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Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin...
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Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2025) | Viewed by 7319

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pedro Mendoza de Gives

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico
Interests: ecto-parasites; endo-parasites; control strategies; sustainability; ruminants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

From the point of view of biodiversity, Latin America (LA) is a privileged region, since it contains a large variety of plants, animals, and forms of life. It is estimated that more than 40% of the world's biodiversity is situated in this area. This region accounts for around sixty percent of global terrestrial life, and diverse freshwater and marine species can be found within this region. The bio-diversity in this region where organisms share the same habitats trying to survive in the face of adverse biotic and abiotic conditions promotes the establishment of natural regulating mechanisms such as parasitism. Cattle and small ruminants are continuously exposed to external parasites, i.e., ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus), horn flies (Haematobia irritans) and stable flies(Stomoxis calcitrans), and also to internal parasitosis, including gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes, liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and protozoa, i.e., Eimeria spp. These parasitosis are responsible for important economic loses affecting the livestock industry. The problem caused by parasites to animals worsens by the lack of efficacy of anti-parasitic chemical drugs due to the development of anti-parasitic resistance (APR). The effects and consequences of parasitic diseases together with other infectious diseases on animal health and the economy of farmers demotivate them and sometimes, producers abandon their livestock activity. The present Special Issue displays research studies developed in the LA region that contribute to understanding the problem of ecto and endo parasites in cattle and small ruminants from an epidemiological perspective, including the problem of APR and sustainable methods of control and prevention of the main parasitic diseases affecting ruminants in LA.    

Topics for submissions

  • Epidemiology of ecto and endo parasitic diseases;
  • Resistance to anthelmintic chemical drugs;
  • Resistance to ixodicides;
  • Plant and plant metabolites against ecto and endo parasites;
  • Biological control of ecto and endo parasites;
  • Other sustainable alternative methods of control of ecto and endo parasitic diseases

Dr. Pedro Mendoza de Gives
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parasitic diseases
  • epidemiology
  • antiparasitic resistance
  • alternative methods of control
  • livestock
  • small ruminants

