¿Qué es la Fasciolasis?
La Fasciolasis es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por un trematodo conocido como Fasciola hepatica. Este parásito tiene un ciclo biológico indirecto y generalmente completa su ciclo en un lapso de tiempo que va de las 9 a 20 semanas, dependiendo de las condiciones climáticas. Los estadíos inmaduros localizados en el parénquima hepático son capaces de formar estructuras quísticas para sobrevivir, cuando las condiciones son adversas, en forma similar al Dictyocaulus. Los parásitos enquistados pueden llegar a sobrevivir hasta por dos años, principalmente en condiciones desfavorables (inviernos muy fríos o épocas muy secas). Esto tiene un efecto directo sobre las medidas de control, lo que quiere decir que una vez establecida la infestación por estos parásitos, los programas de desparasitación se deben seguir de forma sistemática año con año.
Con los cambios climáticos manifestados en los años recientes, la Fasciolasis ha incrementado considerablemente su presencia en los sistemas ganaderos, aún en tierras que tradicionalmente eran secas, pero que actualmente proporcionan condiciones para la sobrevivencia de estos parásitos, por lo que es necesario establecer o ajustar los programas de control en estos lugares. Las condiciones climáticas que se presentan en invierno, aunado con el registro de abundantes lluvias en verano proporcionan las condiciones ideales para aumentar la incidencia de duelas hepáticas y caracoles (hospedador intermediario); cuando esto sucede, los rastros y frigoríficos reportan un incremento sustancial en el porcentaje de decomisos de hígados al momento del sacrificio.
¿Cuál es el impacto de la Fasciolasis en el hato? Si el ganado no presenta signos evidentes de parasitosis ¿Están libres de fasciolas?
La falta de signos evidentes en el ganado, como “mal de botella”, diarreas y pérdidas de peso, no es indicativo de que estén libres Fasciola hepatica.
La Fasciolasis sub-clínica en el ganado provoca una reducción en la productividad debido al escaso desarrollo, reducción en la conversión alimenticia, baja fertilidad, disminución en la producción láctea e inmunosupresión, lo que los hace más susceptibles a infecciones secundarias; por lo tanto es importante no asumir que el ganado está libre de parásitos.
¿Cómo puedo diagnosticar la Fasciolasis?
Existen tres formas de presentación de la Fasciolasis: a) aguda, dependiendo de la época del año y el clima puede haber infestaciones masivas en bovinos y ovinos, que después de dos o tres semanas se puede manifestar como una Fasciolasis aguda, especialmente en animales jóvenes; los animales muestran signos clínicos como son la fiebre ligera, abatimiento, debilidad, aumento del volumen del hígado, con dolor y ascitis; estos signos son de aparición rápida y pueden ser acompañados de la muerte de animales; b) subaguda, los animales afectados empeoran su estado corporal, presentando el hato o rebaño un aspecto homogéneo de aletargamiento, pelo hirsuto y bajos índices de desarrollo corporal; y c) crónica, en general los signos presentes son: falta de peso, debilidad general, edema sub-mandibular y palidez de mucosas.
Los signos como “mal de botella”, diarreas persistentes, pérdida de peso, escaso desarrollo de los animales, pelo hirsuto, aunado a las condiciones del terreno como zonas bajas, inundables y con deficiente drenaje y la presencia de caracoles del género Lymnaea, nos dan la pauta para sospechar de una parasitosis por Fasciola hepatica. Para la confirmación del diagnóstico se deberá hacer un examen coproparasitoscopico por la técnica de sedimentación, para identificar los huevos de los parásitos. En caso de muerte de animales, a la necropsia se pueden aislar especímenes adultos en los conductos biliares y duelas juveniles en quistes localizados en el parénquima hepático.
Hay que tener en cuenta que el hecho de no encontrar huevos de Fasciola hepatica en heces, no quiere decir que no haya parásitos, ya que pueden estar en estadíos juveniles o en una fase de inhibición de la oviposición, incluso la hora en que se toman las muestras puede afectar los resultados.
¿Qué tan importante es el problema?
