Infestation Of Sheep Research Articles

Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey of Ectoparasites in Sheep from Central Tunisia: Does Low Prevalence Indicate Good Hygiene or Resistance to Ectoparasites?

Sheep ectoparasites such as chewing lice, fleas and ticks are serious constraints to sheep productivity and are the cause of skin lesions in animals that decrease their market value. This study aims at investigating the ectoparasite fauna infesting small ruminants in the district of Sidi Bouzid (central Tunisia). A total of 1243 Barbarine and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) sheep were examined every two months for one year. Of the total animals examined, 74 were infested by at least 1 parasite group (5.95%). Three ectoparasite groups were identified as Psoroptes ovis (0.48%; 6/1243), ticks (5.3%; n = 66/1243) and one specimen of Ctenocephalides canis (0.08%; n = 1/1243). The most abundant tick among the 358 specimens was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n = 337; 94.1%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. dromedarii (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. excavatum (n = 5/358; 1.4%) and only two specimens of H. scupense (n = 2/358; 0.55%). The sheep herds showed low infestation prevalence by ectoparasite over the year, with a significant difference according to the seasons (p < 0.05). A higher infestation prevalence was recorded in March (14.36%). Barbarine sheep breed showed significantly higher infestation prevalence (16.8%) compared to QFO (0.8%) (p < 0.01). There were no differences in infestation prevalence according to sex of the animal or age groups. Knowledge of the ectoparasite population harboured by sheep, its activity dynamics and risk factors is required to develop effective ectoparasite control options. The low prevalence of ectoparasite infestation in sheep reported here may be due to possible genetic resistance or simply to successful hygiene measures implemented by farmers.

Retrospective study of Oestrus ovis larvae infestation in small ruminants in Grenada, West Indies

Oestrosis is a nasal cavity myiasis caused by Oestrus ovis larvae from Oetrus ovis diptera flies in small ruminants. The presence of the larvae in the nasal cavity is known to cause rhinitis and sinusitis which can negatively impact the productivity of small ruminants. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Oestrus ovis larvae infestation in sheep and goats presented for necropsy. We reviewed necropsy records of sheep and goats submitted to the Veterinary Pathology diagnostic laboratory at St. George's University from 2001 to 2017. Out of 104 goat necropsy cases, Oestrus ovis larvae were observed in 8 goats giving a prevalence of 7.7% (95% confidence interval (CI):3.38% to 14.6%). Similarly, from the 47 sheep necropsies, Oestus ovis larvae were observed in 4 sheep (8.5%) (95% CI: 2.83% to 20.46%). There was no significant difference in Oestrus ovis larvae infestation rates between sheep and goats (p = 1.000, Fisher's exact test). Oestrosis was an incidental finding in all the small ruminants examined at necropsy. This is the first report on Oestrus ovis larvae infestation in small ruminants in Grenada.

Assessment of the Epidemiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract Nematode Parasites in Sheep in Toke Kutaye, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia.

Gastrointestinal tract nematodes are considered to be the most significant and underestimated problems that hinder sheep productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of gastrointestinal tract nematode infestation of sheep in the Toke Kutaye District of West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal tract nematode parasite infestation in sheep. Faecal samples were collected from 384 sheep and subjected to coprological examination, including direct smear, flotation techniques, and Baermann techniques for screening and identifying gastrointestinal nematodes. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal tract nematode parasite infestation in sheep in the study area was 284 (73.96%). From the total positive cases, males and females were 97 (82.91%) and 187 (70.04%), respectively. The predominantly detected gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep in the study area were Trichostrongylus 111 (28.91%), Oestartagia 55 (14.32%), Haemonchus 42 (10.94%), Oesophagostomum 48 (12.50%), and Trichuris 23 (5.99%). Mixed nematode eggs were noticed in some of the sheep beside the single type of nematode eggs, with a prevalence of 85 (22.14%). The relationship in the occurrence of parasites between sex, age groups, body conditions, and seasons was statistically significant (P = 0.008, P = 0.014, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003), respectively. The present study is of great importance to add to the existing knowledge of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep, and the findings are very important to apply the proper control and prevention strategies for gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep in the area.