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
Outbreak of Trypanosoma vivax in Dairy Cows: Hematologic, Immunological and Antioxidant Responses Before and After Treatment with Isometamidium Chloride
by Alexandro Fritzen, Maksuel Gatto de Vitt, Guilherme Luiz Deolindo, Mateus Henrique Signor, Nathalia Gemelli Correa, Brenda Guedes Ribeiro, Julia Marques, Gabriella Bassi das Neves, Luiz Claudio Miletti and Aleksandro Schafer da Silva
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020143 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 882
Abstract
Trypanosoma vivax infection is an emerging condition that causes damage and mortality among cattle and is transmitted by mechanical vectors or contaminated fomites. This disease has been spreading in southern Brazil, causing anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, abortion, and infertility; however, its behavior and [...] Read more.
Trypanosoma vivax infection is an emerging condition that causes damage and mortality among cattle and is transmitted by mechanical vectors or contaminated fomites. This disease has been spreading in southern Brazil, causing anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, abortion, and infertility; however, its behavior and host–parasite relationships are not yet fully understood. To clarify this issue, animals that presented clinical signs were subjected to an immunochromatographic screening test. An indirect immunofluorescence test was then performed on samples collected before treatment (the gold standard test), which showed that in the herd of 20 cows, we had 14 seropositive for T. vivax. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment to study the effects of the disease and treatment, with the cows divided into two groups: infected and uninfected. Cows were evaluated for hematologic, biochemical, and antioxidant responses, comparing them with uninfected and infected animals, as well as pre- and post-treatment (isometamidium chloride—1 mg/kg body weight [BW]). There was no difference (p > 0.05) between groups in milk production and feed intake; however, ten days after treatment, there was an increase of 1.72 kg of milk in cows diagnosed as infected with T. vivax. Seropositive cows had lower erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrit, platelet counts, and lymphocyte and granulocyte counts. In seropositive cows, the higher total protein concentration is due to increased globulins, which the protein profile by electrophoresis showed to be related to higher levels of immunoglobulins (IgA and other heavy-chain immunoglobulins), ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, ferritin, C-reactive protein; associated with lower transferrin levels. The activity of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, cholinesterases, and creatine kinase were compared in seronegative and seropositive cows for T. vivax. Lower serum calcium levels were observed in seropositive cows. Cows diagnosed with trypanosomosis presented high levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, nitrite/nitrate activity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. The enzymes catalase and glutathione S-transferase presented lower activity in the blood of seropositive cows compared to the control on the day of diagnosis, which was no longer observed ten days after treatment. The animals exhibited hypogalactia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and acute phase response accompanied by liver and muscle tissue damage and oxidative stress, demonstrating the effect of T. vivax infection in naturally infected Jersey cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America)
11 pages, 6192 KiB  
Article
In Situ Localization of Staphylococcus shinii and Staphylococcus succinus in Infected Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks: Implications for Biocontrol Strategies
by Cesar A. Arreguin-Perez, Raquel Cossio-Bayugar, Hugo Aguilar-Diaz and Estefan Miranda-Miranda
Pathogens 2024, 13(12), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13121025 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus is a blood-sucking parasite that causes heavy infestations on cattle and is a vector for severe tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, and poses a significant threat to the cattle industry. Cattle ticks show increasing acaricide resistance, which creates an [...] Read more.
Rhipicephalus microplus is a blood-sucking parasite that causes heavy infestations on cattle and is a vector for severe tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, and poses a significant threat to the cattle industry. Cattle ticks show increasing acaricide resistance, which creates an additional problem concerning the inefficient chemical control of tick populations in cattle-grazing areas, necessitating the exploration of alternative tick biocontrol methods. Our study aimed to demonstrate the acaropathogenic efficacy of two bacterial species during experimental infections on R. microplus. Our experimental data confirmed that S. shinii and S. succinus exhibited significant acaropathogenic properties against R. microplus, as demonstrated by the tracking of fluorescent-labeled bacteria within the engorged-tick body. Our experiments revealed that both bacterial species could infect the hemolymph, salivary glands, and vestibular vagina of the tick, inducing histological changes in the affected organs that may impair feeding as well as reproductive capabilities. Gené’s organ infection was detected only in S. succinus. Our findings offer valuable insights for developing biocontrol strategies to manage Rhipicephalus microplus populations effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America)
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13 pages, 1262 KiB  
Article
Excreted/Secreted 15-kDa Proteins and Serine Protease Peptides from Haemonchus contortus Act as Immune-Response Enhancers in Lambs
by René Camas-Pereyra, Génesis Andrea Bautista-García, Gustavo Pérez-Anzúrez, Zaira Carolina Duran-Cortes, David Emanuel Reyes-Guerrero, Jocelyn Maza-Lopez, Agustín Olmedo-Juárez and María Eugenia López-Arellano
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070604 - 22 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1717
Abstract
This study assessed the immunoprotective effect in lambs of a native excreted/secreted 15-kDa protein and two synthesised S28 peptides derived from the infective transitory larvae (xL3) and adult stages (AS) of Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-two Pelibuey lambs were divided into negative [...] Read more.