Como resultado del fuerte impacto negativo en el bienestar y productividad del ganado, se considera que la Fasciolasis es una de las enfermedades que causan las mayores pérdidas en las explotaciones ganaderas. Los problemas que implica la Fasciolasis, tales como el decremento en la producción láctea, la reducción de la ganancia de peso y la disminución de la fertilidad, se traducen en pérdidas económicas importantes para los ganaderos. Un estudio realizado en el 2003, en el Reino Unido, reveló que la Fasciolasis provocó pérdidas de alrededor de 23 millones de Euros a la industria ganadera de ese país1. En ese mismo estudio se estimó que la Fasciolasis afectó a 377 de cada 1,000 animales (aproximadamente el 38% del hato ganadero); esto es similar a los resultados encontrados en estudios realizados en la ganadería en trópico. Considerando lo anterior, los expertos predicen que la Fasciolasis podría alcanzar niveles sin precedentes en los próximos 60 años. Con tales cifras en la mente, no sería sorprendente que los programas de control de la Fasciolasis sean una alta prioridad para los ganaderos y profesionales en salud animal en todo el mundo.
Ciclo biológico de la Fasciola hepatica.
En el siguiente esquema se ilustra el ciclo biológico de la Fasciola hepática:
Los estadíos que se desarrollan en el ciclo de la Fasciolasis son:
1. R Bennett et al, Economic Assessment of Livestock Diseases in Great Britain, 2003
Louse populations are highest in cattle kept indoors during the winter months and heavy infestations cause irritation, leading to rubbing against feed barriers. This results in hair loss over the neck and shoulders and reduced DWG. Feed intake of cattle affected by external parasites such as lice, can drop by up to 10% and in cases of extreme infestation, anaemia may be seen.
Five species of lice infest cattle. They are classified as either biting lice (Damalina bovis) or sucking lice (Linognathus vituli or Haematopinus eurysternus, Solenopotes capillatus) . It not uncommon for cattle to be infected with more than one type of lice. This is particularly common in younger stock.
Life Cycle of Lice
The louse life cycle take 4 to 5 weeks and is similar for both sucking and biting lice. The eggs hatch and develop through 3 nymph stages to adults. This is illustrated below.
The thick, winter coat of the animal provide the ideal environment for development, providing a warm, humid and protected environment.
How Are Lice Transmitted?
As lice are usually transmitted by host contact, winter housing provides the ideal conditions for the transfer of lice between cattle.
Adult cattle grubs are circa 15 mm long, hairy, and bee-like in appearance. In late spring or early summer, they attach their eggs on cattle, particularly on the legs and lower body regions. The eggs hatch and penetrate the skin.
The first-stage larvae travel between muscles, along connective tissue, or along nerve pathways. They secrete proteolytic enzymes that facilitate their movement. During fall and winter, larvae migrate toward 2 different regions, depending on the species. H lineatum larvae migrate to the submucosal connective tissue of the oesophageal wall, where they accumulate for 2–4 months. H bovis larvae migrate to the region of the spinal canal, where they are found in the epidural fat between the dura mater and the periosteum for a similar period.
Beginning in early winter, the larvae arrive in the sub-dermal tissue of the back of the host where they make breathing holes through the skin. Cysts or warbles form around the larvae, which undergo 2 molts (second and third stage). The warble stage lasts 4–8 wk. Finally, third-stage larvae emerge through the breathing holes, drop to the ground, and pupate. Flies emerge from the pupae in 1–3 months, depending on weather conditions. Adult flies, which do not feed, live <1 week. The life cycle is complete in 1 year.
During periods of sunshine on warm days, cattle may run with their tails high in the air when chased by female flies, particularly H bovis.
Penetration of the skin by newly hatched larvae may produce a rash in older, previously infested cattle. The points of penetration are painful and inflamed and usually exude a yellow serum. Cattle grubs may occur in the back from tail-head to the shoulders, and from top-line to about one-third the distance down the sides. Usually, the cysts are firm and raised considerably above the normal contour of the skin and, occasionally, develop in abscesses. The emergence of the grub, its forced expulsion, or its death within the cyst usually results in healing of the lesion without complications. Carcasses and hides of cattle infested with cattle grubs show marked evidence of the infestation and are reduced in value.