Estimation of the prevalence of nematodes infestation in sheep and goats in District Dera Ismail Khan along with the investigation of worm burden

Estimation of the prevalence of nematodes infestation in sheep and goats in District Dera Ismail Khan along with the investigation of worm burden

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF SORGHUM CHAFF FOR THE CONTROL OF HELMINTHIASIS IN YANKASA RAMS.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the anti-helminthic effect of sorghum chaff fed to small ruminants. Fifteen growing Yankasa rams with an average live weight of 17.5 kg were dewormed using Albendazole at 10mg/kg body weight and infected with nematodes larvae (2,100 L3 of strongyle per ram) and allotted to five (5) treatments of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% inclusion levels of sorghum chaff in diets in a completely randomized design with three replications. Each ram was offered the experimental diet at 1.5% of its body weight as supplement daily for eight weeks. Faecal samples were collected from the rams before and at the end of the experiment to detect the presence of parasitic infections (fecal egg and oocyst counts). The control treatment (0% sorghum chaff) was dewormed using Albendazole at 10mg/kg body weight. The results showed mild infestations with strongyle and moniezia at four weeks after L3 infestation but were statistically (P&gt;0.05) similar. Similarly, there were no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences observed in the number of eggs per gram of faeces across treatments at week six, but numerically, animals on treatment 4 (60% inclusion level of sorghum chaff) had better worm clearance relative to other treatments. It was concluded that inclusion of sorghum chaff in the diets of small ruminants up to 60% level could be used to control gastrointestinal nematodes infestation in sheep. Further studies to isolate the active ingredients having anti-helminthic effect in the sorghum chaff and standard inclusion levels are hereby recommended.

Epidemiological and therapeutic studies on sheep lice in Sayint district, South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia.

An epidemiological (cross-sectional) and therapeutic (randomized controlled field trial) study was conducted on sheep lice in Sayint district, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to (i) quantify the magnitude of sheep lice burden and the prevailing lice species, (ii) identify and quantify risk factors affecting lice infestation in sheep, and (iii) evaluate the efficacy of commonly used acaricides (diazinon and ivermectin) against sheep lice infestation. A total of 232 randomly selected sheep, 15 naturally infested sheep, and 80 viable Bovicola ovis lice were used for epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro based therapeutic studies, respectively. Three naturally infested treatment groups each with five sheep (Group I-treated with diazinon, Group II-treated with ivermectin, and Group III-untreated/control) were used for in vivo therapeutic study. Lice count for the corresponding treatment groups was conducted on weekly basis using clinical and parasitological examinations. We used logistic regression to quantify the association between different putative risk factors and lice infestation, and the independent t-test and one-way ANOVA to compare the within and between treatment group mean lice count variations. The overall prevalence of sheep lice in the study area was 48.3%, where Bovicola ovis (83%) was the dominant lice species. Hair length, body condition, agroecology, and season were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with sheep lice infestation. Analysis of variance revealed that mean lice count significantly (P < 0.05) varies between treatment groups. A significant (P < 0.05) low mean lice cunt was recorded in diazinon- and ivermectin-treated groups when compared to untreated group. The in vivo efficacy of ivermectin (81%) was lower than diazinon (99%) when compared to the efficacy standard limit (98-100%). However, no significant mean lice count variation was recorded between the two groups. In vivo (99%) and in vitro (95%) assay evidence revealed that diazinon was highly effective for the treatment of sheep lice. According to this study, it can be concluded that the magnitude of sheep lice burden in Sayint district was found to be high and this could have a potential negative impact on sheep productivity and health performances. Thus, applying an appropriate intervention measure including the right choice of effective acaricides could help to control sheep lice in the study area.

Pathology and Management of Acute Immature Fasciola Infestation in Sheep and Goats in Western Maharashtra

Pathology and Management of Acute Immature Fasciola Infestation in Sheep and Goats in Western Maharashtra

Diagnosis of Oestrus ovis infestation in sheep by PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of PCR and ELISA as diagnostic method in young sheep naturally infested by Oestrus ovis larvae. The experiment was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 with 39 lambs divided into two groups: infested (n = 26) and control treated group (n = 13). The infested group did not receive treatment against oestrosis, and the control group was treated with closantel (10 mg/kg orally) every 28 days in order to keep the animals as free as possible of O. ovis infestation. The clinical signs varied among animals regardless of the number of recovered larvae of each lamb, however, the thick mucus and mucopurulent nasal discharge scores were less frequent in lambs from treated group. There was no correlation between the nasal discharge score and the number of O. ovis recovered larvae (R² = 0.012, P = 0.165). Three control treated animals only presented first instar larvae (L1) (1 – 4 larvae/animal) which were smaller than L1 found in the lambs of the infested group. Ninety-two percent of the lambs from infested group (24/26) were parasitized by O. ovis with number ranging from 1 to 54 larvae per animal. A gradual increase in plasma IgG (anti-antigen of O. ovis larvae) levels of animals from infested group after the third week of the trial was observed, whereas the control lambs had low levels of IgG until the end of the experiment. The PCR had low sensitivity (26 %) and high specificity (100 %), and it presented poor agreement (k = 0.177) with the larvae detection after the lamb slaughter. The oestrosis clinical signs were not related to larvae infestation intensity and ELISA showed a greater advantage over the PCR technique in identifying animals that are carrying O. ovis.

Sequence analyzing of Oestrus ovis in sheeps in Al-Diwaniyah province

A total of 364 head sheep were examine from fourteen region in Al- Diwaniyah province 224 positive to infestation and larvae were collected and sent to the laboratory of veterinary medicine, from October 2021 to March 2022 for both sexes. The rate of Oestrus ovis infestation in sheep in the study areas was 61.53%. Al-Dighara abattoir had the highest infestation rate (82.75%) and Al-Salahia had the lowest infestation rate (17.64%). DNA extraction sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify Oestrus ovis larvae (16S rRNA) gene, the sequence was recoded in the National Center Biotechnology (NCBI) with accession numbers (ON059972, ON059973, ON059974, ON059975, ON059976, ON059977, and ON059978) Iraq for O.ovis larvae. The percentage of homology sequence identity between this gene and another global gene registered in NCBI was (99–100%) with Brazil and Bosnia and Herzegovina isolates, (97.17%) with USA isolates, and (96.17, 96.33, and 96.68%) with Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and USA isolates, respectively.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Ovine Oestrosis in Dendi District of Central Ethiopia.

BackgroundOvine oestrosis is an economically important and widely distributed parasitic disease of sheep that is caused by Oestrus ovis larvae across the world. Despite the fact that Oestrus ovis is a common parasite in Ethiopia and that there are many sheep in the study area, there is no information on the prevalence, larval burden, predilection sites, and risk factors associated with Oestrus ovis infestation in sheep in the Dendi district of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018, to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and larval burden, and identify common predilection sites for Oestrus ovis larvae. A total of 180 sheep heads were randomly selected from five purposely selected restaurants in Ginchi town, Dendi district, transported to the laboratory, opened with a hand saw, and visually examined for infestations. The larvae were collected from positive sheep heads and counted. The sites where the larvae were obtained were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.ResultsOf the total of 180 examined sheep heads, 104 (57.8%) were infested with larvae of Oestrus ovis. In the study, a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was not observed in the prevalence of Oestrus ovis in relation to all considered risk factors such as sex, age, and origin of sheep. From 104 infested sheep, a total of 664 larvae were detected in different parts of sheep heads. The mean larval intensity per infected animal with Oestrus ovis was 6.38. In this study, the minimum and maximum numbers of larvae recovered were 1 and 26, respectively. The nasal cavity, nasal sinus and frontal sinus were the predilection sites of Oestrus ovis larvae identified in this study.ConclusionOestrosis is an important and common parasitic disease of sheep in the study area.

Prophylactic Effects of Ivermectin and Closantel Treatment in the Control of Oestrus ovis Infestation in Sheep.

