Browsing by Subject "Eimeria"

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    Associated risk factors influencing ovine Eimeria infections in southern Spain
    (Elsevier, 2018) Carrau Garreta, Tessa; Silva, L.M.R.; Pérez, D.; Failing, K.; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Macías, J.; Taubert, A.; Hermosilla, C.; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sanidad Animal
    Eimeria infections are common in sheep industry worldwide nonetheless very little is known on infection dynamics and associated risk factors influencing the outcome of clinical ovine coccidiosis. The aim of the present work was to analyse intrinsic (e. g. host age) and extrinsic (flock size, farm size and animal density) risk factors influencing dynamics of Eimeria spp. infections in sheep farms of the semi-arid region of Murcia in southern Spain. Overall, 64 ovine flocks in Murcia were surveyed and a total of 396 faecal samples were collected between May and July 2015. Flotation and McMaster techniques were performed for parasitological investigation. Excreted oocysts were identified on the basis of morphological as well as morphometric characteristics. In all analysed samples Eimeria spp. oocysts (100%) were found and 11 different Eimeria species were identified. Most prevalent species was E. ovinoidalis (97%) followed by E. parva/E.pallida (97%), E. weybridgensis (90.9%) and E. crandallis (89.4%), respectively. Concomitant infections with more than one Eimeria species were observed in all analysed samples. Analysis of intrinsic/extrinsic risk factor revealed age, herd/farm size and animal density to be the main factors significantly influencing Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces counts (OPG) and overall prevalence of Eimeria spp. infections in sheep.
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    Coccidian Prevalence and Intensity in Free-Ranging and Rehabilitating Wild Raptors
    (2019-01-01) Crespo-Gines, R.; Lopez, D. S.; Berriatua, E.; Blanco, G.; Candela, M. G.; Perez-Garcia, J. M.; Sanidad Animal; Dpto. Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n., 23071 Jaén, Spain.; Dpto. de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, c/. José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.; Área de Ecología, Dpto. de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, Edificio Torreblanca, 03202 Elche (Alicante), Spain; Ciencia Animal, ETSEA, Universidad de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
    Coccidians infect the intestines and other organs in vertebrates, causing pathogenicity ranging from symptomatic infections to death. However, knowledge about coccidian infections is lacking for most free-living raptor species. Gathering basic information on coccidian infection would allow a better understanding of the basic ecology of raptors and would improve conservation actions. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and parasitic loads of coccidians in several free-ranging and rehabilitating wild raptor species in recovery centres in Spain and Belgium from 2015 to 2017. Faecal samples from 129 individuals of 17 different raptor species were collected. Coccidian oocysts were found in nine species. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of coccidians between the two countries, with higher rates in Belgium (45.0%) than in Spain (20.2%), as well as between age categories, with nestlings and juveniles showing a higher prevalence (30.5%) than adults (11.4%). Three different coccidian genera were identified. Caryospora spp. and Eimeria spp. were found in diurnal raptors and owls with medium/high loads (median ranging from 75-91344 ooc/g), while Isospora spp. was found only in Griffon Gyps fulvus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus at low infection intensities (62-170 ooc/g). We present the first case of Isospora spp. in European vultures, although it is unclear if this is a true intestinal parasitisation or a pseudo-parasitisation with oocysts from livestock on which the vultures fed. Despite the limited sample size in our study, our results contribute to filling a gap in the knowledge of coccidian infections in wild birds.
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    Gastrointestinal parasites in red‑legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in Spain: a warning to game managers
    (2022-07-07) Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Tizzani, Paolo; Berriatua, Eduardo; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal
    Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations are currently declining in the Iberian Peninsula, mainly due to habitat degradation and hunting pressure. In addition, the release of farm-reared partridges may introduce pathogens, including parasites, to wild populations. The presence of digestive parasites in red-legged partridges hunted in ffteen Spanish provinces was studied. Fecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts were collected, analyzed, and the morphometric identifcation of parasites was carried out. Eimeria spp. oocysts, nematode, cestode and trematode eggs were observed in fecal samples. Adult nematodes (Ascaridia galli, Ascaridia compar, Heterakis gallinarum, Heterakis tenuicauda, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Subulura spp., Cyrnea spp. and Aonchotheca caudinfata), tapeworms (Raillietina tetragona, R. echinobothrida, R. micracantha, Rhabdometra nigropunctata, and Choanotaenia infundibulum), and trematodes (Brachylaima spp., Brachylecithum spp., Dicrocoelium spp.) were identifed in the gastrointestinal tracts. Signifcant statistical diferences were found among climatic regions in the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria spp. infection, median intensity and the prevalence of indirect life cycle helminths, with Southern areas always showing higher infection values. The study provides information of the health status of red-legged partridges in Spain, highlighting the risk associated with the release of farm-reared partridges for restocking purposes. This should be taken into account to improve management strategies for the long-term conservation of the species.