The common stomach worms of cattle are:
These stomach worms all have similar lifecycles and cause similar disease manifestations.
Ostertagia ostertagi (bimectin injection, bimectin pour on and bimectin plus)
OstertagiosisOstertagiasis, a parasitic gastritis caused by the nematode Ostertagia ostertagi, is the most important of the gastrointestinal helminthic infections of cattle in temperate climates. Disease caused by this brown stomach worm only occurs in first and sometimes second season grazing stock as immunity is developed over this period.
Life Cycle
Ostertagia has a direct life cycle typical of the other stomach worms.
Eggs passed in the faeces develop into first-stage larvae (L,), which hatch develop, and moult to become second-stage larvae (L2), which in turn develop and moult to the third infective stage (L3).
All of this occurs in the faeces pat, and the L3 then migrates under moist conditions onto the herbage. The L3 retains the outer sheath of the L3 and is the most resistant of the free-living stages.
Following ingestion, the parasitic cycle involves development through the L3 and L4 stages in the gastric glands. This usually takes 21 days, by which time the adult parasite emerges from the glands onto the surface of the abomasal mucosa.
The adults mate and the female worm will then produce thousands' of fertilised eggs which pass out of the animal in the faeces. The lifecycle of the larval stages depends on appropriate warm and moist conditions, which are found in the British Isles from May onwards. Under the appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity; the eggs will develop into larvae.
There are two presentations of OstertagiosisOstertagiasis and of Parasitic gastro-enteritis in cattle generally:
Type 1: Adult worms living in stomach attached to the lining, causing damage to the gut lining and deprive host of nutrients. Usually occurs in grazing season. Animals affected usually don’t thrive well and may have diarrhoea.
Type 2: Larval stage 4 burrows into stomach lining and emerge in large numbers causing explosive diarrhoea and may even be fatal. Usually occurs in December/January in the northern hemisphere following cold weather hibernation in the autumn but can occur in the autumn following warm weather hibernation in the summer.
Lungworm is also known as Hoose or Husk. Lungworm infestation is more prevalent in Europe than in North America.
Courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland Clinical signs of infection include coughing and difficulty in breathing. Affected cattle have an increased susceptibility to infective pneumonia. Immunity to lungworm develops quickly but is relatively short-lasting (approx. 6 months) in the absence of further infection.
Courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland At the start of each grazing season, following housing, cattle may have very little or no immunity to lungworm and thus are susceptible to new infections again. The periods of greatest challenge in temperate climates for animals are late summer and autumn. Reinfection Syndrome occurs in cows that are partly immune to Lungworm that are exposed to heavy larval challenge from pasture recently grazed by young susceptible animals. The cows may develop severe coughing and/ or milk drop as their immune system kills the migrating larvae. Such animals will not have Lungworm larvae detectable in faeces.
Life Cycle
The lungworm lifecycle is uniquely adapted amongst roundworms.
The life cycle of a lungworm begins with an ingestion of infective larvae. The larvae then penetrate the intestinal wall, and from here migrate into the lungs through the bloodstream. The infected larvae reside in the lungs until the development into an adult lungworm. The eggs of the adult hatch; producing L1 larvae. The eggs or L1 larvae that reside in the lungs are coughed up and then ingested back into the stomach and released into the environment via the faeces.
Lungworm and Fungus
The spread of lungworm is helped by a fungus (Pilobolus).
This orange fungus, regularly seen on cow dung pats in pastures, explodes, spreading the lungworm larvae all over the pasture.
