascioliasis and Associated Economic Losses in Cattle Slaughtered at Lira Municipality Abattoir in Northern Uganda
Animals 2021, 11(3), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030681 - 04 Mar 2021
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Abstract
Fascioliasis (liver fluke infestation) is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting cattle, other ruminant animals and humans. Fascioliasis causes large, but usually neglected, economic losses to cattle farmers and traders. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and [...] Read more.
Fascioliasis (liver fluke infestation) is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting cattle, other ruminant animals and humans. Fascioliasis causes large, but usually neglected, economic losses to cattle farmers and traders. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and associated risks for fascioliasis in slaughter cattle and estimate the financial losses due to liver condemnation at the Lira Municipal abattoir in Uganda. A total of 216 cattle were sampled during the study period. Animal breed and sex were determined by observing the phenotypic characteristics of the animals. Age was determined by assessing the eruption and wearing of permanent teeth. After slaughter, the liver was examined for presence of Fasciola spp. (liver flukes) by visual inspection, palpation, and incisions. The bile ducts and gall bladder were similarly examined for presence of mature Fasciola spp. The gross weight and amount of liver trimmed-off due to fluke infestation were determined. Of the 216 liver examined, 65.7% (n = 142) were infested with Fasciola spp. Cattle that were aged 4–5 years old at the time of slaughter had significantly greater odds (OR = 5.84; CI [2.79–12.22]) of being infested with Fasciola spp. compared to those that were younger than 3.5 years old. In contrast, cattle that had a body condition score of 3.5 or 4 had lower odds (OR= 0.42; CI [0.21–0.88] and OR = 0.22; CI [0.04–1.10]) of fascioliasis than those with a BCS of 3. Other tested variables including animal origin, breed, sex, and gross weight of the liver had no significant effect on the prevalence of fascioliasis. This study also revealed that the abattoir loses an estimated 38 million UGX annually due to condemnation of Fasciola-infested liver (one UGX= 0.00027 USD; July 2016). Our study showed that the prevalence of fascioliasis was high in Lira District, Uganda, which results in a large amount of liver being condemned and destroyed, leading to financial losses for affected farmers in the area. Therefore, there is a need to take the necessary preventive measures to control the disease and increase awareness among farmers and medical personnel in the area due to the zoonotic nature of fascioliasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Diseases of Cattle)
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Communication
Effect of Mixed Invasions of Hypoderma bovis and Ostertagia ostertagi in Cattle on Milk Yield and Contents in Polish Dairy Farms
Animals 2021, 11(2), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020464 - 09 Feb 2021
Viewed by 532
Abstract
Wide distribution of ecto- and endoparasites in cattle is a serious problem in the sustainability of a farm, due to the negative impact on animals’ health and productivity. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies against Ostertagia and [...] Read more.
Wide distribution of ecto- and endoparasites in cattle is a serious problem in the sustainability of a farm, due to the negative impact on animals’ health and productivity. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies against Ostertagia and Hypoderma in udder milk samples and the comparison of milk yield and content of the basic components of milk in ELISA-positive and ELISA-negative cows. Milk samples were collected from 148 lactating cows from 3 herds. Antibody detection was performed using specific ELISAs for Ostertagia ostertagi and Hypoderma bovis. Milk yield and content of protein, fat, and dry matter were studied in samples from each individual cow 11 times per year at 4 week intervals. The extensiveness of dual parasitic invasions in individual herds, estimated on the basis of udder milk testing with the ELISA test, varied and amounted to 3.22%, 11.36%, and 4.76% in the three studied herds, respectively. No antibodies were found in 61.2%, 22.7%, and 57.1% of the milk samples from the cows in each herd. The milk yield of ELISA-positive cows was significantly lower in comparison to the efficiency of ELISA-negative cows and amounted to 294 kg and even to 3672 kg of milk per year, per cow. No significant differences were found between the fat and protein contents of milk between ELISA-positive and -negative cows for both parasites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Diseases of Cattle)
Article
The Age-Related Cryptosporidium Species Distribution in Asymptomatic Cattle from North-Western Spain
Animals 2021, 11(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020256 - 20 Jan 2021
Viewed by 563
Abstract
An age-related distribution of Cryptosporidium species has been reported in cattle, with C. parvum being predominant in suckling calves, C. bovis and C. ryanae being predominant in post-weaned calves and C. andersoni being predominant in adults. However, variants to this pattern have recently [...] Read more.
An age-related distribution of Cryptosporidium species has been reported in cattle, with C. parvum being predominant in suckling calves, C. bovis and C. ryanae being predominant in post-weaned calves and C. andersoni being predominant in adults. However, variants to this pattern have recently been reported. Thus, fecal samples (n = 594) from asymptomatic cattle were collected in north-western Spain. Animals were classified as <1 month (G1), 1–2 months (G2), 2–12 months (G3), 12–24 months (G4) and >2 years (G5). Cryptosporidium detection and species identification were performed by SSU rRNA PCR. Individual Cryptosporidium prevalence was 16.7%; it significantly decreased with age. Cryptosporidium parvum was predominant in G1 and C. bovis was predominant in the rest of the age classes; C. bovis and C. ryanae were especially prevalent in G2 and G3. Cryptosporidium occultus was not found in suckling calves. Finally, C. andersoni and C. xiaoi were occasionally detected in G5. The presence of C. parvum in all age classes implies significant animal and public health concerns. The predominance of C. bovis in cattle older than 1 month supports the idea that the age-related pattern of Cryptosporidium species described in cattle is not fully consistent, and thus further studies are still needed to identify those factors determining the species distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Diseases of Cattle)
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