Background: Carangidae is a family of ray-finned fish within the order Carangiformes which are invaded by different parasite species and the rate of parasitism changed regarding different factors. This study aimed to provide information about the relationship between fish size and sex on the parasites that infect fish within the family Carangidae in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 90 Carangoides caeruleopinnatus specimens were collected from the Red Sea. The size of the fish was taken in grams (for weights) and centimeters (for lengths), respectively, as well as fish sex was determined. Fish organs were examined for parasitic infection.&nbsp; 
 
Result: There is a relationship between the length, weight and sex of fish hosts on the incidence of parasitic infection in the examined fish. Larger fish size is heavily parasitized than smaller ones which provide a greater surface for infection. In addition, the mean weight of uninfected samples was considerably higher than infected which suggested a weight loss because of parasitic infection. Parasitism in fish has been reported to be sex-biased, with males suffering greater susceptibility than female fish. This study reflects the rate of parasitism in the coastal trevally, Carangoides caeruleopinnatus, concerning fish length as well as their sex.

&nbsp;

Digenetic Parasite Diversity of the Coastal Trevally Fish, Carangoides caeruleopinnatus: Factors Influencing Parasitism

<div>Background: Broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) is a major threat to faba bean and an important danger parasite. An intercropping is a necessity to curb the spread and progress of the parasite before it leads to much more economic losses. The current study was aimed to evaluate intercropping of fenugreek with faba bean under two plant densities of both crops on broomrape incidence to increase faba bean yield, land usage and economic return in heavy soil infestation of broomrape. 
 
Methods: This study was carried out at Giza Agricultural Research Station (Lat. 30&deg;00&prime;30&Prime; N, Long. 31&deg;12&prime;43&Prime; E, 26 m a.s.l), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. During the winter season of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, sixteen treatments were the combinations between two ridge widths (60 &ldquo;narrow&rdquo; and 120 cm &ldquo;wide&rdquo;) and six cropping systems (50% faba bean + 50% fenugreek, 100% faba bean + 50% fenugreek, 50% faba bean + 100% fenugreek, 100% faba bean + 100% fenugreek, 50% sole faba bean and 100% sole faba bean), as well as sole plantings of fenugreek under heavy soil infestation of broomrape. A split-plot design with three replicates was used. Ridge widths were assigned in the main plots and cropping systems were arranged in sub plots.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Growing faba bean plants in wide ridges had physical barriers with stamping of the vascular system against the parasite. 50% faba bean + 100% fenugreek had higher soil total phenols in faba bean rhizosphere than the others. Growing 50% faba bean + 100% fenugreek in wide ridges had lower number of spikes per m2 and spikes dry weight per m2, meanwhile, growing 100% faba bean + 100% fenugreek in wide ridges had higher seed yields of both crops per ha, land usage and economic return. Growing two rows of faba bean (100% of sole cropping) in both sides of wide ridge (120 cm width) with four rows of fenugreek (100% of sole cropping) in middle of the ridge could be an integrated control strategy to increase faba bean productivity, land usage and economic return under heavily soil infested of broomrape.</div>

<div>Cropping Systems of Fenugreek with Faba Bean to Reduce Broomrape Infestation&nbsp;</div>

<div>Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in goats is a serious and widely distributed problem. Diarrhoea, moderate or severe, though a result of various factors involving feed, fodder, seasons and state of gut physiology of digestion, is a common symptom in goats infested with GI parasites, the nematodes and coccidia. Intensity of diarrhoea corresponds to quantum and type of parasitism.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the present study, 1451 faecal samples collected from goats of different ages (&lt;3 M, &gt;3-6 M, &gt;6-12 M and &gt;12 M) were categorized as normal, lumpy and diarrheic based on their consistency and were processed for parasitic infections. The GI parasitic load was quantified by faecal eggs/oocysts counting (FEC and FOC) per gram of faeces through the modified Mac-master technique. Identification of parasites was based on the morphology of third-stage larvae procured by coproculture of randomly selected positive samples. FEC/FOC data (strongyle and coccidian), being skewed and uneven, were log-transformed to normalize. The transformed data [loge (100+n)] was analyzed statistically and results were interpreted.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Means of FEC and FOC in three type of faecal samples viz. normal, lumpy and diarrheic, were significantly different. Similarly, the effect of age on FEC and FOC was significant. The interaction between animals age &times; faecal sample type was significant in coccidian and non-significant in strongyle infection. The results were discussed to support the hypothesis that faecal consistency was a measure of coccidian and strongyle worm load in goats and can be a basis of targeted selective treatment.</div>

​Faecal Consistency: A Measure of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Goats