Symptoms of Lungworm
How The Bimectin Range Can Help
Bimectin Injection, Bimectin Plus and Bimectin Pour On are all licensed to treat lungworm in cattle. Bimectin Injection is licensed to treat lungworm in cattle, sheep and pigs. Bimectin Paste is licensed to treat lungworm in horses.
| Product | Licensed for Lungworms in: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | Sheep | Pigs | Horses | |
| Bimectin Injection | Lungworms: (adult and fourth stage larvae)Dictyocaulus viviparus | Lungworms: Dictyocaulus filaria (adult and fourth stage larvae), Prostrongylus rufescens (adults) | Lungworms: Metastrongylus spp. (adults) | Not licensed for horses |
| Bimectin Plus Injection | Lungworms: (adult and fourth stage larvae)Dictyocaulus viviparous | Not licensed for sheep | Not licensed for pigs | Not licensed for horses |
| Bimectin Pour On | Lungworms: (adult and fourth stage larvae)Dictyocaulus viviparous | Not licensed for sheep | Not licensed for pigs | Not licensed for horses |
| Bimectin Paste | Not licensed for cattle | Not licensed for sheep | Not licensed for pigs | Lungworms: (adults and immatures) |
Louse populations are highest in cattle kept indoors during the winter months and heavy infestations cause irritation, leading to rubbing against feed barriers. This results in hair loss over the neck and shoulders and reduced DWG. Feed intake of cattle affected by external parasites such as lice, can drop by up to 10% and in cases of extreme infestation, anaemia may be seen.
Four species of lice infest cattle. They are classified as either biting lice (Damalina bovis) or sucking lice (Linognathus vituli or Haematopinus eurysternus, Solenopotes capillatus) . It not uncommon for cattle to be infected with more than one type of lice. This is particularly common in younger stock.
Life Cycle of Lice
The louse life cycle take 4 to 5 weeks and is similar for both sucking and biting lice. The eggs hatch and develop through 3 nymph stages to adults. This is illustrated below.
The thick, winter coat of the animal provide the ideal environment for development, providing a warm, humid and protected environment.
How Are Lice Transmitted?
As lice are usually transmitted by host contact, winter housing provides the ideal conditions for the transfer of lice between cattle.
There are various types of intestinal worms, which impact negatively on the health and productivity of animals. To find out more about some of the most common intestinal worms in the UK and Ireland, read on. Bimectin Injection, Bimectin Pour On and Bimectin Plus are all licensed as treatments for these intestinal parasites.
Cooperia spp
Several species of Cooperia are found in the small intestine of cattle; C punctata, C oncophora, and C pectinata are the most common and their life cycle is essentially the same as that of other trichostrongylids. Most of them are found in the first 10–20 ft. (3–6 m) of the small intestine and have a prepatent period is 12–15 days.
In heavy infections there is profuse diarrhoea, anorexia, and emaciation, but no anaemia; the upper small intestine shows marked congestion of the mucosa with small haemorrhages a milder form can occur but can be responsible for weight loss and poor productivity.
Hookworms (Bunostomum sp)
The pre-patent period is ∼2 months. Infection is by ingestion or skin penetration; the latter is more common.
Larval penetrating the lower limbs may cause uneasiness and stamping, particularly in housed cattle. Adult worms cause anaemia and rapid weight loss. Diarrhoea and constipation may alternate. Hypoproteinemic oedema may be present, but bottle jaw is rare.
The worms are readily seen in the first few feet of the small intestine, and the contents are often blood-stained. As few as 2,000 worms may cause death in calves. Local lesions, oedema, and scab formation may result from penetration of larvae into the skin of resistant calves.
Intestinal Threadworms (Strongyloides sp)
The intestinal threadworms, Strongyloides papillosus, are embedded in the mucosa of the upper small intestine. Infections are most common in young calves, particularly dairy stock. Although signs are rare, they may include intermittent diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight, and sometimes blood and mucus in the faeces. Large numbers of worms in the intestine produce catarrhal enteritis with petechial and ecchymosis, especially in the duodenum and jejunum.
Nematodirus spp
Nematodirus helvetianus is generally recognized as the most common species in cattle, although other species, e.g., N spathiger and N battus, can also infect cattle. The eggs develop slowly; the infective third stage is reached within the egg in 2–4 week and may remain within the egg for several months. Eggs may accumulate on pastures and hatch in large numbers after rain to produce heavy infections over a short period. The eggs are highly resistant, and those passed by calves in one season may remain viable and infect calves the next season. After ingestion of infective larvae, the adult stage is reached in ∼3 weeks. Worms are most numerous 10–20 ft. (3–6 m) from the pylorus.
