title: Effects of anthelmintic treatment and feed supplementation on parasite infections and morbidity parameters in Cambodian cattle.
abstract: Helminth infections are the cause of morbidity in Cambodian cattle but other factors such as nutritional deficiencies and concurrent diseases may enhance the effects of parasites. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of anthelmintic treatment, feed supplementation, or both on gastrointestinal strongyle (GIS) and trematode infections as well as on morbidity parameters in Cambodian village cattle. At the beginning of the dry season, cattle populations in six villages were randomly assigned to a group: (A) receiving anthelmintic treatment (ivermectin+clorsulon) at week 0; (P) feed pellet supplementation during week 0-13 or both (AP). On five visits (week 0-29), faecal and blood samples were obtained for parasitological examination and haematocrit determination, respectively. Body condition (BCS), hind quarter fouling (HQFS), diarrhoea (DS), and conjunctiva colour (FAMACHA©) were scored and heart girth circumference was determined. To investigate the impact of treatment over time (week 0-29), a mixed model was used with treatment, time, and their interaction as fixed effects, and animal and village as random factors. At baseline, the proportion of GIS positive animals was high (67.9%), whereas trematode infections were low (Paramphistomum: 8.8%; Fasciola: 2.6%). Very thin to emaciated cattle (BCS 1-2) were more prevalent (11.4%) and FAMACHA©scores of ≤3 or below (65.8%) less prevalent than in an earlier study in the region. A Time ⨯ Treatment interaction was present for faecal egg counts (FEC) of GIS, GIS prevalence (both p<0.0001), PCV (p=0.0034), DS (p=0.0086) and HQFS (p=0.0241). For GIS FEC, treatment groups differed at a specific time point, with levels of treatment group P being higher than in A at week 6 (p=0.0054). For Paramphistomum prevalence as well as FAMACHA©scoring, heart girth and BCS, the interaction between treatment and time was not significant, yet, time in itself had a significant impact on all (p<0.0001). The beneficial effects of protein supplementation were unclear from the current study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000, Antwerpen, Belgium. Electronic address: vdermauw@itg.be.
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dermauw
authors.affiliation: Division of Research and Extension, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Electronic address: sothymeaskh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sothy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meas
authors.affiliation: Division of Research and Extension, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Electronic address: bunthonchea@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bunthon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chea
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070, Anderlecht, Belgium. Electronic address: thierry.onkelinx@inbo.be.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onkelinx
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Electronic address: sorn.san@gmail.com.
authors.forename: San
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Electronic address: davun2016@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Davun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holl
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: jcharlier@avia-gis.com.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charlier
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: Jozef.Vercruysse@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vercruysse
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000, Antwerpen, Belgium; Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: pdorny@itg.be.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorny
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005209:Fasciola / Q000187:drug effects; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010250:Paramphistomatidae / Q000187:drug effects; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: Anthelmintic treatment; Cambodia; Cattle; Fasciola; Gastrointestinal nematodes; Morbidity; Nutrition