Genetic and genomic analysis of Belgian Blue's susceptibility for psoroptic mange.

Background: Psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes ovis mites, is affecting Belgian Blue cattle's welfare and production potential. The Belgian Blue cattle-known for its high degree of muscling, low feed conversion ratio and high beef quality-is highly susceptible for this disease.

Results: In this study, we phenotyped 1975 Belgian Blue cattle from more than 100 different groups on commercial beef farms for their psoroptic mange susceptibility.

Dermal immune responses against Psoroptes ovis in two cattle breeds and effects of anti-inflammatory dexamethasone treatment on the development of psoroptic mange.

Psoroptic mange is a common disease of livestock, caused by Psoroptes ovis. Compared to Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle, the Belgian Blue (BB) cattle breed is highly susceptible to the infestation. However, the mechanism for this difference is still unclear.

Anthelmintic resistance and common worm control practices in sheep farms in Flanders, Belgium.

In contrast to many other European countries, no data were available on the presence of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep in Belgium. A faecal egg count reduction test was performed in 26 sheep flocks in Flanders, Northern Belgium. Results indicated widespread resistance against benzimidazoles (albendazole, fenbendazole and mebendazole), with treatment failure on all 8 farms investigated.

Resistance against macrocyclic lactones in Psoroptes ovis in cattle.

Background: Psoroptic mange is an important disease in Belgian Blue cattle. Treatment failure of macrocyclic lactones against Psoroptes ovis has been reported, but clear evidence of in vivo resistance is lacking. This study assessed the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone products on 16 beef farms in Belgium and the Netherlands in vivo and in vitro.

A Bayesian evaluation of two dip-stick assays for the on-site diagnosis of infection in calves suspected of clinical giardiasis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate two commercially available dip-stick assays for the diagnosis of Giardia infections in faecal samples from calves suspected of clinical giardiasis. The dip-stick assays provide an on-site and hence quick alternative to laboratory diagnosis. A three-test Bayesian model was used, including the test results of the Coris Giardia strip (Coris Bioconcept, Gembloux, Belgium), the Speed Giardia or BVT dip-stick (Bio Veto Test/Virbac, La Seyne sur Mer, France), and the Meridian immunofluorescence assay (IFA: Meridian Diagnostics Inc.

The effect of a fenbendazole treatment on cyst excretion and weight gain in calves experimentally infected with Giardia duodenalis.

A total of 28 Holstein-Friesian calves were experimentally infected with 10(5)Giardia duodenalis cysts. Eleven days later, all animals were allocated into two groups of 14 animals each, based on the average pre-treatment cyst counts. Treatment was randomly assigned to one of the two groups, and all animals in the treatment group received a daily oral dosage of 15mg fenbendazole per kg bodyweight during 3 consecutive days.

Field validity and feasibility of four techniques for the detection of Trichuris in simians: a model for monitoring drug efficacy in public health?

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths, such as Trichuris trichiura, are of major concern in public health. Current efforts to control these helminth infections involve periodic mass treatment in endemic areas. Since these large-scale interventions are likely to intensify, monitoring the drug efficacy will become indispensible.