Coccidiosis and Trypanosomiasis in Cattle: Causes, Signs, and Control

Cattle play a vital role in agricultural economies worldwide, providing essential resources such as meat, milk, and labor. However, these remarkable animals are susceptible to diseases that can significantly impact their health and productivity.

Two notable diseases that afflict cattle are coccidiosis and trypanosomiasis. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of coccidiosis and trypanosomiasis, exploring their causes, transmission, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. 

Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle

Coccidiosis disease is a protozoan disease that commonly occurs in cattle in tropical regions. While it is of minor importance in adult animals, it can become a serious issue in young animals. The disease primarily affects the epithelium of the intestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, emaciation, and anemia.

Prevalence: The disease tends to occur when animals, especially young ones, are kept in close confinement, allowing for the buildup of infection from asymptomatic adults.

It is more common in areas with high humidity and rainfall. Stress is also a contributing factor.

Coccidiosis disease in cattle is caused by three types of protozoa: Eimeria zurnii, Eimeria bovis, and Eimeria arloingi (found in shoats).

Transmission of Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle:

Coccidiosis is transmitted from animal to animal through the fecal-oral route. Infected fecal matter can contaminate feed, water, or soil, resulting in cattle contracting the disease by consuming contaminated sources or by licking themselves or other animals.

Transmission occurs through fecal contamination of feed and ingestion of sporulated oocysts from contaminated pastures or water.

Sporulation of oocysts is favored by moist conditions. Seasonal occurrence is observed during winter when calves are introduced to heavily infested pastures, brought together after weaning, moved into confinement fattening units, or fed in small areas for extended periods of cold weather.

Cattle tend to gather around water points, where dirty and wet conditions promote fecal contamination of feed. Predilection sites for coccidiosis in cattle are the epithelium of the ileum, caecum, colon, and rectum.

Clinical Signs of Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle:

The incubation period of the disease ranges from 2 to 4 weeks. In the early stages, mild fever may be observed, but in most clinical cases, the temperature is normal or sub-normal.

The disease is characterized by a sudden onset of severe diarrhea with foul-smelling fluid feces containing mucus and blood. Some cattle may exhibit neurologic symptoms.

Animals affected by coccidiosis disease often have blood-stained feces on their peritoneum and tail, and severe straining during defecation is a common symptom.

Rectal prolapse can also occur due to weakened muscles. Dehydration is common but usually not severe if animals have access to water.

Anemia, weight loss, lack of appetite, subnormal weight gain, and secondary bacterial infections, especially pneumonia, are frequently observed.

Postmortem Findings of Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle:

Postmortem examination of animals affected by coccidiosis reveals a dehydrated and emaciated carcass. Organs appear pale due to anemia, and the superficial mucous membrane of the intestine shows thickening and sloughing. Blood may be seen in the large intestine.

Diagnosis of Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle:

The diagnosis of coccidiosis disease in cattle involves the observation of copious and blood-stained diarrhea, examination of fecal samples to reveal oocysts, and consideration of exposure history.

In the differential diagnosis, diseases such as rinderpest (affects all ages, increased mortality and morbidity, with mouth lesions), salmonellosis or high fever, and intestinal helminthiasis (no blood in diarrhea, low egg counts) should be considered.

Treatment and Control of Coccidiosis Disease in Cattle:

Coccidiosis disease in cattle can be treated using medications such as sulfadimidine or sulfadimidine quinoxaline (best given in drinking water), amprolium, and furazolidone.

To control the spread of coccidiosis disease in cattle, it is necessary to prevent the buildup of coccidian, eliminate moist areas and provide dry ground for calves, and implement prophylactic treatment.

Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle

Trypanosomosis is a group of diseases caused by pathogenic trypanosomes that are transmitted cyclically by tsetse flies (Glossina species) and mechanically by other biting flies.

This disease affects cattle, other domestic animals, and wild animals, although the latter typically do not exhibit accompanying disease and act as reservoirs for infection.

Economic Importance of Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Trypanosomosis disease is prevalent in 37 countries in the tropics where favorable conditions for the tsetse fly vector exist, covering approximately 10 million square kilometers or around 37% of the continent.

This disease poses a significant risk to over 50 million heads of cattle and millions of other livestock, leading to direct losses due to reduced protein production, decreased fertility, abortions, stunted growth in young stock, and loss of traction power for agricultural purposes.

If tsetse flies and trypanosomosis can be controlled or eliminated from Africa, it is projected that the cattle population could increase by over 100 million.

