Elsevier

Veterinary Parasitology

Volume 166, Issues 3–4, 23 December 2009, Pages 212-219
Veterinary Parasitology

Eimeria and Cryptosporidium in Estonian dairy farms in regard to age, species, and diarrhoea

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.08.022Get rights and content

Abstract

Eimeria and Cryptosporidium are among the most common bovine parasites in the world, but little is known about them in Estonia. Basic field research is needed to gain insight into pathogen dynamics, providing knowledge for veterinarians and research. A survey of 45 Estonian dairy farms in 15 counties was carried out between 2006 and 2007. Three age groups: <3, 3–12, and >12 months old animals were sampled. Collected faeces were examined by quantitative flotation and Ziehl–Neelsen contrast staining, and species examined morphologically. Selected samples containing Cryptosporidium were additionally examined by polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) and sequencing to determine genotypes. Twelve species of Eimeria were identified, seven previously unknown in Estonia. Main species in samples were E. bovis (30%), E. zuernii (23%), and E. ellipsoidalis (14%). All herds were infected and animals aged 3–12 months were more commonly infected with Eimeria oocysts (63%) than any other group. Calves <3 months shed most oocyst, but high counts were rare. A negative association (slope = −0.16, p < 0.001) was found between the number of animals infected with Eimeria and the age category. Cryptosporidium were detected in 84% of the farms, and C. andersoni and C. parvum were successfully identified. Though prevalences of Cryptosporidium in the age groups were similar to the sample prevalence (30%) an increase in the infections was found with increasing age (p < 0.001). Higher diarrhoea scores were negatively associated with Eimeria spp. infection (slope = −0.08, p < 0.05), whereas Cryptosporidium could not be associated with the presence of diarrhoea. Frequent low intensity infections of animals in all age groups with both parasites apply a constant stress on the animals with impact on health and production. The Estonian results are different compared to available studies in regard of: older animals commonly being infected, finding of modest oocyst counts, and distribution of Eimeria species.

Introduction

Eimeria and Cryptosporidium are unicellular parasites commonly found in cattle herds causing problems especially, but not exclusively, in younger animals (Henriksen and Korsholm, 1984, Levine, 1985, Cornelissen et al., 1995). Watery diarrhoea can be associated with the symptoms of coccidiosis, although bloody diarrhoea is associated with eimeriosis (Daugschies and Najdrowski, 2005). Diagnosis of the correct pathogen causing diarrhoea in calves and heifers, can be difficult due to overlapping patent periods and other infectious agents with similar symptoms (Anderson, 1998). Diarrhoea may also be absent even in heavily infected animals and clinical symptoms are normally present in the last phase of the life cycle of the parasite when the oocysts are shed with the faeces (Daugschies and Najdrowski, 2005). More commonly the infection cause less obvious signs such as weight loss, reduced weight gain, and loss of appetite, resulting in potentially long lasting effects (Fitzgerald, 1980, Sartin et al., 2000, Mundt et al., 2005). Our best estimate to date is a 30-year-old calculation by Fitzgerald (1980) who approximated an annual loss caused by coccidiosis in cattle farms between $346 million and $1.385 billion.

Previously Karis (1987) found Eimeria spp. in all investigated Estonian dairy farms with a sample prevalence of 35%, and identified five species. Cryptosporidium was first reported by Talvik and Daugschies (2004) who discovered it when investigating a case of heavy diarrhoea in young calves. This study remains the only Estonian literature source on Cryptosporidium. The case study also identified Eimeria in the samples and added E. pelita to the list of identified species.

Currently the attention to coccidia is very low in Estonia. The Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory only received a total of 42 bovine faecal samples for parasitological investigations in 2006 and 2007. For comparison, 113,100 cows were estimated to be in the Estonian dairy production in 2005 (Pentjärv et al., 2005). Six faecal samples were tested for Eimeria spp. and 1 for Cryptosporidium spp. (Veterinaar-ja Toidulaboratoorium, 2006, Veterinaar-ja Toidulaboratoorium, 2007). The modest numbers of voluntary investigations sent to the central diagnostic laboratory and other veterinary parasitological institutions indicate either few problems or low awareness to coccidia. In addition to the need of information on coccidia in Estonian cattle, it is necessary to look as far as Sweden and Poland to find recent investigations for comparison (Svensson, 1995, Höglund et al., 2001, Klockiewicz et al., 2007).

It is our opinion that Cryptosporidium and Eimeria present an important, but overlooked, group of pathogens with impacts on animal health, welfare, and production in Estonia. Basic research in national circumstances is necessary to clarify the present situation concerning these parasites, as the first step in elaborating appropriate preventive measures. In this study we examine the levels of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium in Estonian dairy farms on herd level and in categorized age groups. Secondarily, we aim to establish an overview of the species found in dairy cattle, and the relationship between infection status in regard to age and occurrence of diarrhoea. Prevalence of mixed infections with both coccidia will also be examined.

Section snippets

Population and sample collection

Sample size of the herds needed to be included in the study was calculated by Win Episcope 2.0 to a minimum of 35 herds (population size: 814 registered farms in 2005 (Pentjärv et al., 2005) at the Estonian Animal Recording Centre (EARC), confidence level 95%, accepted error 10%, expected prevalence 90%). The study ended up including 45 herds that were visited between August 2006 and September 2007. EARC represents about 90% of the dairy herds, and mainly farms >20 animals. The herds to be

Eimeria spp. in Estonian dairy herds

All Estonian farms investigated (N = 45, 100%) had cattle shedding Eimeria (Table 1). Within the herd prevalence varied between 4 and 80%.

Eimeria spp. according to age categories

Out of 887 samples investigated 37% were positive for Eimeria spp. (Table 1). Both G0 (35%, p < 0.001) and G2 (17%, p < 0.05) had less animals producing Eimeria oocysts in their individual age group. On the contrary, animals in G1 (63%, p < 0.001) were dominantly positive for Eimeria (Table 1). Examination of the relationship between age categories and infected

Herds with Eimeria

This is the first time a full scale investigation of both Eimeria and Cryptosporidium in Estonia is published. Eimeria was found in all Estonian cattle farms investigated and the situation seems very similar to the one reported 20 years ago (Karis, 1987). European prevalence studies of coccidia for comparison are sporadic, but we estimate Estonia is located in the high end (Raynaud et al., 1981, Wacker et al., 1999, Klockiewicz et al., 2007). We found on average 40% of the herds infected with

Conclusions

Estonian dairy herds were infected with both Eimeria and Cryptosporidium. Medium and high shedding of oocysts are uncommon, but a large number of animals shed coccidia oocysts frequently. More Eimeria species may have entered Estonian herds over the last 20 years and 3–9 different species can be found per farm. Diarrhoea was only associated with Cryptosporidium in young calves <3 months, and a negative association was found with Eimeria. Mixed coccidia infections were found in 10% of the

Conflict of interest

Help was given by an Estonian Magnum Medical employee who volunteered assisted in contacting veterinarians and farms for this experiment in areas selected by us. No money was exchanged.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank veterinarians, especially Liina Laaneoja, who assisted in sample collection and the farms that participated. Research funding was provided by Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (project 0170165), and EU (project 1.0101-0167) Graduate School in Biomedicine and Biotechnology, coordinated by SA Innove. Special thanks to Charlotte Hyttel and Boi-Tien Thi Pham for help with methods, PCR analysis and genotyping.

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