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Determinants of Eimeria and Campylobacter infection dynamics in UK domestic sheep : the role of co-infection

Al-neama, RT; Bown, K; Blake, DP; Birtles, RJ

Determinants of Eimeria and Campylobacter infection dynamics in UK domestic sheep : the role of co-infection Thumbnail


Authors

RT Al-neama

K Bown

DP Blake



Abstract

Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species is a well-recognized disease of livestock. Enteric Eimeria infections are common, but disease usually only manifests when infection intensity is abnormally high. Campylobacter species are important zoonotic enteric bacterial pathogens for which livestock are important reservoir hosts. The diversity and epidemiology of ovine Eimeria and Campylobacter infections on two farms in north-western England were explored through a 24-month survey of shedding in sheep feces. Most animals were infected with at least one of 10 different Eimeria species, among which E. bakuensis and E. ovinoidalis were most common. An animal's age and the season of sampling were associated with the probability and intensity of Eimeria infection. Season of sampling was also associated with the probability of Campylobacter infection. Interestingly, higher intensities of Eimeria infections were significantly more common in animals not co-infected with Campylobacter. We explored the determinants of E. bakuensis and E. ovinoidalis infections, observing that being infected with either significantly increased the likelihood of infection with the other. The prevalence of E. ovinoidalis infections was significantly lower in sheep infected with Campylobacter. Recognition that co-infectors shape the dynamics of parasite infection is relevant to the design of effective infection control programmes.

Citation

Al-neama, R., Bown, K., Blake, D., & Birtles, R. (2021). Determinants of Eimeria and Campylobacter infection dynamics in UK domestic sheep : the role of co-infection. Parasitology, 148(5), 623-629. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182021000044

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 5, 2021
Online Publication Date Jan 13, 2021
Publication Date Apr 1, 2021
Deposit Date Apr 15, 2021
Publicly Available Date May 6, 2021
Journal Parasitology
Print ISSN 0031-1820
Electronic ISSN 1469-8161
Publisher Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Volume 148
Issue 5
Pages 623-629
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182021000044
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182021000044
Related Public URLs http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PAR
Additional Information Additional Information : ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 1469-8161 **Article IDs: pubmed: 33541446; pii: S0031182021000044 **History: published 13-01-2021

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