''Bunostomum'' is a genus of nematodes of the small intestine of

ruminant Ruminants are herbivorous grazing or browsing artiodactyls belonging to the suborder Ruminantia that are able to acquire nutrients from plant-based food by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, principally through microb ...

s and

camelid Camelids are members of the biological family (biology), family Camelidae, the only currently living family in the suborder Tylopoda. The seven extant taxon, extant members of this group are: dromedary, dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, wild Bac ...

s. Important species include ''B. phlebotomum'' in calves and ''B. trigonocephalum'' in lambs. The worms are stout and measure in length. Young animals are most commonly affected and only several hundred worms are necessary to cause morbidity. Adults often carry worms without showing clinical signs.

Phylogeny

Cladogram A cladogram (from Greek language, Greek ''clados'' "branch" and ''gramma'' "character") is a diagram used in cladistics to show relations among organisms. A cladogram is not, however, an Phylogenetic tree, evolutionary tree because it does not s ...

according to

Catalogue of Life The Catalogue of Life (CoL) is an online database that provides an index of known species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. It was created in 2001 as a partnership between the global Species 2000 and the American Integrated Taxono ...

and Dyntaxa:

Life cycle

The life cycle is direct, with a prepatent period of 30–56 days. Eggs hatch on the ground and develop into infective larvae in several weeks. Larvae penetrate through the skin or are ingested and then migrate to the respiratory system, are coughed up and swallowed, and finally reach the small intestine. Eggs are then shed in the feces of the infected host.

Clinical signs and diagnosis

Diarrhoea Diarrhea (American English), also spelled diarrhoea or diarrhœa (British English), is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration d ...

is the primary sign, along with systemic signs of anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss if the worm burden is severe.

Hypoproteinaemia Hypoproteinemia is a condition where there is an abnormally low level of protein in the blood. There are several causes that all result in edema once serum protein levels fall below a certain threshold. Signs and symptoms The severity of sympto ...

anaemia Anemia (also spelt anaemia in British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen. This can be due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin availab ...

, and

dehydration In physiology, dehydration is a lack of total body water that disrupts metabolic processes. It occurs when free water loss exceeds intake, often resulting from excessive sweating, health conditions, or inadequate consumption of water. Mild deh ...

often occur. Skin involvement due to larvae penetration appears as lesions, especially on the feet and limbs. Eggs can be found by analysis of faecal samples, or adults can be seen in the small intestine at

necropsy An autopsy (also referred to as post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death ...

Treatment and control

All available

anthelmintic Anthelmintics or antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them without causing significant damage to the host. They may also ...

s are efficient at treating the infection.

Prophylactic Preventive healthcare, or prophylaxis, is the application of healthcare measures to prevent diseases.Hugh R. Leavell and E. Gurney Clark as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical and mental health a ...

treatment may help prevent the disease, as well as pasture management to avoid egg and larval accumulation.

References

''Bunostomum''
reviewed and published b
Wikivet
accessed 09/10/2011. Strongylida Veterinary parasitology Parasitic nematodes of mammals Rhabditida genera {{Rhabditida-stub