Comparison of the effects of infection with Trichostrongylus colubriformis, T. vitrinus and T. rugatus in Merino lambs

Abstract Groups of six worm-free Merino lambs were infected with 100 000 larvae of T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, T. rugatus or a mixture of the three species and were slaughtered 21 days later. Nematodes were distributed predominantly in the first 3 m of the small intestine where they caused subtotal villus atrophy. T. vitrinus caused severe erosion of the epithelium; erosion was less severe with T. colubriformis infections and mild with T. rugatus infections. Plasma concentrations of albumin declined during the experiment and were most marked in sheep infected with T. vitrinus . Plasma phosphate concentrations declined during infection with all three species, while plasma concentrations of globulin and calcium declined only in sheep infected with T. vitrinus . Food intake was reduced in all groups, but was most marked with sheep infected with T. vitrinus. T. vitrinus appeared to be more pathogenic than the other species.