This study assessed the immunoprotective effect in lambs of a native excreted/secreted 15-kDa protein and two synthesised S28 peptides derived from the infective transitory larvae (xL3) and adult stages (AS) of Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-two Pelibuey lambs were divided into negative and positive control groups, as well as immunised lamb groups, with 100 µg of the 15-kDa native protein (15kDaNP) and S28 peptides (S28P). The eggs per gram (EPG) and haematocrit were measured, and AS were counted and morphologically measured. To assess the immunoprotection in lambs, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and relative expression analyses of immune cytokines were performed using serum and abomasal samples. Our results showed a 72.28% reduction in adult worms (AW) in the 15kDaNP-immunised group, achieving a high clinical response with 41% haematocrit and low EPG values (436 ± 661). Conversely, the S28P group achieved the highest IgG levels (2.125 ± 0.880 OD), with AW exhibiting the greatest body length (p > 0.05) and upregulation of the IL5 and FCεR1A genes associated with nematode control. The 15kDaNP group showed increased expression of genes related to nematode control and anti-inflammatory responses, including IL4, IL5, IL6, and IL13 (p < 0.05). The S28P and 15kDaNP should be explored as potential vaccines against sheep haemonchosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America)
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12 pages, 830 KiB  
Article
Understanding Artemisia cina Ethyl Acetate Extract’s Anthelmintic Effect on Haemonchus contortus Eggs and L3 Larvae: The Synergism of Peruvin Binary Mixtures
by Luis David Arango-De-la Pava, Manasés González-Cortazar, Alejandro Zamilpa, Jorge Alfredo Cuéllar-Ordaz, Héctor Alejandro de la Cruz-Cruz, Rosa Isabel Higuera-Piedrahita and Raquel López-Arellano
Pathogens 2024, 13(6), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060509 - 16 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1505
Abstract
Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeding parasite in grazing sheep, causes economic losses. Drug resistance necessitates exploring plant-based anthelmintics like Artemisia cina (Asteraceae). The plant, particularly its ethyl acetate extract, shows anthelmintic activity against H. contortus. However, there is limited information on pharmacodynamic [...] Read more.
Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeding parasite in grazing sheep, causes economic losses. Drug resistance necessitates exploring plant-based anthelmintics like Artemisia cina (Asteraceae). The plant, particularly its ethyl acetate extract, shows anthelmintic activity against H. contortus. However, there is limited information on pharmacodynamic interactions in ethyl acetate compounds. The study aims to identify pharmacodynamic interactions in the ethyl acetate extract of A. cina with anthelmintic effects on H. contortus eggs and L3 larvae using binary mixtures. Bioactive compounds were isolated via chromatography and identified using spectroscopic techniques. Pharmacodynamic interactions were assessed through binary mixtures with a main compound. Four bioactive compounds were identified: 1-nonacosanol, hentriacontane, peruvin, and cinic acid. Binary mixtures, with peruvin as the main compound, were performed. Peruvin/1-nonacosanol-hentriacontane and peruvin/cinic acid mixtures demonstrated 1.42-fold and 4.87-fold increased lethal effects in H. contortus L3 infective larvae, respectively, at a 0.50LC25/0.50LC25 concentration. In this work, we determined the synergism between bioactive compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of A. cina and identified unreported compounds for the specie. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America)
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18 pages, 4633 KiB  
Article
Assessing the In Vitro Individual and Combined Effect of Arthrobotrys oligospora and A. musiformis (Orbiliales) Liquid Culture Filtrates against Infective Larvae of the Sheep Blood-Feeding Nematode Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae)
by Antonio Colinas-Picazo, Pedro Mendoza-de Gives, Gustavo Pérez-Anzúrez, Enrique Gutiérrez-Medina, Génesis Andrea Bautista-García, Edgar Jesús Delgado-Núñez and Agustín Olmedo-Juárez
Pathogens 2024, 13(6), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060498 - 11 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1325
Abstract
Background: Arthrobotrys species are nematophagous fungi that secrete extracellular nematocidal products (ECP). The individual and combined effects of ECP from Arthrobotrys oligospora (Ao) and A. musiformis (Am) growth in liquid media against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) were assessed. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Arthrobotrys species are nematophagous fungi that secrete extracellular nematocidal products (ECP). The individual and combined effects of ECP from Arthrobotrys oligospora (Ao) and A. musiformis (Am) growth in liquid media against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) were assessed. Methods: The isolation, morphological (MI) and molecular identification (Mol-I), assessment of nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal liquid culture filtrates (LCF) in two liquid media alone and in combination and the myco-compound profile identification (MCP) were performed. Results: The MI suggested that the fungi corresponded to the species Ao and Am. This result was confirmed by PCR analysis followed by sequencing, alignment and a phylogenetic analysis. Likewise, the highest Hc mortalities were 91.4% with individual LCF of Am and 86.2% with those of Ao at the highest concentration (100 mg/mL) in Czapek-Dox Broth. The combination of both LCF resulted in a similarly high larval mortality with no statistical differences in relation to individual activity (p > 0.05). The MCP showed the presence of alkaloids in both fungi. Coumarins, sterols and saponins were found only in Ao. Main conclusions: Both fungi produced ECP with a high NA that could be identified and assessed in future studies as potential natural anthelmintic compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasites and Parasitic Diseases in the Livestock Industry in Latin America)
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