<div>Parasitism is a common problem for mithun (Bos frontalis) resulting in production losses in terms of meat and milk. Prevalence of ectoparasites infestation including Rhipicephalus microplus, Ambylomma testuidinarium, Ixodes ovatus and I. acutitarsus, has been reported based on taxonomic studies and PCR amplification of conserved gene. Different gastrointestinal helminth like Haemonchus contortus, Mecistocirrus digitatus, Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Trichuris spp s, Thelazia species, Strongyloides papillosus, different amphistomes and Fasciola gigantica were also reported from mithun from India. Among filarial worms, Setaria digitata was &nbsp;recorded from peritoneal cavity of mithun and its molecular confirmation was done based on PCR amplification of marker genes. Tapeworm infestation viz. Moniezia expansa, M. benedeni, hydatid cyst and Cysticercus tenuicollis, were also commonly occurred in mithun. Enteric protozoa like different species of Eimeria, Cryptospordium species, Balantidium coli, has been diagnosed based on morphological identification sporulated oocysts and developmental stages found on faecal examination. Another obligate intracellular parasites Toxoplasma gondii, was also diagnosed based on ELISA and modified agglutination test. An integrated approach incorporating deworming, good livestock management and optimum feeding management practice coupled with vaccination programme will make successful parasite control programme in near future.</div>

<div>Parasites of mithun (Bos frontalis) in North Eastern hilly region of India-A review</div>

<div>Background: One cause of fish disease is the Argulus parasite. Both male and female Argulus were found to infect fish. This study aims to determine the percentage difference of male and female Argulus that infect Cyprinidae in Magelang Regency.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study used a survey method. The independent variables in this study are carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), comet goldfish (Carassius auratus), koi fish (C. carpio koi) and the sex of the Argulus parasite. The dependent variable of this study was the sex percentage of the Argulus parasite. The data analysis was done using analysis of variance (ANOVA) then followed by Duncan&rsquo;s multiple range test to find out the differences between treatments. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The first ANOVA result showed no significant difference (p&gt;0.05), the second ANOVA showed significantly different results (p&lt;0.05) and the third ANOVA reveals no significantly different percentage (p&gt;0.05). The highest infestation rate of male Argulus japonicus is found in koi fish (C. carpio koi) is 60% and the lowest is in comet goldfish, which is 38.46%. Whereas infestation of female A. japonicus in carp, goldfish, comet goldfish and koi fish also obtained a similar result.</div>

The Percentage of Male and Female Argulus Infesting Cyprinidae Fish in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

<div>Background: Broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) is a major biotic stress of faba bean and affects the yield adversely. The impact of intercropping to curb the spread and progress of parasite was tested by using two faba bean cultivars under heavily soil infested conditions of broomrape. The present study was aimed to evaluate intercropping of fenugreek, flax, garlic or radish with two faba bean cultivars on broomrape incidence to increase faba bean yield, land usage and economic return in heavy soil infestation of broomrape. 
 
Methods: This study was carried out at Giza Agricultural Research Station (Lat. 30&deg;00&prime;30&Prime; N, Long. 31&deg;12&prime;43&Prime; E, 26 m a.s.l), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.&nbsp;During winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, the treatments were the combinations of two faba bean cultivars (Nubaria 1 and Nubaria 2) and four intercrops (fenugreek, flax, garlic and radish), as well as sole plantings of all the tested crops under heavily infestation of broomrape were tested in field conditions. A split-plot design with three replicates was used. Faba bean cultivars were assigned in the main plots and intercropping and sole plantings of faba bean were arranged in sub plots.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results showed that Nubaria 2 had two mechanisms to broomrape offensive, mainly including cell wall build-up and stamping of vascular tissues. It also had higher soil oxalic and ascorbic acid concentrations than Nubaria 1. Sole Nubaria 1 rhizosphere had higher soil formic acid whereas, fenugreek + Nubaria 2 had higher soil oxalic, ascorbic and salicylic acids concentrations in faba bean rhizosphere. Lower number of spikes per m2 and their dry weight per m2 were obtained by radish + Nubaria 2 followed by flax + Nubaria 2. Radish + Nubaria 2 recorded higher land equivalent ratio and economic return followed by flax + Nubaria 2. Growing one row of radish or flax between two rows of Nubaria 2 in ridges 60 cm width could be an integrated control strategy to increase faba bean productivity, land usage and economic return under heavily soil infested with broomrape.</div>

<div>Impact of Intercropping of Different Crops with Two Faba Bean Cultivars on Infestation with Broomrape&nbsp;</div>

<div>Background: FAffaMAlanCHArt (FAMACHA) is a technique for treating the animals infested with gastrointestinal parasites by using clinical anaemia as the determinant. The test is based on the assessment of colour variation of the conjunctival mucous membrane.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the present study FAMACHA has been standardized and used to correlate the anaemic status of goats with faecal egg count (gastro intestinal parasites) and blood profile. On the basis of FAMACHA score and faecal egg count, the goats were treated with benzimidazole compound and macrocyclic lactone.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The result indicated significant (P&lt;0.05) reduction in the faecal egg count of Haemonchus spp from 1200&plusmn;155.76 to 525&plusmn;75, Strongyloides spp from 469.57&plusmn;77.37 to 78.26&plusmn;33.83 and Eimeria spp from 900&plusmn;240.05 to 195.65&plusmn;55.34 respectively. FAMACHA score of anaemic goats improved from 4.08&plusmn;0.11 to 3.2&plusmn;0.13. Mean haemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) improved from 8.33 to 8.99, 22.66 to 24.86, 13.73 to 14.76 and 18029 to 19894, respectively which indicated clinical improvement. Highly significant (P&lt;0.01) correlation was observed between the FAMACHA score and the haemoglobin level. It could be concluded that FAMACHA is a very handy tool to detect anaemic status of the animals and correlate with gastrointestinal parasitic load.</div>

