A Dutch farmer with beef cattle and suckling calves noticed one of the calves suffering from diarrhoea and observed large white worms near the perineum. In the faeces of this calf, eggs of Toxocara vitulorum were found. The majority of the cows in the herd were of the Piemontese breed previously imported from southern France. Treatment with albendazole was successful. Two other calves had positive faecal egg counts. One month after treatment of these calves with doramectin, no eggs were found. To prevent further infections on the farm and dissemination of this uncommon infection to other farms, the farmer decided to have all his cattle slaughtered.

Hares (Lepus europeanus) sharing pasture with cattle from six locations in the Netherlands were examined for the presence of liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and shown to have prevalences of infection ranging from 0 to 41%. The mitochondrial haplotypes of liver flukes present in the hare populations were determined and compared with those found in cattle from a farm where triclabendazole resistance has been reported. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the flukes present in the hares belonged to the same clades as those present in the cattle. A consideration of the life cycle of the liver fluke and the seasonal breeding pattern and ecology of hares supports the suggestion that hares may act as a refugia for liver fluke and as a vector for the spread of drug-resistant genotypes.

Organic and many ‘low input’ production standards for pigs require outdoor access, and as a consequence expose the animals to a wide range of potential endo- and ectoparasite infection sources. Conventional anthelmintics are used to control parasitic infections, but their preventive use is banned by the organic standards. The present paper investigates the potential of prevention of infection through better hygiene. Attempts were made to break the infection cycle through thorough pen cleaning 10 weeks after the pigs had been introduced to the pen. Although pen fouling can be reduced, the level of roundworm (Ascaris suum) infection was not reduced. Regular deworming with conventional medication is still required in addition to good hygiene.

A 2-month-old suckling calf had complaints of diarrhea and roundworms near the perineum. Faecal examination showed the presence of a high number of roundworm eggs of Toxocara vitulorum. The calf was a daughter of a Piemontese cow, born on the farm, but with a grandmother imported from France. This case describes the measures taken on the farm to prevent clinical problems and dissemination of the infection to other farms.

In Autumn 2009, a faecal egg count reduction test (FERCT) was carried out on three sheep farms. Groups of 8-11 lambs were treated with ivermectin or moxidectin, with a 14-day interval between treatment and sampling. Ivermectin resistance was present on all three farms. Treatment with ivermectin resulted in a reduction in faecal egg numbers of 94.6%, 63%, and 59%. On two farms, 14 days after treatment pooled faecal samples yielded predominantly larvae of Hamonchus contortus (100% and 98%, respectively). On the third farm, H. contortus and (probably) Teladorsagia circumcincta were resistant to ivermectin (64% and 36% of the larvae, respectively). Treatment with moxidectin resulted in a 100% reduction in egg output in sheep on all three farms. More sensitive culture techniques failed to detect any larvae in samples taken from two farms, but a few Ostertagia-type larvae, probably of T. circumcincta, were detected in samples from the third farm. It can be concluded that gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep from these three farms were resistant to ivermectin, whereas resistance to moxidectin was not detected.

The ability to reliably detect anthelmintic resistance is a crucial part of resistance management. If data between countries are to be compared, the same test should give the same results in each laboratory. As the egg hatch test for benzimidazole resistance is used for both research and surveys, the ability of different laboratories to obtain similar results was studied through testing of known isolates of cyathostomins, Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia ostertagi, and Cooperia oncophora in programs supported by the EU (Cost B16 and FP6-PARASOL). Initial results showed difficulties in obtaining reproducible and similar data within and between laboratories. A series of ring tests, i.e., simultaneous and coordinated rounds of testing of nematode isolates in different laboratories was subsequently performed. By adopting identical protocols, especially the use of deionized water and making dilutions of thiabendazole in dimethyl sulfoxide in the final ring test, laboratories correctly identified both susceptible and resistant isolates. The protocols for the test and preparation of solutions of thiabendazole are described.

