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[[Category:To Do - Steph]]
{{Taxobox
|name = ''Bunostomum spp. ''
|kingdom = Eukaryota
|sub-kingdom =
|phylum = Nematoda
|super-class =
|class = Secernentea
|sub-class = Rhabditia
|super-order =
|order = Strongylida
|sub-order =
|super-family =
|family = Ancylostomatidae
|sub-family =
|genus = Bunostomum
|species = ''Bunostomum spp.''
}}
Also Known As – '''''Hookworm Dermatitis - Bunostomosis'''''
Caused By – ''Bunostomum phlebotomum – B. trigonocephalum''
==Introduction==
''Bunostomum spp. '' are '''small intestinal [[Endoparasites|endoparasites]] of large and small ruminants and camelids'''. ''B. phlebotomum'' is seen primarily in calves and ''B. trigonocephalum'' in lambs.
They are '''greyish-white worms, 1-3cm in length and stout in stature''', especially when compared to other [[Nematoda|nematodes]]. Their '''anterior end is bent dorsally''' giving them a hooked figuration. The '''buccal capsule is funnel shaped''' and bordered with a '''pair of chitinous cutting plates''' which serve to attach the parasite to the intestinal mucosa. They are usually only found in the '''proximal few metres of the small intestine.'''
Eggs of ''Bunostomum spp. '' are '''irregular and ellipsoid, thin shelled and have 4-8 blastomeres'''.
These parasites can cause both ''' [[Alimentary System - Anatomy & Physiology|gastrointestinal disease]] and also [[Skin Anatomy & Physiology|integumentary damage]] during percutaneous invasion'''.
==Signalment==
Young animals '''5-8 months old''' are most commonly infected.
'''100-200 ''B. phlebotomum'' and 20-100 ''B. trigonocephalum'' is adequate to cause disease in calves and lambs''' respectively and '''burdens of 2000 and 300 worms respectively are large enough to cause mortality.'''
Older animals often carry worms asymptomatically.
==Lifecycle==
''Bunostomum spp. '' have a direct lifecycle, taking '''24-36 hours to hatch and 5-16 days to develop into ensheathed L3''' infective larvae.
Hot weather restricts survival on pasture to 6-7 weeks, and the larvae/eggs do not survive the winter on pastures in temperate countries.
The '''percutaneous route of infection is most important''' but animals can also acquire infection orally. Larvae then migrate to the '''lungs and trachea''', reaching the intestine after they are coughed up and swallowed. Larvae '''moult both in the lungs and when they reach the abomasum''' or intestine.
Eggs are shed into the faeces by infected individuals.
The pre-patent period is 7-9 weeks and maximal parasite longevity is 1-2years.
==Clinical Signs==
Direct digestive signs of disease include ''' [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] which often contains mucus and/or blood, anorexia, Inappetance and weight loss or stunted growth. Hypoproteinaemia due to parasitic consumption may cause '''peripheral oedema, e.g. bottle-jaw.'''
Consequent bleeding and fluid loss often causes '''anaemia and/or dehydration''' and associated pallor, prostration, emaciation and weakness.
Signs of pain and discomfort will vary with the individual.
Skin disease usually manifests in the '''feet and limbs as pruritus, erythema, oedema, alopecia, hyperkeratosis and papule/pustule formation. ''' The coat in affected areas is often rough and poor and easily epilated. '''Claws and hooves also exhibit defective growth, fragility and overgrowth. '''
Larval migration through the lungs may also cause a cough and other [[Respiratory System - Anatomy & Physiology]] signs.
Recovery results in partial protection to reinfection but adults may then carry an shed worms.
==Diagnosis==
At '''necropsy''', adults can be '''demonstrated in the proximal segments of the small intestine''' and identified microscopically.
Eggs can also be detected by the '''floatation technique''' and morphologically identified. They cannot be differentiated from ''Trichostrongylid spp. '' or ''Oesophagostomum spp. '' unless faecal samples are fresh.
==Treatment==
'''All commercial [[Endoparasiticides|endoparasiticides]] are effective and resistance is not currently a significant problem. '''
==Control==
'''Avoidance of marshy and damp areas for grazing stock and prophylactic worming regimes''' are the usual control measures implemented.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Bunostomum Flashcards|''Bunostomum'' Flashcards]]
}}
==References==
<references/>
Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Bunostomum datasheet''', accessed 31/07/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
[[Category:To Do - CABI review]] [[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Cattle]] [[Category:Parasites - Cattle]]