Gastrointestinal helmints infection in beef-calves imported from central district of France

The aim of this study was to investigate on gastrointestinal nematodes infections trends in a stock of imported beef-calves during their first month in the fattening farm.In 2011, ninety-six Limousin calves coming from Central District of France, raised on pasture until weaning (at about 4 months of age), were examined in a fattening unit located in Piemonte region. Calves were checked at three time: at their arriving in farm (T0), after 15 days (T15) and after 30 days (T30). No animal received any antiparasitic drug during the survey. The detection of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes was performed on individual fecal samples by sedimentation-flotation in a high specific weight saline solution and by quantitative methods using Mc Master counting chamber. Prevalence was calculated as the proportion of animals found positive to the qualitative coprological test; abundance was calculated as the arithmetical means of EPG (eggs per gram of faeces) of every sample (positive or negative).At each time of the survey (T0, T15 and T30), 92 out of 96 animal examined were positive for GI helminths with a prevalence of 95.8% (101.23-90.37 CI 95%). GI strongyles infection was the most common during the period (94.8% - 100.23-89.37 CI 95%). This result didn’t include data referred to Nematodirus spp. and Strongyloides papillosus: because their eggs are morphologically identifiable they were considered individually. For Nematodirus spp. and Strongyloides papillosus it has been observed a decline of prevalence (T0-T30) less marked than whipworms. The highest abundance was observed in the period for GI strongyles; the values of abundance for Nematodirus spp., Strongyloides papillosus and whipworms were lowest than GI strongyles ones. For Nematodirus spp. and whipworms, abundances values decreased less importantly than Strongyloides papillosus ones. All differences between T0 and T30 both for prevalence and abundances values were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05).. Data obtained confirm the presence of a diversified parasitic fauna in calves imported from foreign countries, as reported by Tampieri, (2004; L.C.). This is related to grazing origin of animals: on pasture the pressure of infection for GI helminths is high, particularly for GI strongyles.The constant positivity for GI strongyles and the differences in prevalence reduction observed during the period for Nematodirus spp., Strongyloides papillosus and whipworms could be related to the phases of their biological cycle. The decrease of abundance during the study period indicates a spontaneous reduction of the parasitic infections. In order to better understand the parasitic trend and to make decisions about antiparasitic treatments it is necessary a longer period of control.