In March 2007 cutaneous nodules were observed in the neck-, shoulder- and back-region of a breeding bull, imported from France in November 2006. The nodules opened spontaneously and produced a haemorrhagic exudate. After suspicion of parafilariosis, the bull was treated with moxidectin, but without effect. Treatment with ivermectin stopped the bleedings. To prevent spread of this imported infection, the bull was euthanised and necropsied. Worms were found in the subcutis which could be identified as Parafilaria bovicola. This is the first diagnosed case of parafilariosis in the Netherlands. In the following period, all cattle on the farm were carefully examined for signs of parafilariosis and provided with permethrin containing ear tags. Till July 2008, no new cases on the farm were observed.

Background Hard ticks have been identified as important vectors of rickettsiae causing the spotted fever syndrome. Tick-borne rickettsiae are considered to be emerging, but only limited data are available about their presence in Western Europe, their natural life cycle and their reservoir hosts. Ixodes ricinus , the most prevalent tick species, were collected and tested from different vegetation types and from potential reservoir hosts. In one biotope area, the annual and seasonal variability of rickettsiae infections of the different tick stages were determined for 9 years. Results The DNA of the human pathogen R. conorii as well as R. helvetica, R. sp. IRS and R. bellii-like were found. Unexpectedly, the DNA of the highly pathogenic R. typhi and R. prowazekii and 4 other uncharacterized Rickettsia spp . related to the typhus group were also detected in I. ricinus . The presence of R. helvetica in fleas isolated from small rodents supported our hypothesis that cross-infection can occur under natural conditions, since R. typhi/prowazekii and R. helvetica as well as their vectors share rodents as reservoir hosts. In one biotope, the infection rate with R. helvetica was ~66% for 9 years, and was comparable between larvae, nymphs, and adults. Larvae caught by flagging generally have not yet taken a blood meal from a vertebrate host. The simplest explanation for the comparable prevalence of R. helvetica between the defined tick stages is, that R. helvetica is vertically transmitted through the next generation with high efficiency. The DNA of R. helvetica was also present in whole blood from mice, deer and wild boar. Conclusion Besides R. helvetica , unexpected rickettsiae are found in I. ricinus ticks. We propose that I. ricinus is a major reservoir host for R. helvetica , and that vertebrate hosts play important roles in the further geographical dispersion of rickettsiae.

Two experiments were performed to determine the anthelmintic effect of some phytogenic feed additives on a mild infection of Ascaris suum in growing and finishing pigs. Usually, an infection of A. suum is controlled by using conventional synthetic drugs. Organic farmers, however, prefer a non-pharmaceutical approach to worm control. Therefore, phytotherapy could be an appropriate alternative. In the first experiment, a commercial available organic starter diet was supplemented with 3% of a herb mixture, adding 1% Thymus vulgaris, 1% Melissa officinalis and 1% Echinacea purpurea to the diet, or with 4% of a herb mixture, thereby adding the mentioned herbs plus 1% Camellia sinensis (black tea). A negative control group (no treatment) and a positive control group (treatment with conventional synthetic drug flubendazole) were included. In the second experiment, the anthelmintic properties against A. suum of three individual herbs, Carica papaya, Peumus boldus and Artemisia vulgaris, each in a dose of 1%, were tested. Pigs were infected with 1000 infective worm eggs each. Each experiment was performed with 32 individually housed growing pigs (8 replicates/treatment), which were monitored for 67 days. It was hypothesized that the herbs would block the cycles of the larvae, thereby preventing the development of adult worms. Therefore, phytogenic feed additives were not supplied during the whole experimental period, but only from the start until D39. Pigs were inoculated with infective worm eggs during five consecutive days (D17–D21). At D67 all pigs were dissected, whereafter livers were checked for the presence of white spots. Also numbers of worms in the small intestine were counted. In experiment 1, the numbers of worm-infected pigs were similar for both the herb supplemented (groups 3 and 4) and the unsupplemented (group 1) treatments (5–6 pigs of 8), while the treatment with flubendazole (group 2) resulted in 0 infected pigs. In experiment 2, herb addition (groups 2–4) did not significantly reduce the number of worm-infected pigs compared to the negative control (group 1). It can be concluded that the tested herb mixtures and individual herbs in the diets of growing and finishing pigs did not decrease the number of pigs which were infected with A. suum, although the herb mixture without black tea and also boldo leaf slightly (P<0.10) reduced the number of worms in the intestinal tract. The tested herb mixtures and individual herbs did not affect the performance of the pigs.

The QLIF project has targeted a variety of issues to make organic animal production (dairy cattle, pig, poultry) more safe, develop alternative methods to promote animal health and improve product quality. This workshop will discuss these aims as well as the QLIF achievements to date. It will also address our way of assessing the quality of our organic farms. We ask the question what the advantages are of doing this by looking at the output of a farm, such as yield, animal welfare and environmental issues. Alternatively, we also want to know what benefits there are in looking at how the farm is organised, via input factors such as housing design, nutrition, management quality. Two invited speakers will state their preference. Legislation, certification and consumer perceptions wil be addressed.

Since East European countries joined the EU, the import of both dairy and beef cows from these countries increased considerably. Based on the identification and registration system it turned out that in the period from May until December 2007 about 200 cows per month were imported from Romania. These animals were either slaughtered immediately or in autumn. In autumn, cysts were noticed both in slaughtered cows during meat inspection and in deceased animals (originated from Romania) during postmortem investigation performed by the Animal Health Service. Because cysts were strongly reminiscent of Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts, samples were sent to the authorized laboratory (National Reference Laboratory of Parasitology), where the reintroduction of this potentially zoonotic parasitic infection has been confirmed. The risks of reintroduction of E. granulosus in the Netherlands are described.

Een onafhankelijke groep Europese parasitologen wil via de website www.esccap.org zonder winstoogmerk informatie verstrekken over parasitaire infecties bij hond en kat in Europa. Hierbij is het belangrijk dat de (ontwormings)adviezen uniform zijn, de informatie “up-to-date” wordt gehouden en dat deze in diverse talen beschikbaar is. De uitgebreide richtlijnen kunnen worden aangepast aan de regionale situatie. De organisatie, genaamd European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP), wordt inmiddels ondersteund door het European Veterinairy Parasitology College (EVPC) en de World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). De vertegenwoordiger vanuit Nederland is Frans van Knapen, hoogleraar in veterinaire volksgezondheid en levensmiddelenhygiene te Utrecht

Three studies were performed to test the efficacy of an ivermectin/closantel injection (200 microg/kg(-1) ivermectin and 5 mg/kg(-1) closantel) in cattle. Two were experimentally induced infections of Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora and Fasciola hepatica in calves, and the third had natural field infections in cattle with several species of gastrointestinal nematodes and F. hepatica. In the two studies with artificial infections, four groups of 8 calves were used. All calves were infected with metacercariae on Day 0. Infection with the nematodes took place on Day 33 in groups 1 and 2 and on Day 54 in groups 3 and 4. Treatment was given to calves of group 1 on Day 63 and to calves of group 3 on Day 84. Calves of groups 2 and 4 served as untreated control groups. Calves of groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed on Day 84, calves of groups 3 and 4 on Day 105. The field study was carried out on a commercial farm in the Netherlands. Six groups of cattle were used. Groups A and B consisted of 10 parasite free calves, introduced to the farm and grazed for four weeks on pastures naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematode larvae and liver fluke metacercariae. Group C were the farmers own calves (15), group D heifers (10), group E dry cows (6) and group F milking cows (20). Treatment was given to animals of group A, C, D and E 10 weeks after housing of group A and B. Animals of groups B and F served as untreated controls. Calves of groups A and B were sacrificed 14 days after treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was calculated on basis of the post-mortem fluke and nematode worm counts in the first two studies and on a combination of post-mortem fluke and nematode worm counts and faecal egg output in the field study. In the two experimental studies, the efficacy of the treatment against F. hepatica was 99.2% and 94.5% for 9-week-old flukes and 98.4% and 99.5% for 12-week-old flukes. For O. ostertagi in both studies efficacy was 100% and against C. oncophora in both Groups 1 efficacy was 84.9% and 99.0% and in Groups 3 85.0% and 99.4%. In the field study, based on the post mortem fluke and nematode worm counts in groups A and B, efficacy against F. hepatica was 98.4%, O. ostertagi 100%, C. oncophora 99.4%, C. punctata 100%, Nematodirus helvetianus 60.8%, Trichuris spp. 100% and against larval intestinal nematodes 100%. The results of the faecal examinations 14 days after treatment confirmed the post-mortem results with 100% reduction of egg output for O. ostertagi, C. punctata, Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp. and low egg output of C. oncophora and N. helvetianus.