Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico

Parasitic diseases are a major challenge for livestock in warm climates, causing significant economic losses, particularly in young animals. Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are highly prevalent, prompting us to investigate factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a...

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Main Authors: León-González C. Y., González-Garduño R., Hernández-Domínguez J. M., Peña-Escalona F. L., Villa-Mancera A., Aguilar-Marcelino L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2025-05-01
Series:Helminthologia
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2025-0003
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author León-González C. Y.
González-Garduño R.
Hernández-Domínguez J. M.
Peña-Escalona F. L.
Villa-Mancera A.
Aguilar-Marcelino L.
author_facet León-González C. Y.
González-Garduño R.
Hernández-Domínguez J. M.
Peña-Escalona F. L.
Villa-Mancera A.
Aguilar-Marcelino L.
author_sort León-González C. Y.
collection DOAJ
description Parasitic diseases are a major challenge for livestock in warm climates, causing significant economic losses, particularly in young animals. Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are highly prevalent, prompting us to investigate factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm, humid climate in Mexico. Fecal samples were analyzed to assess fecal egg count (FEC) dynamics and endoparasite prevalence. The prevalence of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica and paramphistomids) was determined on 12 beef cattle farms in the rainy season from May to September 2022 and July to November 2023. Nematode prevalence was monitored on four farms during 2022 and 2023. In addition, on one farm, the FEC was compared between dewormed and untreated groups. Coprocultures were conducted to obtain third-stage larvae for species identification based on morphology. The prevalence of F. hepatica was 12 % (77/640), while paramphistomids had a prevalence of 20.5 % (131/640). Trichostrongylids showed a prevalence exceeding 30 %, with maximum values reaching 93 %. The predominant species identified from coprocultures were Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., and Haemonchus spp. Dewormed calves exhibited similar nematode eggs per gram of feces (EPG) to the untreated group, and nematode EPG in calves tended to decrease with age. In conclusion, age, sex, and farm management practices influence the prevalence of nematodes and trematodes. Nematode prevalence exceeded 30 % for most of the year, while trematode prevalence ranged from 12 % to 20 %.
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spelling doaj-art-48b3202a4e7543198d1b2374c522ff132025-08-20T03:18:27ZengSciendoHelminthologia1336-90832025-05-01621303910.2478/helm-2025-0003Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of MexicoLeón-González C. Y.0González-Garduño R.1Hernández-Domínguez J. M.2Peña-Escalona F. L.3Villa-Mancera A.4Aguilar-Marcelino L.5Unidad Regional Universitaria Sursureste, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo,Teapa, Tabasco, MéxicoUnidad Regional Universitaria Sursureste, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo,Teapa, Tabasco, MéxicoUnidad Regional Universitaria Sursureste, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo,Teapa, Tabasco, MéxicoFacultad de Comercio Internacional y Aduanas, Universidad Politécnica de Texcoco,Texcoco de Mora, Estado de México, MéxicoFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla,Tecamachalco75460, MexicoCentro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, MexicoParasitic diseases are a major challenge for livestock in warm climates, causing significant economic losses, particularly in young animals. Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are highly prevalent, prompting us to investigate factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm, humid climate in Mexico. Fecal samples were analyzed to assess fecal egg count (FEC) dynamics and endoparasite prevalence. The prevalence of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica and paramphistomids) was determined on 12 beef cattle farms in the rainy season from May to September 2022 and July to November 2023. Nematode prevalence was monitored on four farms during 2022 and 2023. In addition, on one farm, the FEC was compared between dewormed and untreated groups. Coprocultures were conducted to obtain third-stage larvae for species identification based on morphology. The prevalence of F. hepatica was 12 % (77/640), while paramphistomids had a prevalence of 20.5 % (131/640). Trichostrongylids showed a prevalence exceeding 30 %, with maximum values reaching 93 %. The predominant species identified from coprocultures were Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., and Haemonchus spp. Dewormed calves exhibited similar nematode eggs per gram of feces (EPG) to the untreated group, and nematode EPG in calves tended to decrease with age. In conclusion, age, sex, and farm management practices influence the prevalence of nematodes and trematodes. Nematode prevalence exceeded 30 % for most of the year, while trematode prevalence ranged from 12 % to 20 %.https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2025-0003endoparasitesgastrointestinal nematodesdynamicspopulationprevalence
spellingShingle León-González C. Y.
González-Garduño R.
Hernández-Domínguez J. M.
Peña-Escalona F. L.
Villa-Mancera A.
Aguilar-Marcelino L.
Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
Helminthologia
endoparasites
gastrointestinal nematodes
dynamics
population
prevalence
title Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
title_full Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
title_fullStr Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
title_short Factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre-weaning calves in a warm humid climate of Mexico
title_sort factors affecting the prevalence of endoparasites in pre weaning calves in a warm humid climate of mexico
topic endoparasites
gastrointestinal nematodes
dynamics
population
prevalence
url https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2025-0003
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