The sheep nasal bots Oestrus ovis is parasite of the nasal cavities and sinuses of small ruminants causing oestrosis, one of the most frequent parasitic diseases in sheep and goats. The widely use of ivermectin and closantel by the sheep breeders in the treatment and prophylaxis of gastrointestinal nematodes resulted in widespread cases of anthelmintic resistance. However, there is no report about cases of O. ovis with drug-resistance. In this study, we evaluated the prophylactics and therapeutic effects of both antiparasitics in sheep with O. ovis natural infestation. The trial was carried out from early December 2019 to March 2020, with 30 crossbred males lambs allocated into three groups of 10 animals each: control (without treatment), treated with ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously) and treated with closantel (10 mg/kg orally). The animals were kept together grazing the same pasture area. The treatment groups were drenched in two occasions 70 days apart: on 5th December 2019 and on 13th February 2020. On 19th March 2020, all lambs were slaughtered. The lamb heads were removed and sectioned along their longitudinal and sagittal axis to search for larvae. Recovered O. ovis larvae were counted and identified according to their developmental stage (L1, L2, and L3). Seven of the control lambs were infested with O. ovis larvae ranging from six to 17 larvae (11.6 mean infestation intensity). All recovered larvae from control group were intact and active. Three animals treated with ivermectin had O. ovis larvae (1–3 larvae), however they were dead and in degeneration. The animals treated with closantel did not have any larvae. The clinical suggestive signs of oestrosis were scarce over the experimental period. The averages of daily weight gain were similar (p > 0.05) among groups. Closantel and ivermectin had high efficacy against oestrosis and O. ovis parasitism did not hinder the performance of lambs.

Monitoring of the epizootic situation sheep strongyloidiasis on Ukrainian territory

One of the reasons that reduce the efficiency of sheep breeding development and lead to significant economic losses of the industry in Ukraine and the world is helminthic diseases, particularly strongyloidiasis caused by parasitic nematodes. Strongyloides parasitize in the small intestine of animals and lead to slow growth and development of young sheep, diarrhea, anemia, ataxia. At the high intensity of invasion - animals can die. The study aimed to analyze monitoring studies on the prevalence of strongyloidiasis in sheep in Ukraine based on statistical data of the reporting documentation of the State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary Sanitary Examination during 2016–2020. Studies have shown that helminthiasis of sheep is a common invasion in farms of various forms of ownership in Ukraine, where the extent of the invasion ranged from 1.44 to 3.27 %. The share of helminthiasis of the digestive tract of sheep from the total number of detected helminthiasis reaches 84.21 %. The most common of the helminthiases of the gastrointestinal tract were nematodes; their share was 63.07 %. Trematodes and cestodes were diagnosed less frequently; their share among helminthiases of the digestive tract was 35.05 and 1.88 %, respectively. It was found that among the nematodes of the digestive tract parasitizing in sheep in Ukraine, the largest share was strongylidosis, in particular bunostomosis, nematodyrosis, hemonchosis (65.20 %), and strongyloidiasis (33.92 %). A smaller proportion were esophagostomosis (0.74 %) and trichurosis (0.14 %). Indicators of prevalence were: for strongylidosis (bunostomosis, nematodyrosis, hemonchosis) – 10.98 %, for strogiloidiasis – 4.48 %, for esophagostomosis – 0.42 %, for trichurosis – 0.21 %. In terms of years, the rates of damage to sheep by the causative agent of strongyloidiasis fluctuated significantly with the increasing prevalence of strongyloidiasis invasion during 2019–2020. Indicators of infestation of sheep with the causative agent of strongyloidiasis during the study period in Ukraine were at the level of 1.91 % (2018) to 16.14 % (2019). The data we obtained testify to the urgency of the problem of nematodes, particularly strongyloidiasis of sheep in Ukrainian farms, and lead to more thorough research on epizootological, biological features of the causative agent strongyloidiasis and the introduction of effective treatment and prevention measures.

ECHINOCOCCOSIS AND CYSTICERCOSIS OF SHEEP AND GOATS IN THE FARMS OF THE SOUTH OF UKRAINE

The article provides data on the spread of echinococcosis and cysticercosis of sheep and goats in the farms of the South of Ukraine.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to monitor echinococcosis and cysticercosis of small cattle in farms in the southern and northern regions of Odessa region.&#x0D; The research was carried out at the slaughter points of the Odessa region. In order to identify larval cestodoses, carcasses and organs from 322 sheep and 84 goats were examined. In the south of the Odessa region at slaughter points with. Tatarbunary of the Tatarbunar district and Olefirenko LLC of the Liman district, 217 sheep and 45 goats were examined. 105 sheep and 39 goats were examined at the slaughter points of cattle in the Kodimsky district and LLC "Segros" in the Shiryaevsky district of the northern part of the Odessa region.&#x0D; For the period from 2016 to 2020, four causative agents of larvaceous cestodoses were registered, which include: echinococcosis, cysticercosis ovis (phinosis), tenuikolny and coenurosis (whirligig). Echinococcus infestation of sheep in the southern regions of the Odessa region was in the range from 10.1 % to 14.7 %, and in goats - 10.7-11.1 %, while in the northern regions the infection of sheep was 7.4-8.9 %, and goats - 6.5-7.9 %. The incidence of Cysticercus tenuicollis sheep in the southern regions ranged from 13.8% to 15.7 %, while in the northern regions - from 18.5% to 22.3 %, which is 29.6 % more. In 95 % of sheep, Cysticercus tenuicollis was found on the omentum, in 3 % on the omentum and liver, and in 2 % an only on the liver with an intensity of 3 to 16 cysts per animal. In goats, all cysts were exclusively on the omentum.

Псороптоз овець і диких кіз: клінічний прояв та лікування в умовах антропобіоценозів

Among the ectoparasitoses of small ruminants, psoroptosis has an important place - a common acarosis disease caused by a permanent ectoparasite of the genus Psoroptes (Psoroptidae: Acariformes). This highly contagious invasion causes huge economic losses in many countries with developed sheep breeding. The aim of the work is to study the distribution and analyze the clinical signs in psoroptosis in sheep and wild goats. Research objectives: to determine the effectiveness of drugs in psoroptosis of sheep and wild goats in conditions of anthropobiocenoses. The material was skin scrapings from 63 sheep (Ovis aries) of fine-fleece breeds: Prekos and Romanovskaya, which belonged to the Scientific and Production Center of Kharkiv State Zooveterinary Academy (SPC KhSZVA) and from 17 wild goats: 14 Siberian mountain goats (Capra siberica) and 3 Marhura (Capra falconeri), which belonged to Government Organization (GO) «Feldman Eco-Park». The acarological study has carried out by the compressor method using a 50 % aqueous solution of glycerin and a 10 % alkali solution (KOH). For the treatment of sheep and wild goats, macrolides «Iveron-10», «Dectomax» were used at a dose of 0.2 ml per 10 kg of animal body weight, twice at 30 and 14 day intervals, respectively. In addition, a synthetic pyrethroid «Butox-50» by the bathing method in water emulsion (twice at 10 day intervals) after shearing sheep, in diluted 1 ml per 1 liter of water ex tempore. The infestation of sheep and wild goats by Psoroptes ovis mites (Hering, 1838) in 2017–2019 was 100 % with varying degrees of body surface damage. In 65.1 % of sheep of the SPC KhSZVA, hair loss was observed on 80–100 % of the body surface, in 28.6 % of animals – 50–79 % of the surface, 6.3 % – less than 50 % of the body surface. In 94.1 % of wild goats of the GO «Feldman Eco-Park», lesions were recorded up to 50 % of the body surface, and in 5.9 % – total lesion. Total lesion in wild goats was characterized by lesions of the surface of the head, ears and neck with significant keratinization of the skin to the inner layers with deep cracks and bleeding, and in sheep, by lesions of the entire surface of the body. Mortality in sheep was 3.2 %, and in wild goats - 5.9 % with generalized form. The applied treatment regimens of sheep and wild goats for psoroptosis with injectable preparations «Iveron-10» and «Dectomax», respectively, at a dose of 0.2 ml per 10 kg of animal body weight, twice at 30 and 14 day intervals with additional bathing of sheep in water emulsion of «Butox-50» (twice at 10 day intervals) showed 100 % efficiency.

Prevalence of tick infestation of sheep and goats in Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, intensity and management systems associated with tick infestation in sheep and goats from Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions. A total of 704 animals consisting of 342 males and 362 females (463 adults and 241 young (kids/lambs) were physically examined for tick infestation, of which 383 were goats and 321 sheep aged 5 months to 7 years. Of the 704 animals examined, 651 were found positive with one or more ticks giving an overall prevalence of 92.5%. The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep (99.4%) while 86.7% was recorded in goats. There was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the prevalence and intensity of tick infestation of these ruminants in the study area. The overall intensity of infestation or tick burden was 1302 with the highest intensity observed in Boophilus geygei (416). Six species of ticks were identified which were Boophilus geygei, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma truncatum and Haemophysalis laechi with a high prevalence recorded for Boophilus geygei (29.5%) and the least recorded for Haemophysalis laechi (8.4%). Adults and females were the most infested compared to young stock and male animals. Concerning the various management techniques, the prevalence of tick infestation was higher in tethered animals (97.8%), followed by free-range grazing animals (89.8%). Animals confined in paddocks had the least prevalence (71.6%). This study provides an important step to reduce animal infestation and minimize economic losses in sheep and goats by providing information that will help farmers of these areas to use strategic treatment methods and medicinal plants to reduce parasite infestations on the animals and also to practice the right traditional management techniques

Prevalence of ticks in sheep and goats in Abeokuta and its environs

This study evaluated The association of breed, sex, age and location of herd/flock (Village. peri-urban and sales point) with prevalence and distribution of ticks in sheep and goats in Abeokuta and its environs, A total of 300 sheep and 300 goats were randomly selected from the three locations. The estimated age, sex, and breeds of each animal were determined. Thereafter, they were examined for presence of ticks, Ticks were collected into universal bottles containing 1% formaldehyde The type, location and load on each animal were also recorded. The ticks were identified up to species level. Data on the animals, management factors and the prevalence of tick were processed into contingency tables to establish the association between the prevalence of tick and the age, sex, breed, and location using Chi-square (X) test statistics. Rhipicephalus evertsi and Boophilus spp were the tick species observed in the sheep. There were significant associations (P&lt; 0.05) of prevalence of ticks, with age and location of goats, and breeds and location of sheep, respectively. It was thus concluded that animal factors of age, breed and location were significantly associated with tick infestation in sheep and goats. West African Dwarf (WAD) and O'uda breeds of sheep exhibited various levels of tick infestation while most of the Yankassa were tick-free. Tick infestation was more common with sheep of the sales point and village locations. It was therefore recommended that effective tick control measures should be instituted to prevent adverse effects of these parasites on the health and production of these animals.

Evaluation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); gamma interferon (IFN-γ) genes and oxidative stress in sheep: immunological responses induced by Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) infestation

This study aimed to evaluate the cell mediated immune responses against Oestrus ovis (O. ovis) in sheep through measurement of the changes in mRNA expression of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) cytokines using quantitative Real time-PCR (qRt-PCR). Also; to detect the role of Oestrus ovis infestation in the oxidative stress markers in sheep. Fifty sheep head were examined in Cairo abattoir from the period of May to August 2019. Sera were separated and collected for measurement of nitric oxide, zinc and malondialdehyde (MDA). While TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA were extracted from nasal mucosa. Levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher in infested sheep than that in non-infested one. Also, oxidative stresses were indicated by high level of nitric oxide as one of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and serum MDA as oxidative stress marker and low antioxidant capacity (zinc concentration in serum) in infested sheep. The obtained results indicated that measurements of TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines using qRT-PCR could be used as an association and reproducible quantitative method for the diagnosis of O. ovis infestation in sheep.

