In vivo m-RNA expression analysis of Microsporum canis secreted subtilisin-like serine proteases in feline dermatophytosis

in Advances in Veterinary Dermatology (2005)

Snail diversity in small water bodies and its potential implication on the epidemiology of fasciolosis in Belgium

Conference (2005)

An improved ELISA technique for the diagnosis of Psoroptes ovis infestations in cattle

Poster (2005)

Biological control of Psoroptes ovis using entomopathogenic fungi

Poster (2005)

Bovine pepsinogen and Prochymosin : Current knowledge, applications and outlines in the management of gastrointestinal worms

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2005), 149(4), 213-228

The characterization of the gastric aspartic proteases and the understanding of their mechanisms of activation led to several applications in many domains as the use of chymosin in cheese industries and ... [more ▼]

The characterization of the gastric aspartic proteases and the understanding of their mechanisms of activation led to several applications in many domains as the use of chymosin in cheese industries and the diagnostic of gastric diseases in humans and animals. Particularly, in cattle, the indirect measurement of pepsinogen activity is largely used for the diagnosis of ostertagiosis. Today, the gastric strongyloses are responsible for serious problems of management or the emergence of parasites resistence towards antihelminthics, and no immediate solution is available. Nevertheless, several tracks are proposed such as a more rational use of antihelminthics by the study of blood pepsinogen. This approach held our attention. The present review describes bovine pepsinogen and prochymosin, with an accent on the zymogen structure, their mechanisms of activation and the methods of blood levels measurement. The manuscript will end on the importance of the problems raised by gastric worms, and on the interest of the measurement of blood pepsinogen in the management of these diseases in cattle. [less ▲]

Management of myiasis: current status and future prospects

in Veterinary Parasitology (2004), 125(1-févr Sp. Iss. SI), 93-104

The management of myiasis in livestock has been an example of the success of modem chemical approaches for parasite control, yet in some cases remains extremely intractable, requiring the development of ... [more ▼]

The management of myiasis in livestock has been an example of the success of modem chemical approaches for parasite control, yet in some cases remains extremely intractable, requiring the development of novel strategies. In addition, the growing and urgent need to develop integrated strategies that enhance the sustainability of livestock production systems drives the search for new techniques [see Int. J. Parasitol. 29 (1999) 7]. The following summary represents a synthesis of a symposium presented at the 19th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, New Orleans, USA, 10-14 August 2003. The coverage began with a review of the need for more subtle economic analysis of the impact of myiasis based on the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for control of bovine hypodermosis in North America. This was followed by a review of the status of chemical control with particular emphasis on the macrocyclic lactones. The outcome of the use of these compounds in a regulated control program for eradication of bovine hypodermosis in EU was surveyed. Similarly, the success of the screwworm eradication program, using the sterile insect technique has shown how effective this approach can be given the appropriate target. Several aspects of the development of newer approaches were surveyed in discussion of newer chemical control products, development of vaccines, use of host genetics, use of predictive simulation modelling and trapping for monitoring and control and the development of new diagnostic approaches for occult infestations. Finally, use of the latest molecular tools for identification of larvae causing myiasis and their use for the identification of species coming from different and distant geographical areas to colonize regions where they have been eradicated was reviewed. [less ▲]

Comparison of three techniques for the serological diagnosis of Neospora caninum in the dog and their use for epidemiological studies

in Veterinary Parasitology (2004), 123(1-2), 25-32

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in our laboratory and used to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in three different dog populations in Belgium: healthy dogs from ... [more ▼]

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in our laboratory and used to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in three different dog populations in Belgium: healthy dogs from cattle farms and urban dogs with or without various neurological disorders. The test was validated and compared with two other tests: an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). The study showed a good correlation between the IFAT and the ELISA developed. When the two tests were compared with the C-ELISA, moderate positive and negative agreement indices were observed. Using our ELISA and the IFAT techniques, a high prevalence was found in farm dogs. This result showed that the neurological symptoms are not usually associated with the Neospora infection. In conclusion, the ELISA developed in our laboratory could replace the IFAT for the screening of a large number of dogs' sera. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

In vitro titration of Theileria parva tick derived stabilates

in Parasitology (2004), 128(Part 2), 131-137

Immunization agairist the protozoan Theileria parva by infection and treatment has proved to be very efficient for the Control Of East Coast fever, an acute and often-fatal lymphoproliferative tick-borlic ... [more ▼]

Immunization agairist the protozoan Theileria parva by infection and treatment has proved to be very efficient for the Control Of East Coast fever, an acute and often-fatal lymphoproliferative tick-borlic disease of cattle in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The immunizing dose of live T. Parva sporozites used in this method is usually determined by in vitro titration. An alternative in vivo method of quantitification of sporozoites ill whole tick-derived stabilites is proposed. The method consists of incubating serially diluted T. Parva stabilities with boville peripheral blood lymphocytes, the host cell that is infected naturally. Allowing the cultures to incubate undisturbed for the full cultivation period (10 days) reduced the variability amoung replicate titrations. fungal contaminations were avoided by centrifuging stabilates at 400 g prior to the incubation, which did not precipiate sporozoites significantly. Fungistics, Nysatin and Flucytosine did not appear to interfere with the in vitro development of 2 stabilates but their effect on fungal growth was limited. In vitro titration data were compared to in vivo infection data for 2. In vivo titration of T. parva sporozoites should allow more ethicl and efficient research on the preparation and storage of T. Parva tick-derived stabilates. [less ▲]

Effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on the reproductive performance of West African Dwarf goats.

in Theriogenology (2004), 62(8), 1438-1451

Thirty-six West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used to assess the effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on their reproductive system. Estrous cycles were synchronised and when ... [more ▼]

Thirty-six West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used to assess the effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on their reproductive system. Estrous cycles were synchronised and when confirmed pregnant (n = 31), the does were randomly allocated into control and trypanosome-infected groups. After infection, the animals were carefully observed till parturition. Trypanosome infection caused an increase of rectal temperature, a significant drop in PCV (infected: 23.3 +/- 0.3%; control: 28.5 +/- 0.4%; P < 0.0001) and abortions in 27.8% of the infected does. Kids born from infected does had a lower birth weight than kids born from control goats (0.9 +/- 0.1 kg versus 1.6 +/- 0.1 kg; P < 0.0001). Eight out of 13 kids (61.5%) that were born alive from infected does died during their first week of life. Plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) and progesterone concentrations were lower in the infected animals than in the controls. In general, PAG concentration in does which aborted dropped before abortion. Our results revealed that artificial T. congolense infection affected reproductive performance of WAD goats with abortions, premature births and perinatal losses being observed. Neither transplacental transmission of T. congolense nor histopathological lesions of the placenta could be demonstrated. [less ▲]

Prevalence of Toxocara canis eggs in faecal deposits from pet dogs in Liège, Belgium

Poster (2004)