Occurrence of Strongyloides papillosus associated with extensive pulmonary lesions and sudden deaths in calves on a beef farm in a highland area of South Bohemia (Czech Republic)

Prevalence and intensities of excretion of Strongyloides papillosus eggs were determined in a highland area of South Bohemia (Czech Republic) in cattle of beef herds under three types of management systems (pasture, semipasture, cowshed during winter season). Strongyloides papillosus infection was found on 6 of 9 examined farms and from the 1902 fecal samples, 4.3 % were positive. Eggs excretion intensities were generally low. The high prevalence (57 %) and high intensities of excretion (more than 5.000 EPG) were found on one cowshed farm associated with 25 % mortality of calves without previous clinical signs was observed. Pulmonary pathological changes caused by migration of larvae were histologically characterized as suppurative granulomatous inflammation with young connective tissue and predominance of eosinophils in inflammatory infiltrates. The cause of death of calves was determined as the sudden death syndrome.