Features of seasonal dynamics of sheep Haemonchosis in the territory of Zaporizhzhya region

The article presents the results of studies on the indicators of invasiveness of domestic sheep Ovis aries (Linnaeus, 1758), the causative agent of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi 1803; Cobb 1898) and its characteristics depending on the season in the climatic and geographical conditions of the Zaporizhzhya region. The research was conducted during 2015–2019 on the basis of laboratories of the departments of parasitology and ichthyopathology of the Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies Lviv and Parasitology and Veterinary-Sanitary Examination of the Poltava State Agrarian Academy. Helminths were isolated by the results of complete helminthological sections of the digestive organs of the dead or slaughtered sheep, and the indicators of the extent and intensity of the invasion were established. Specific identification of the identified nematodes was performed taking into account the morphological features of mature males and females. It is proved that H. contortus is a fairly widespread species of nematodes in the population of domestic sheep in the territory of the studied region. The magnitude of the invasion of animals reached 66.36 %, the intensity of the invasion – 25.56 ± 1.51 samples/animal (for fluctuations from 1 to 79 sp./an.). It is noted that the causative agent of Haemonchosis is registered during the year. At the same time, the degree of sheep infection depends on the season of the year and is characterized by certain patterns in the extent and intensity of H. contortus invasion of sheep. The peak of the animals with the nematodes was detected in the autumn-winter period of the year, EI ranged from 73.23 to 78.57 %. The decline in invasion magnitude was observed in spring (52.63 %) and summer (59.68 %). Seasonal fluctuations in the infestation rates had some differences and were characterized by maximum values in the summer and autumn seasons ranging from 27.49 ± 2.52 to 37.35 ± 2.36 samples/animal. During the winter, the intensity of H. contortus infestation in sheep gradually decreased (13.73 ± 2.12 sp/an) and gained minimum values in the spring of the year (10.85 ± 1.78 sp./an). The conducted researches illuminate the current epizootic condition of sheep haemorrhage in the territory of Zaporizhzhya region, expand and supplement the already existing data that will allow to increase the effectiveness of the use of therapeutic and preventive measures in this invasion.

Pathological characteristics of Linguatula serrata (aberrant arthropod) infestation in sheep and factors associated with prevalence in Iran

Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite in which carnivores and herbivores serve as final and intermediate hosts, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare the L. serrata nymphal infection rate and intensity of infection (mean number of nymphs ± standard error) to the appearance and pathological changes of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) infected with L. serrata using sheep slaughtered in Tabriz, Iran. In addition, the effect of age, sex, and season on the prevalence of L. serrata infection was evaluated. For this purpose, over a four-year period, 31,078 MLNs from 3199 sheep were examined, with 4972 (15.99%) MLNs infected representing 518 (16.20%) sheep. Collected MLNs were categorized by color as normal, red or black and by consistency as normal, soft or hard. L. serrata were found in 8.88% of normal-colored MLNs, 14.45% of red (hemorrhagic) MLNs and 44.57% of black-colored MLNs, with the difference being significant for infection and infection intensity (P < 0.0001). In regards to MLN consistency, 7.98% of normal, 31.52% of soft and 5.42% of hard lymph nodes were found to be infected with the infection rate and intensity in soft nodes being significantly different (P < 0.0001). Pathological changes in MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with normal color and consistency had calcification of the L. serrata nymph, granulomatous inflammation around the nymph and some neutrophils. Granulomatous inflammation around the L. serrata nymph, haemosiderophage, macrophage and lymph node depletion from lymphocytes were observed in MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with soft consistency. In addition, MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with hard consistency and black color contained neutrophils in the capsule’s wall, caseous necrotic mass and L. serrata surrounded by a thick capsule. In regards to prevalence, age, sex and season (autumn) were significant (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). These study results suggest that targeted meat inspection and targeted animal interventions could be used to decrease human exposure to L. serrata and animal infection.

Prevalence of Major Gastrointestinal Nematode and Degree of Parasite Infestation in Sheep of Bako Agricultural Research Center Community Based Breeding Program Project Small Holder Farms at Horro District

Prevalence of Major Gastrointestinal Nematode and Degree of Parasite Infestation in Sheep of Bako Agricultural Research Center Community Based Breeding Program Project Small Holder Farms at Horro District