Diseases Caused by Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Trypanosomosis disease in cattle manifests as different conditions:

1. Nagana: Affects cattle in Africa.
2. Sleeping sickness: Affects humans.
3. Surra: Caused by T. evansi and T. equinum, affecting camels and horses.
4. Dourine: Caused by T. equiperdum, an STD in horses.
5. Chagas disease: Caused by T. cruzi, primarily found in South, Central, and parts of North America, affecting certain dominant animals and humans.

Transmission of Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Trypanosomosis is generally transmitted cyclically by Glossina species, including T. brucei, T. virax, and T. congolense. Mechanical transmission occurs for T. evansi through biting flies such as Tabanus, stomoxys, and Haematopota, as well as copulation for T. equiperdum.

Trypanotolerant animals like the Ndama breed in West Africa show resistance, while exotic breeds and zebu cattle are more susceptible.

Cyclical transmission occurs when tsetse flies acquire the infection while feeding on an infected animal, and after a period of 15-21 days, the flies become infective and can remain so for the rest of their lives.

Clinical Signs of Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Clinical signs of trypanosomosis disease vary depending on the species of animal, host susceptibility, and trypanosome species involved. The symptoms are highly variable, and there is no specific syndrome characteristic of the disease. The condition can be acute, chronic, or asymptomatic.

General signs include intermittent fever, progressive anemia, dullness, ocular discharge, abortion or reduced semen production, enlarged lymph nodes (especially the prescapular lymph nodes), inappetence, edema of the throat, abdomen, and legs, reduced immune responses, concurrent infections, reduced milk yield, and progressive weight loss (cachexia). Wild animals generally exhibit resistance to disease and act as important reservoirs of infection.

Postmortem Findings of Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Postmortem examination reveals non-specific lesions such as profound anemia, emaciated carcass, enlarged hemorrhagic lymph nodes, flabby heart, lack of adipose tissue, excessive edema in various tissues, particularly the skin, and cachexia in severe cases. The spleen is often enlarged as well.

Note: Lesions observed in Nagana are primarily due to anemia. Differential diagnosis should include helminthiasis.

Diagnosis of Trypanosomosis Disease in Cattle:

Diagnosing trypanosomosis disease involves considering the history, clinical signs, and postmortem findings, and performing blood smears. Blood smears can be examined as wet or dry smears.

Wet smear observations:

1. T. vivax: Moves rapidly across the microscopic field, monomorphic.
2. T. congolense: Stationary with intermittent twisting movements.
3. T. brucei: Polymorphic, sluggish movement across the microscopic field.

Dry smear observations:

Thick and thin-stained blood smears are prepared and examined. Additionally, serological tests such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) can be employed.

Environmental factors should be taken into account, as areas favorable for Glossina breeding may lead to cattle passing through tsetse fly-infested regions.

Treatment and Control of Trypanosomiasis:

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment approach for trypanosomosis. Diminazine aceturate (veriben), Homidium chloride (Novidium), Homidium bromide (Ethidium), and Isometamidium chloride (Samorin) are commonly used drugs.

Treatment should be administered as early as possible, as reinfection can occur within two weeks after recovery.

Treatment is often carried out on a herd basis to eliminate the infection, especially when dealing with migrating herds. Post-chemotherapy monitoring involves checking for parasitemia and monitoring the re-invasion or presence of tsetse flies.

Chemoprophylaxis is practiced in endemic areas with relatively stable cattle populations. It is typically conducted on a quarterly basis, but for lighter challenges, the treatment interval can be extended to six months.

It is important to be cautious of drug resistance when implementing both chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis, adhering to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Glossina control methods include bush clearing, game destruction, and spraying with insecticides. However, these methods should be used judiciously to minimize environmental damage. Insecticides such as dieldrin and deltamethrin can be applied along river banks, and aerosol sprays may be used as well.

Preventive measures focus on minimizing contact with tsetse flies and employing prophylactic drugs as necessary.

Conclusion

In summary, coccidiosis and trypanosomosis are significant diseases affecting cattle. Coccidiosis primarily impacts young animals, causing diarrhea, emaciation, and anemia. It can be controlled through preventive measures, such as eliminating moist areas and implementing prophylactic treatments.

Trypanosomosis, transmitted by tsetse flies, poses economic challenges and affects both cattle and humans. Control strategies involve chemotherapy, chemoprophylaxis, and Glossina control measures. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for managing these diseases and reducing their impact on livestock populations.