Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x5gtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-10T20:46:54.637Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Variations in Schistosoma mattheei egg morphology and viability according to age of infection in cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

J. De Bont
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, Samora Machel School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
J. Vercruysse*
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Gent, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
M. Massuku
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, Samora Machel School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
*
* Author for correspondence.

Abstract

Comparison of the numbers of Schistosoma mattheei eggs and miracidia per gram faeces in groups of naturally infected calves, heifers and adult cows showed that the reduction in faecal egg excretion recorded as infection progresses is associated with a decline in the ability of eggs to hatch. While 50% of the eggs from calves produced a miracidium, only 15% of those excreted from adult cows did the same. The decline in egg viability is at least partly associated with morphological changes of the eggs. About twice as many smaller and vacuolated eggs were found in the faeces of heifers and adult cows (33.8%) as compared to animals in early infection (16.1%).

Type
Research Note
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Boulanger, D., Reid, G.D., Sturrock, R.F., Wolowczuk, I., Balloul, J.M., Grezel, D., Pierce, R.J., Otieno, M.F., Guerret, S., Grimaud, J.A., Butterworth, A.E. & Capron, A. (1991) Immunization of mice and baboons with the recombinant Sm28GST affects both worm viability and fecundity after experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Parasite Immunology 13, 473490.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bushara, H.O., Majid, A.A., Saad, A.M., Hussein, M.F., Taylor, M.G., Dargie, J.D., Marshall, T.F., de, C. & Nelson, G.S. (1980) Observations on cattle schistosomiasis in the Sudan, a study in comparative medicine. II. Experimental demonstration of naturally acquired resistance to Schistosoma bovis. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 29, 442451.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bushara, H.O., Majid, B.Y.A., Majid, A.A., Khitma, I., Gameel, A.A., Karib, E. A., Hussein, M.F. & Taylor, M.G. (1983a) Observations on cattle schistosomiasis in the Sudan, a study in comparative medicine. V. The effect of praziquantel therapy on naturally acquired resistance to Schistosoma bovis. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 32, 13701374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bushara, H.O., Gameel, A.A., Majid, B.Y.A., Khitma, I., Haroun, E.M., Karib, E. A., Hussein, M.F. & Taylor, M.G. (1983b) Observations on cattle schistosomiasis in the Sudan, a study in comparative medicine. VI. Demonstration of resistance to Schistosoma bovis challenge after a single exposure to normal cercariae or to transplanted adult worms. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 32, 13751380.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Bont, J., Vercruysse, J., Van Aken, D., Southgate, V.R., Rollinson, D. & Moncrieff, C. (1991) The epidemiology of Schistosoma spindale Montgomery, 1906 in cattle in Sri Lanka. Parasitology 102, 237241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Bont, J., Vercruysse, J., Sabbe, F., Southgate, V.R. & Rollinson, D. (1995a) Schistosoma mattheei infections in cattle: changes associated with season and age. Veterinary Parasitology 57, 299307.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Bont, J., Vercruysse, J., Sabbe, F. & Ysebaert, M.T. (1995b) Observations on worm population dynamics in calves naturally infected with Schistosoma mattheei. Parasitology 111, 485491.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kruger, F.J., Schutte, C.H.J., Visser, P.S. & Evans, A.C. (1986) Phenotypic diffrences in Schistosoma mattheei ova from populations sympatric and allopatric to S. haematobium. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 53, 103107.Google Scholar
Lawrence, J.A. (1970) Examination of ruminant faeces for schistosome eggs. Rhodesian Veterinary Journal 1, 4952.Google Scholar
Lawrence, J.A. (1973) Schistosoma mattheei in cattle: the host-parasite relationship. Research in Veterinary Science 14, 400402.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawrence, J.A. (1977) Schistosoma mattheei in the ox: observations on the parasite. Veterinary Parasitology 3, 291303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Majid, A.A., Marshall, T.F., de, C., Hussein, M.F., Bushara, H.O., Taylor, M.G., Nelson, G.S. & Dargie, J.D. (1980) Observations on cattle schistosomiasis in the Sudan, a study in comparative medicine. I. Epizootiological observations on Schistosoma bovis in the White Nile Province. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 29, 435441.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Massoud, J. & Nelson, G.S. (1972) Studies on heterologous immunity in schistosomiasis. 6. Observations on cross-immunity to Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum, Schistosoma bovis, S. mansoni, and S. haematobium in mice, sheep, and cattle in Iran. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 47, 591600.Google Scholar
Pitchford, R.J. (1965) Differences in the egg morphology and certain biological characteristics of some African and Middle Eastern schistosomes, genus Schistosoma, with terminal-spined eggs. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 32, 105120.Google ScholarPubMed
Xu, C.B., Verwaerde, C., Gras-Masse, H., Fontaine, J., Bossus, M., Trottein, F., Wolowczuk, I., Tartar, A. & Capron, A. (1993) Schistosoma mansoni 28-kDa glutathione S-tiansferase and immunity against parasite fecundity and egg viability. Journal of Immunology 150, 940949.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed