Cooperia

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Cooperia spp.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nematoda
Class Chromadorea
Order Rhabditida
Sub-order Strongylida
Super-family Trichostrongyloidea
Family Cooperiidae
Genus Cooperia
Species C. punctata, C. oncophora, C. pectinata

Overview

Cooperia spp. are largely considered mild pathogens however there are a few species that are of greater veterinary importance, namely; C. punctata and C. pectinata. These species are pariste of cattle and small ruminants and most species of this genus prefer warmer climates.

Identification

Cooperia worms have a distinctive red colouration and a coiled appearance. The adults are between 5-8mm in length and males can be recognised by the presence of a dipropotionately large bursa at the anterior end. The worms have 16 gut cells and a square ended anterior in the females, containing refractile bodies. The tail end of the Cooperia species has one of two forms dependant on the species, in those like C. oncophora the tail tapers to a point where as in those resmbling C. curticei the sheath tip is finely pointed and contains refractile bodies. Eggs can usually be identified under microsscopic examination due to the almost parallel walls of the egg.

Life Cycle

Cooperia spp. have a typical trichostrongylid life cycle with the exception that they do not feed on blood. Once ingested the larvae penetrate the mucosa of the proximal third of the small intestine where they will remain into adulthood.

Epidemiology

Most species of veterinary significant can be found worldwide though they are more prevalent in areas with warmer climates.

Pathogenesis

Large parasite burdens of C. punctata and C. pectinata can cause severe diarrhoea, anorexia and emaciation without the presence of anaemia as they do not feed on the hosts blood. Other species are considered mild pathogens but will also cause poor weight gain and productivity. These species are often present as secondary pathogens after infection with more pathogenic Ostertagia and Haemonchus species.