Epidemiological, Morphological, and Morphometric Study on Haemonchus spp. Recovered From Goats in Egypt.

Ahmed Gareh,Amany M Ramez,Refaat M A Khalifa,Elzahara Elbaz,Dina M M El-Shewehy,Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy,Ahmed K Dyab,Khalaf F Alsharif,Marwa I Khalifa,Mohsen I Arafa,Mohmed Elsalahy M Monib,Amin Tahoun,Nagwa M Elhawary

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.705619

Abstract

Goats can be infected by multiple groups of external and internal parasites. Haemonchus spp. are among abomasal parasites that can result in higher mortality and several considerable economic losses in goats. Early detection of parasites and better understanding of the major risk factors associated with infection are among the main strategies for controlling the infection. Considering this, information on hemonchosis in goats from Egypt, and the contribution of goats in the maintenance of the epidemiological foci of the disease is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of Haemonchus species among 240 abomasum samples collected during postmortem examination of goat carcasses from Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Moreover, the association of the major risk factors to describe the epidemiological pattern of the disease was explored. This study demonstrated that 16.66% of abomasa samples harbored Haemonchus species. Additionally, age, sex, and sampling season were the most significant risk factors associated with infection. Following the variable factors under study, goats aged 1 year or older were at higher risk, with an infection rate of 22.14% (31 of 140), than those younger than 1 year (9%) [p = 0.008; odds ratio (OR) = 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30–6.35]. The infection rate was 25% (19 of 76) in males and 12.8% (21 of 164) in females [p = 0.024; odds ratio (OR) = 2.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–4.53]. Moreover, the exposure to infection was higher in summer (22.22%) than in winter (8.33%) (p = 0.007; odds ratio (OR) = 0.318; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.139–0.725). More importantly, three species of the parasite—Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, and Haemonchus longistipes—were identified for the first time, and the confirmation of the identification and morphological characterization of the worms was performed using light microscopy and SEM. Collectively, this study reveals interesting epidemiological, morphological, and morphometric findings associated with the occurrence of hemonchosis among goats in Egypt. This study suggests further research for exploring the major circulating species of the parasite in Egypt, which is mandatory for controlling the disease.

Highlights

Haemonchus or barber’s pole worm is a major abomasal parasite of ruminants with a global distribution [1, 2]
Goats aged 1 year or older were at a higher risk than those younger than 1 year [odds ratio (OR) = 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30–6.35]
Males were more affected by hemonchosis than females (OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.13–4.53)

Summary

Introduction

Haemonchus or barber’s pole worm is a major abomasal parasite of ruminants with a global distribution [1, 2]. 12 species were identified within the same genus in domestic ruminants [3]. Several studies have revealed that other species, for example, Haemonchus placei and Haemonchus similis, are among the most pathogenic nematodes in goats worldwide [6]. These parasite species result in significant production losses due to morbidity, mortality, and cost of treatment [6]. According to their clinical impacts, anemia, digestion–absorption syndromes, and weight loss are among the clinical signs of hemonchosis [7]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion