Prevalence Of Lungworms Research Articles

Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites and Lungworms in Cats and Dogs from Terceira and São Miguel Islands, Azores.

Parasitic diseases can affect animal health and welfare, and they may also constitute a danger to public health, particularly in island ecosystems. Fecal samples were collected from 205 dogs and 115 cats on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, Azores archipelago (Portugal), using the Willis flotation technique and modified Baermann method, for further analysis. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in dogs was 53%, with the following results: Ancylostomatidae (hookworms) (42.44%), Trichuris vulpis (17.56%), Toxocara canis (12.68%) and Cystoisospora spp. (4.39%). In cats, the overall prevalence was also 53%, with the following results: Toxocara cati (31.3%), Ancylostomatidae (30.43%), Cystoisospora spp. (14.78%) and Trichuris sp. (0.87%). The prevalence of lungworms was 0.49% in canines and 20.87% in felines, with Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus species being detected in dogs and cats, respectively. The present survey detected a high prevalence of gastrointestinal infection, in both dogs and cats, probably because the samples came mainly from kennels and catteries and due to the peculiar climatic conditions in this insular territory, with mild temperature and high relative humidity. A considerable prevalence of aelurostrongylosis was also detected (20.87%), so it should be included in the list of differential diagnoses of diseases concerning the respiratory tract in cats of the archipelago.

Prevalence of Lungworm Infection of Small Ruminants in and Around Sebeta Town, Central Ethiopia

Lungworm infection is one of the common parasitic diseases that affect small ruminants. It causes great economic losses due to decrement in production and productivity gained from these animals. There was limited information related to this disease in these animals in the study area. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and species of lungworms in small ruminants and to assess the possible risk factors associated with lungworm infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 on small ruminants selected by a simple random sampling technique in and around Sebeta town, central Ethiopia. A total of 406 animals (259 sheep and 147 goats) were sampled and examined to determine lungworm infection prevalence and its species identification. The study showed that 13.8% (56/406) of an overall prevalence of lungworm infection was found in the study area. In another way, a higher prevalence was observed in sheep 18.1% (47/259) than in goats 6.1% (9/147) and there was a significant association (X2=11.4, p<0.05) between them. Similarly, 14.7% (37/ 251) and 12.3% (19/155), 15.7% (21/134) and 11.7% (16/137), and 14.2% (35/147) and 13.2% (21/159) prevalence were determined between female and male, young and adult, non-dewormed and dewormed animals respectively, but they were not significantly associated with lungworm infection. However, 17.6% (13/74), 13.5% (28/207), and 12% (15/125) prevalence was calculated among poor, good, and medium body-conditioned animals respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (X2=1.24, p>0.05). Dictyocaulus filaria was the only species of lungworm identified in both sheep and goats. This study revealed that lungworm infection was prevalent and affected the production and productivity of small ruminants in the study area significantly.

Prevalence of Equine Lung Worm and Its Associated Risk Factors in Kersa district Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia.

Dictyocaulus arnfieldi parasites directly affect the health and production of working equines, which contributes to the reduction in their work output and ultimately in the income of the owner and the community. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to march2020 in and around kersa distinct south west Ethiopia. With the objectives of determining the prevalence and assessing the possible risk factors of lungworm infection in equine. A total of 384 faecal samples from equine species (124 donkeys, 200 horses, 60 mules) were collected and examined for the presence of eggs of parasites using modified Bearmann technique. Out of these, 384(53.1%) equines were found positive for lung worm. The prevalence of lung worm in donkeys, horses, and mules was64.5 %, 49.0%, and43.3% respectively with statistical significant variation (x2 =10.14, P = 0.006). Age of equines was found to have a significant association with the prevalence of Dictyocaulus arnfieldi infection (P<0.05), the prevalence to being in age of greater in young animal. Assessment of the two body condition scores with their prevalence revealed a significant variation, the prevalence was very high in poor body condition groups (x2 =299.99, P = 0.000). However, there was no statistically significant (p>0.05) between the occurrence of equine lungworm and the factors sex. It is concluded that prevalence of equine lungworm in the study area associated with young and emaciated equines were more affected by the lung worm infection. Therefore, Due attention needs to be given to equine health services by district veterinary services office so that equines are handled well in order to earn their maximum potential benefits and grazing management and regular strategic deworming of the whole herd with anthelminthic rather than treating infested individuals is recommended.

The Prevalence and Control of Lungworms of Pastoral Ruminants in Iran.

Lungworms of the genera Dictyocaulus, Muellerius, Protostrongylus, and Cystocaulus are common helminths of domestic and wild ruminants with substantial veterinary and economic importance. Several studies have assessed the presence and prevalence of lungworm infections in ruminants in Iran. This report compiles the available scientific information about the occurrence of lungworms in domestic and wild ruminants in Iran between 1931 and June 2022 to give an insight into their epidemiology, and where possible to describe drug treatment efficacy. For this purpose, national and international scientific databases were searched. Overall, 54 publications comprising 33 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 8 conference papers, and 13 dissertations were evaluated regarding prevalence data; and an additional 4 peer-reviewed articles were evaluated regarding drug efficacy. Seven species of lungworms, namely Dictyocaulus filaria, Dictyocaulus viviparus, Dictyocaulus eckerti, Protostrongylus rufescens, Protostrongylus raillietti, Muellerius capillaris, and Cystocaulus ocreatus have been recorded from different ruminant hosts in Iran. Thirty-three studies conducted on small ruminant (sheep and goat) lungworms reported prevalences of lungworm infection of 11.6%, 45.81% and 66.29% using abattoir meat inspection, Baermann technique and fecal flotation, respectively. Eight studies conducted on large ruminants (cattle and water buffalo) reported prevalences of infection of 14.83%, 13.98% and 5% using abattoir meat inspection, the Baermann technique and fecal flotation, respectively. The prevalence of infection in wild ruminants was variable across examined species; 38% in urial, 37% in wild goats, 5% in goitered gazelles and 67% in red deer, in addition to a single case report in roe deer. There are few contemporary studies assessing the efficacy of currently available broad-spectrum anthelmintic compounds against lungworms in Iran. The high prevalence of multiple lungworm species in Iran, combined with a lack of information about drug efficacy, supports the need to improve the understanding of these important nematode parasites and inform the development of sustainable control strategies. The aim of this review and meta-analysis is to provide a baseline for future conventional parasitology and next generation molecular epidemiological studies of lungworm infection in pastoral ruminants in Iran.

Prevalence of Lungworms According to Fecal Examination in Cats and Dogs

Bu çalışmanın amacı Kırıkkale ve Ankara illerinde bulunan kedi ve köpeklerden toplanan dışkı örneklerinin akciğer kılkurdu larvalarının varlığı yönünden araştırılmasıdır. Bu amaçla 100 adet kedi ve 100 adet köpek dışkısı ayrı dışkı kaplarına alınmış ve soğuk zincir kurallarına uyularak aynı gün içinde laboratuvara ulaştırılmıştır. Bu örnekler Baermann-Wetzel yöntemi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. İncelenen kedi dışkılarından 4 tanesinde (%4) Aelurostrongylus abstrusus birinci dönem larvalarına rastlanırken, köpeklerin hiçbirinde akciğer nematodu larvalarına rastlanmamıştır. Kedilerde A. abstrusus larvaları ≤1 yaş kedilerde, 1 yaşından büyük kedilere göre, erkeklerde dişilere, melez ırklarda saf ırklara ve antiparaziter tedavi alan kedilerde almayanlara göre daha yüksek oranda bulunmuştur. Ancak bu etkenin kedilerdeki varlığı yönünden ırk, yaş, cinsiyet ve tedavi durumuna göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Sonuç olarak Türkiye’de kedilerde akciğer kılkurdu olarak baskın türün A. abstrusus olduğu, solunum sistemi belirtisi olan kedilerde bu etkenin enfeksiyon nedeni olarak göz önüne alınması gerektiği kanısına varılmıştır. Köpeklerde akciğer nematodlarının teşhisinde dışkı muayenesinin yanısıra salyalarında akciğer kıl kurdu larvaları yönünden incelemesinin kesin teşhis için daha yararlı olacağı düşünülmektedir.

Feline parasites and the emergence of feline lungworm in the Portland metropolitan area, Oregon, USA 2016-2017.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of internal parasites in feral and free-roaming owned cats in the region of Portland, Oregon, USA.MethodsFecal samples from asymptomatic cats were opportunistically collected from feral cats presented for surgical sterilization (n = 46), as well as free-roaming owned cats (n = 86) presented to primary care clinics. Fecal analysis was performed using the Baermann technique, centrifugal flotation, fluorescent auramine and fluorescent antibody for Giardia species.ResultsLungworm infection was identified in 24.2% of owned cats and 17.2% of feral cats. At least 11 unique parasite species were identified in this study. Taenia species and Toxocara cati were identified in higher proportions in feral cats, whereas Giardia species were significantly higher in owned cats.Conclusions and relevanceThe prevalence of lungworm was higher than has been previously documented in other areas of the USA. In addition, feral cats were infected with a higher percentage of Toxocara species and Taenia but a significantly lower percentage of Giardia species.

