Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of parasitic helminths and ivermectin treatment on clinical parameters in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Limited information exists on serum biochemistry and haematology of the European wild boar, and few correlations have been found between parasitic burden and clinical parameters in this species. Naturally infected wild boars were experimentally treated to study the effect of nematode parasites and ivermectin treatment on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin reaction and haematological and serum biochemical parameters. White blood cells decreased in untreated wild boars, whereas triglyceride, lactate and creatinine concentrations increased in ivermectin-treated wild boars, and total protein and aspartate aminotransferase activity increased in both groups. Band neutrophils variation was positively correlated with the number of total adult parasites. Band neutrophils, creatinine and total protein variations were negatively correlated with both total egg counts and Metastrongylus eggs per gram variations. Alkaline phosphatase activity showed a negative correlation with Ascaris sp. eggs. The PHA skin reaction was positively correlated with the number of total adult parasites in untreated wild boars and with Metastrongylus sp. eggs of all wild boars at time 0. Two models including leukocytic and serum biochemical parameters were also highly correlated with the variation of Metastrongylus sp. eggs. Clinical parameters were thus in our study affected by helminth parasitism in the European wild boar, particularly those related to nutrients uptake, physical condition and immune response. Therefore, they could be useful in studies on subclinical effects of parasites, and parasitic burden must be considered when assessing the physical condition of European wild boars through haematological and serum biochemical parameters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ali MMM, Mukhtar MM, Baraka OZ, Homeida MMA, Kheir MM, Mackenzie CD (2002) Immunocompetence may be important in the effectiveness of Mectizan (ivermectin) in the treatment of human onchocerciasis. Acta Trop 84:49–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali MM, Baraka OZ, AbdelRahman SI, Sulaiman SM, Williams JF, Homeida MM, Mackenzie CD (2003) Immune responses directed against microfilariae correlate with severity of clinical onchodermatitis and treatment history. J Infect Dis 187:714–717

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper PJ, Schwartz LB, Irani AM, Awadzi K, Guderian RH, Nutman TB (2002) Association of transient dermal mastocytosis and elevated plasma tryptase levels with development of adverse reactions after treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin. J Infect Dis 186:1307–1313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De la Muela N, Hernández-de-Luján S, Ferré I (2001) Helminths of wild boar in Spain. J Wildl Dis 37:840–843

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DelGiudice GD, Mech LD, Kunkel KE, Gese EM, Seal US (1992) Seasonal patterns of weight, hematology, and serum characteristics of free-ranging female white-tailed deer in Minnesota. Can J Zool 70:974–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández de Mera IG, Gortázar C, Vicente J, Höfle U, Fierro Y (2003) Wild boar helminths: risks in animal translocations. Vet Parasitol 115:335–341

  • Fernández de Mera IG, Gortázar C, Vicente J, Höfle U, Fierro Y (2004) Efficacy of an in-feed preparation of ivermectin against helminths in the European wild boar. Parasitol Res 92:133–136

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández del Palacio MJ, Montes Cepeda AM, Alonso de Vega FD (1985) Relación entre la fórmula leucocitaria y parasitación gastrointestinal en el ganado caprino. An Vet Murcia 1:137–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Finco DR (1997) Kidney function. In: Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML (eds) Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals, 5th edn. Academic, San Diego, pp 485–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzmann AW, LeReche RE (1978) Alaskan moose blood studies with emphasis on condition evaluation. J Wildl Manage 42:334–351

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gortázar C, Herrero J, Villafuerte R, Marco J (2000) Historical examination of the status of large mammals in Aragon, Spain. Mammalia 64:411–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanni KD, Mazet JAK, Gulland FMD, Estes J, Staedler M, Murray MJ, Miller M, Jessup DA (2003) Clinical pathology and assessment of pathogen exposure in Southern and Alaskan sea otters. J Wildl Dis 39:837–850

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herd RP, Kociba GJ (1985) Effect of ivermectin on equine blood constituents. Equine Vet J 17:142–144

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Höfle U, Vicente J, Nagore D, Hurtado A, Peña A, de la Fuente J, Gortázar C (2004) The risk of translocating wildlife. Pathogenic infection with Theileria sp. and Elaeophora elaphi in an imported red deer. Vet Parasitol 126:387–395

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolb E, Leo M, Dittrich H, Golze M, Siebert P (1996) Einfluss des Befalls mit Parascaris equorum und Gasterophilus intestinalis auf Laborparameter bei Pferden. Prakt Tierarzt 77:999–1000

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer JW, Hoffmann WE (1997) Clinical enzymology. In: Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML (eds) Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals, 5th edn. Academic, San Diego, pp 303–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutzer E, Prosl H (1979) Zur anthelminthischen Wirkung von Fenbendazol (Panacur) bei Rothirsch (Cervus elaphus) und Wildschwein (Sus scrofa). Wien Tierarztl Monatsschr 66:295–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutzer E, Pointner J, Prosl H (1974) Einsatzmöglichkeiten von parbendazole bei reh-, rot- und schwarzwild. Tierarztl Umsch 29:268–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Njoo FL, Hack CE, Oosting J, Luyendijk L, Stilma JS, Kijlstra A (1994) C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 are elevated in onchocerciasis patients after ivermectin treatment. J Infect Dis 170:663–668

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purohit K, Bhowmik MK, Roy S, Singh AS, Mukhopadhayay SK (2003) Some haematobiochemical studies on Garole sheep infected with amphistome parasites. Indian J Anim Sci 73:1120–1122

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajkovic-Janje R, Manojlovic L, Gojmerac T (2004) In-feed 0.6% ivermectin formulation for treatment of wild boar in the Moslavina hunting ground in Croatia. Eur J Wildl Res 50:41–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reina D, Anderson L, Habela M, Weatherley AJ, Navarrete I (2000) Efficacy of doramectin against naturally acquired nematode infection in Iberian swine. Vet Parasitol 89:139–147

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosell C, Fernández-Llario P, Herrero J (2001) El Jabalí (Sus scrofa). Galemys 13:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Sartorelli P, Manfredi MT, Zaffaroni E, Lanfranchi P (1995) Rilievi ematochimici ed elminti abomasali polmonari nello stambecco (Capra ibex). BIPAS 12:63–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Savanur NH, Honnegowda Krishnappa G, Sastry KNV, Narayana K (1996) Effect of ivermectin on lymphocyte status in rabbits. Indian Vet J 73:501–503

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shender LA, Botzier RG, George TL (2002) Analysis of serum and whole blood values in relation to helminth and ectoparasites infections of feral pigs in Texas. J Wildl Dis 38:385–394

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ubelaker JE, Wilkerson LD, Leveson JE, Marengo-Rowe AJ (1993) Blood chemical changes in cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus, infected with Parastrongylus costaricensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongyloidea). Trans Am Microsc Soc 112:217–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhlír J, Volf P (1992) Ivermectin: its effect on the immune system of rabbits and rats infested with ectoparasites. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 34:325–326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vicente J, Segalés J, Höfle U, Balasch M, Plana-Durán J, Domingo M, Gortázar C (2004) Epidemiological study on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vet Res 35:243–253

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wildenburg G, Korten S, Mainuka P, Büttner DW (1998) Ivermectin influence on the mast cell activity in nodules of onchocerciasis patients. Trop Med Int Health 3:918–925

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolkers J, Wensing T, Groot Bruinderink GW, Schonewille AT (1993) Nutritional status of wild boar (sus scrofa): II. Body fat reserves in relation to haematology and blood chemistry. Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol 105:539–542

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolkers J, Wensing T, Groot Bruinderink GW, Schonewille JT (1994a) Lungworm and stomach worm infection in relation to body fat reserves and blood composition in wild boar (Sus scrofa). Vet Q 16:193–195

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolkers J, Wensing T, Groot Bruinderink GW, Schonewille JT (1994b) The effect of undernutrition on haematological and serum biochemical variables in wild boar (Sus scrofa). Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol 108:431–437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yong WK, Dobson C (1984) Peripheral blood white cell responses during Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in rats. Int J Parasitol 14:207–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zajicek D, Pav J, Dvorak M, Danek J (1976) Klinicke vysetreni krve cerne zvere (Sus scrofa L.) prirozene invadone parazity po aplikaci anthelminitk. Veterinari Medicina Praha 21:35–44

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was carried out according to current legislation. It was supported by project AGL2001-3947, MCYT, and FEDER and is also a contribution to the agreement between FG-UCLM and Grupo Santander and to the agreement between Yolanda Fierro and the UCLM. J. Vicente had a grant from the JCCM. The authors also wish to thank the collaboration of Dr. Santiago Lavín and the Servei d’Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge of the Autonomous University of Barcelona in the analysis of blood and serum samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales y de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Avda. del Seminario s/n, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain

    Jorge R. López-Olvera

  2. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias Dehesón del Encinar, Consejería de Agricultura, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 45560, Oropesa, Toledo, Spain

    Ursula Höfle

  3. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Joaquín Vicente, Isabel G. Fernández-de-Mera & Christian Gortázar

Authors
  1. Jorge R. López-Olvera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ursula Höfle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joaquín Vicente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Isabel G. Fernández-de-Mera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Christian Gortázar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jorge R. López-Olvera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

López-Olvera, J.R., Höfle, U., Vicente, J. et al. Effects of parasitic helminths and ivermectin treatment on clinical parameters in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa). Parasitol Res 98, 582–587 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0099-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0099-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation