Bonuostomum (Hookworm of Ruminents)

Hookworms of Ruminants

Bunostomum:

Major Specie	Host	Location/Site	Distribution
B. phlebotomum	Cattle/Ruminant	Small intestine	Worldwide
Bunostomum trigonocephalum	sheep and goats

Identification

Gross:

·         Bunostomum is one of the larger nematodes of the small intestine of ruminants, being 1.0-3.0 cm long and characteristically hooked at the anterior end.

Microscopic:

·         The large buccal capsule bears on the margin a pair of cutting plates and internally a large dorsal cone.

Life Cycle:

Infection with the L₃ may be percutaneous or oral, only the former being followed by pulmonary migration. The prepatent period ranges from 1 to 2 month. (see canine hook worm’s life cycle)

Pathogenesis and Clinical Signs:

·         The adult worms are blood suckers

·         Infections by 100-500 worms will produce anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, loss of weight and occasionally diarrhea. In calves, skin penetration of the larvae may be accompanied by foot stamping and signs of itching.

Diagnosis:

• Clinical History with epidemiology
• Clinical signs
• Coproscopy:

Treatment and Control:

• The prophylactic anthelmintic regimens practised for Ostertagia or Haemonchus are usually sufficient to control this parasite.
• Otherwise treatment of out­breaks should be accompanied by measures to im­prove hygiene, particularly with regard to the disposal of manure, and by the provision of dry bedding for housed or yarded animals

Aeriostomum

• Agriostomum vryburgi is a common hookworm of the large intestine of cattle and buffaloes in Asia and South America. Its life cycle is probably direct and its pathogenicity, although unknown, presumably de­pends on its haematophagic habits.

Hookworms in man:

• Two hookworms, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, occur in man in the tropics.
• Their pathogenesis is similar to that of A. caninum, but transmammary infection does not occur. 

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