Oesophagostomum sp
These have a direct life cycle. The larvae penetrate primarily into the wall of the lower 10–20 ft. (3–6 m) of the small intestine but also into the cecum and colon, where they remain for 5–10 days and then return to the lumen as fourth-stage larvae. The pre-patent period in susceptible animals is ∼6 weeks. However, in subsequent reinfections, larvae become arrested for some time, and many never return to the lumen (host encystment).
Young animals suffer from the effects of adult worms, whereas in older animals, the effect of the nodules is more important. Infection causes anorexia; severe, constant, dark, persistent, fetid diarrhoea; weight loss; and death. In older, resistant animals, the nodules surrounding the larvae become caseated and calcified, thus decreasing the motility of the intestine. Stenosis or intussusception occasionally occurs. Nodules can be palpated per rectum, and the worms and nodules can be seen readily at necropsy.
Trichuris
Trichuris infections are common in young stock, but the numbers of worms are seldom large. Clinical signs are unlikely, but in occasional heavy infections, dark faeces, anaemia, and anorexia may be seen.
Mange in cattle is caused by mites. In the UK & Ireland there are 3 species of mange mites which affect cattle.
Mange mites cause irritation, hair loss, hide damage and a thickened, scaly skin. There are also associated with reduced productivity. Different mites affect different areas on the animal.
Timing
Mange is mainly a problem in autumn, winter and early spring as cattle are housed, with mites becoming less active and numbers reducing in the summer.
Chorioptic Mange (Chorioptes bovis)
Chorioptes bovis is common in housed cattle and is relatively harmless. It is more prevalent during the winter and often spontaneously regresses in summer. The pastern areas of the legs are preferred sites for the mites, though these mites are also found on the neck and tail head area. A high proportion of cattle can be infested without showing clinical signs. Some cattle will show hair loss which gradually increases in size and can cause irritation. Hide damage may be noted as cattle rub the affected areas.
Psoroptic Mange (Psoroptes bovis)
Psoroptic mange occurs worldwide and there are reports of disease in the UK caused by infestation with Psoroptes ovis thought to have arisen following the importation of infested cattle.
Clinical Presentation
Serum exudation and thickening of the skin particularly over the neck and over the dorsal midline is reported. In some cattle Psoroptic mange can cause severe clinical signs with adverse effects upon health and welfare. Bacterial infection of affected areas is common, leading to bleeding. If lesions are extensive, production losses will occur. In severe cases, death can result.
Sarcoptic Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var.bovis)
Sarcoptic mange occurs worldwide but is rare in the UK & Ireland. Infestation causes severe pruritus with serum exudation and gross thickening of the skin, particularly over the neck. These mites are usually found on the neck and in the loin area next to the tail. As the name suggests, these mites borrow through the skin and cause severe irritation and skin damage. Skin will become thick and crusted and may become infected. This impairs productivity.
Sarcoptic mange can be transferred to human beings.
Adult warbles are circa 15 mm long, hairy, and bee-like in appearance. In late spring or early summer, they attach their eggs on cattle, particularly on the legs and lower body regions. The eggs hatch and penetrate the skin.
The first-stage larvae travel between muscles, along connective tissue, or along nerve pathways. They secrete proteolytic enzymes that facilitate their movement. During fall and winter, larvae migrate toward 2 different regions, depending on the species. H lineatum larvae migrate to the submucosal connective tissue of the oesophageal wall, where they accumulate for 2–4 months. H bovis larvae migrate to the region of the spinal canal, where they are found in the epidural fat between the dura mater and the periosteum for a similar period.
Beginning in early winter, the larvae arrive in the sub-dermal tissue of the back of the host where they make breathing holes through the skin. Cysts or warbles form around the larvae, which undergo 2 molts (second and third stage). The warble stage lasts 4–8 wk. Finally, third-stage larvae emerge through the breathing holes, drop to the ground, and pupate. Flies emerge from the pupae in 1–3 months, depending on weather conditions. Adult flies, which do not feed, live <1 week. The life cycle is complete in 1 year.
