''Cooperia'' is a genus of
nematode
The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...
from the
Cooperiidae family that is one of the most common intestinal parasitic
nematode
The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...
s in cattle in temperate regions. Infections with ''Cooperia'' may result in mild clinical symptoms, but can lead to weight loss and damage of the small intestine, especially when co-infections with other nematodes such as ''
Ostertagia ostertagi
''Ostertagia ostertagi'', commonly known as the medium stomach worm or brown stomach worm, is a parasitic nematode (round worm) of cattle. ''O. ostertagi'' can also be found to a lesser extent in sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and horses. It cau ...
'' occur.
Infections are usually treated with broad-spectrum
anthelmintics
such as
benzimidazole, but resistance to these drugs has developed in the last decades and is now very common.
''Cooperia'' has a direct
life cycle. Infective larvae are ingested by the host. The larvae grow to adults, which reproduce in the small intestines. Eggs are shed onto the pasture with the
faeces, which leads to new infections. Co-infections with other gastro-intestinal
nematode
The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...
s such as ''
O. ostertagi'' and ''
Haemonchus contortus'' are common.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2996592
Rhabditida