Use of FAMACHA to Detect Anaemia and Control of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Goats of A and N Islands, India

<div>Background: The groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella is an important pest of several legume crops which causes 50 to 100 per cent yield loss in India. The exploration of indigenous natural enemies is crucial to the success of every biological control strategy. Besides, alternative host plants act as a source of both herbivorous pests and their natural enemies. In this view, occurrence of GLM and their parasitic fauna on groundnut, alternate leguminous hosts viz., redgram and babchi were recorded. 
 
Methods: Survey on damage potential of GLM and their parasitic fauna were recorded on groundnut at Sivagangai and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu, India during 2016 to 2018. Survey was also conducted to find the damage potential of A. modicella on alternate leguminous hosts viz., redgram, babchi and their parasitic fauna at Coimbatore district. The damage potential of A. modicella, per cent parasitization and parasitoid emergence were assessed from A. modicella infested groundnut, redgram and babchi leaves.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Severe incidence of A. modicella was recorded as 98.10% (2016 to 2017) and 98.45% (2017 to 2018) at Sivagangai district. The parasitization of GLM was also found higher at Sivagangai recording 46.67% in both the years which was positively related with the pest population. 13 hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to eight families were recorded. Among them, Avga choaspes Nixon recorded high per cent parasitoid emergence (20.00%). Furthermore, GLM incidence on redgram and babchi indicated the highest damage potential of 38.20 and 34.50 per cent and parasitization of 33.33 and 20.00 per cent, respectively during 2017 to 2018.</div>

Incidence of Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and its Parasitic Fauna on Alternate Leguminous Hosts in Tamil Nadu, India

<div>Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in pigs is often associated with subclinical infections leading to poor weight gain and reduced market value. One of the most significant risks is pigs being the host for many zoonotic parasites and thereby threatening human health. Despite the epidemiological data being available from different states of the country, records from Andhra Pradesh are scanty. Hence, a study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free range pigs of Proddatur municipality Andhra Pradesh, India. 
 
Methods: About 142 fecal samples were collected from free range pigs slaughtered in four localities of Proddatur municipality over a period of six months. The fecal samples were later subjected for parasitological examination and the tissue pieces of intestines collected from the slaughtered animals with the embedded parasites and those with pathological changes were subjected to histological staining procedure for identification. 
 
Result: Fecal examination revealed 80.98% (115/142) positivity for parasitic ova or occysts. About eleven species of parasites were identified; of them nine were helminths (83.8%) and two were protozoan (10.5%) parasites. Infection with Ascarops spp. (28.2%) and Fasciolopsis buski (17.6%) was found to be significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher. The tissue sections of the intestines with pathological lesions revealed embedded parasites in intestinal mucosa infiltrated with eosinophils and mononuclear cells. The higher prevalence of GI parasites in slaughtered pigs in Proddatur region rises concern towards the impact on the health of pigs and as well as pork consumers suggesting a strategic control for GI parasites in pig farming.</div>

Prevalence and Pathology of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Free Range Pigs

Background: This study aims to identify risk factors for Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks&rsquo; infestation in South Gujarat&rsquo;s cattle and explore its implications on Anaplasma marginale. 
 
Methods: An approach was employed to retrieve the crucial insights from the owners and examinations of 2305 cattle (crossbred=1495, indigenous=810) of South Gujarat, India. Species specific PCR was used to detect 576 bp of msp5 gene of A. marginale in the oviposited ticks.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Crossbred cattle (73.91%) had higher tick prevalence than indigenous ones (55.80%), with R. (B.) microplus being the dominant species. Highest tick infestation was noted in cattle &gt;3 years (74.43%), followed by &lt;1 year (70.23%) and 1-3 years old (55.60%). Ticks collected from crossbred exhibited higher prevalence of A. marginale compared to indigenous cattle. Significantly highest (p &gt;0.05) ticks infestation rate was noted in cattle with pale conjunctiva, poor body condition and black coat colour. Infection rate of both the parasites was highest during summer, followed by monsoon and winter. Kachcha house and earthen floor favoured the survival of the pathogen. Owners in surveyed regions combat tick infestations using mechanical (7.69%), chemical (83.51%) and herbal/no treatments (10.07%). These findings emphasize the intricate link between tick infestations and A. marginale infection, offering crucial insights for cattle health management.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus Infestation and its Implications in Anaplasma marginale Infection among Cattle in South Gujarat, India