During periods of sunshine on warm days, cattle may run with their tails high in the air when chased by female warble flies, particularly H bovis.
Penetration of the skin by newly hatched larvae may produce a rash in older, previously infested cattle. The points of penetration are painful and inflamed and usually exude a yellow serum. Warbles may occur in the back from tail-head to the shoulders, and from top-line to about one-third the distance down the sides. Usually, the cysts are firm and raised considerably above the normal contour of the skin and, occasionally, develop in abscesses. The emergence of the grub, its forced expulsion, or its death within the cyst usually results in healing of the lesion without complications. Carcasses and hides of cattle infested with cattle grubs show marked evidence of the infestation and are reduced in value.
What Is Liver Fluke?
Liver Fluke (Fascioliasis) is caused by a specific flatworm, known as Fasciola hepatica. This parasite has a complicated life cycle that typically takes from 9-20 weeks to progress from beginning to end. Immature stages of the liver fluke are also able to survive in a cyst-like structure, similar to Dictyocaulus. The encysted fluke can survive in this state for up to 2 years, particularly over mild winters. This has knock-on effects for control measures as it means that once fluke is established, control programmes must be followed year-in, year-out.
Liver fluke levels have been rising consistently in the UKIreland over recent years and farms on all types of land -including those on traditionally drier land - must now ensure fluke surveillance and control strategies are in place. The mild weather of recent winters coupled with the high rainfall in some recent summers has being ideal for high fluke and snail levels, and many abattoirs are reporting a trend of increasing liver condemnation.
What Is The Impact of Liver Fluke? If My Cattle Don’t Have Obvious Symptoms, Are They Fluke Free?
Even if your stock do not display obvious, clinical symptoms such as bottle –jaw, diarrhoea and weight loss, this does not mean your stock are fluke free.
Sub-clinical fluke in cattle causes reduced profitability due to lack of thrive, reduced food conversion efficacy, lowered fertility, increased susceptibility to other infections and reduced milk yield so it is important not to assume that your cattle are fluke-free.
How Big Is The Problem?
As a result of the extremely negative impacts on animal wellbeing and performance, liver fluke is a major economic issue for many UK cattle farmers. Inevitably issues such as impaired milk production, reduced weight gain and lowered fertility translate into serious costs for the farmer, and a 2003 study estimated that liver fluke costs the UK cattle industry £300 million each year.1 The same study estimated that fluke affects 377 cattle per 1,000 head. What’s more, UK experts predict that fluke infections will reach unprecedented levels within the next 60 years. With such sobering figures in mind, it is unsurprising that the effective control of liver fluke remains a top priority for farmers and animal health professionals in the UK.
As a result of the extremely negative impacts on animal wellbeing and performance, liver fluke is a major economic issue for many Irish cattle farmers. Inevitably issues such as impaired milk production, reduced weight gain and lowered fertility translate into serious costs for the farmer. The Animal Health Ireland Report, ‘Liver Fluke - The Facts’, noted that annually, liver fluke, ‘is estimated to cost at least €90 million to the Irish Industry’. The report also noted that, ‘liver fluke may cause a reduced meat production of up to 20% in cattle…and a reduction of up to 8% in cows’. What’s more, some experts predict that fluke infections will reach unprecedented levels within the next 60 years. With such sobering figures in mind, it is unsurprising that the effective control of liver fluke remains a top priority for farmers and animal health professionals in Ireland.
The Liver Fluke Life Cycle
The diagram below highlights the life cycle of the liver fluke.
The key stages in the life cycle of the liver fluke are:
1. R Bennett et al, Economic Assessment of Livestock Diseases in Great Britain, 2003
| List No. | Pack Size |
| 1BIM068 | 50mL |
| 1BIM069 | 250mL |
| 1BIM070 | 500mL |
Withdrawal Period Milk:
Do not use on lactating cows or within 60 days of calving.
Withdrawal Period Meat:
Cattle 49 days, Sheep 42 days, Pigs 28 days
Harmless Chorioptic mange