The effect of pasture molluscicide on small lungworm infections and the productivity of grazing lambs

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pasture molluscicide treatment on the prevalence and severity of small lungworm infections, and the productivity of lambs grazing improved pastures in southeastern Australia. A randomised control field trial of 260 Merino-cross lambs was conducted on a commercially managed farm in South Australia with a history of high small lungworm prevalence. Separate groups of lambs rotationally grazed irrigated lucerne paddocks treated with iron chelate molluscicide or untreated control paddocks. Lambs were monitored every 2–6 weeks from weaning until slaughter with liveweight, lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode infection status measured. At slaughter indicators of small lungworm infection via inspection and carcass characteristics were assessed. The density of the intermediate host snail and lucerne pasture availability were also measured. There was a higher population of adult Prietocella barbara molluscs in the Control paddocks compared to the Treatment paddocks after molluscicide had been applied and prior to grazing commencing (206 vs. 14 snails/m2, respectively; P = 0.03; 95 % CI 8, 528). However, the overall mollusc density was similar between Control and Treatment. The prevalence of small lungworm infections was quite low during the trial (0–13 %), in both Control and Treatment lambs, except at day 94 when 48 % of 28 Control lambs were positive compared to none of 27 Treatment lambs (P < 0.001; 95 % CI 30, 66). A similar proportion of Treatment and Control lambs had evidence of small lungworm infection lesions at slaughter (both 67.8 %). Control lambs grew slightly faster than Treatment lambs, with an average daily gain of 202 (± 3 SEM) g/head/day for Control and 190 (± 4 SEM) for Treatment (P < 0.001) during the 112-day trial.Despite historic evidence of very high prevalence of lungworm infection in this region of southeastern Australia, iron chelate molluscicide treatment prior to lambs grazing the pasture had no demonstrable effect on the prevalence and severity of small lungworm infections, nor the productivity of lambs grazing these pastures. This study indicates that for a commercial sheep farm, additional molluscicide treatments of pastures after they are established, for the prevention of small lungworm infection, may not be warranted. Furthermore, requirements for more precisely monitoring snails are discussed.

Lungworm infections in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the German Wadden Sea between 2006 and 2018, and serodiagnostic tests.

Pseudaliid lungworm (Metastrongyloidea) infections and associated secondary bacterial infections may severely affect the health status of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in German waters. The presented retrospective analysis including data from 259 harbour porpoises stranded between 2006 and 2018 on the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast showed that 118 (46%) of these stranded individuals harboured a lungworm infection. During this 13-year period, a significant difference in annual lungworm prevalence was only observed between the years 2006 and 2016. Lungworm coinfections of bronchi and pulmonary blood vessels were observed in 85.6% of positive cases. Mild infection levels were detected in 22.9% of infected animals and were most common in the age class of immature individuals (74.1%). Moderate and severe infections were present in 38.1% and 39.0% of the lungworm positive animals, respectively. Their distribution in immatures (51.1% and 54.3%) and adults (48.9% and 43.4%) did not show significant differences. In stranded animals, lungworm diagnosis can be easily obtained via necropsy, while reliable lungworm diagnosis in living porpoises requires invasive bronchoscopy or faecal examination, which is difficult to obtain in cetaceans. To overcome this issue, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot based on recombinant major sperm protein (MSP) of the cattle lungworm were evaluated as potential diagnostic tools in harbour porpoises. However, in contrast to hitherto other investigated host species, no reliable antibody response pattern was detectable in harbour porpoise serum/plasma or whole blood samples. Thus, MSP-based serological tests are considered unsuitable for lungworm diagnosis in harbour porpoises.

New host and geographical records for Parafilaroides normani (Nematoda: Filaroididae) Dailey, 2009 in South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, from southern Brazil.

Lungworms are a common finding in seals and fur seals around the world. However, from existing records, the biogeographical distribution of filaroid helminths appears to be restricted, and these parasites are endemic in only certain areas and species, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The occurrence of infection in pinniped species in the Southern Hemisphere is scarce. The objective of this work is to verify the prevalence of lungworms in Arctocephalus australis in waters off the southern coast of Brazil. Twenty subadult specimens of A. australis found recently dead on the southern coast of Brazil were necropsied and their lungs were examined. Parasitic cysts were found in only one specimen (prevalence of 5%). The helminths were morphologically identified as Parafilaroides normani (Metastrongyloidea: Filaroididae). This helminth species has been reported in pinnipeds from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This is the first record of P. normani in A. australis and for the western South Atlantic, providing additional data regarding the biogeographic distribution of the parasite.

Prevalence, associated risk factors and species identification of lung worm infection in sheep in Dangla district, Western Amhara, North West Ethiopia

Cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to May 2015 to determine lungworm prevalence, risk factors associated with lungworm infection and identifi cation of species of lungworm in sheep in Dangla district, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Prevalence of ovine lung worm at Jucavm open air veterinary clinic, Southwest Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma university veterinary clinic, Ethiopia from April 2018 to May 2018. The objectives of study were to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and associated risk factors in sheep. Coproscopic examination was done by using a modified Baermann technique. Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected sheep of systematically chosen households. The study animals were composed of different breeds, age groups, sexes, management systems, and subjected to different health care conditions. Out of 384 sheep examined, 69 (17.9%) were found to be positive for one or more species of lungworm parasites. Dictyocaulus filaria (6.8%) was the predominant species of parasite identified followed by Muellerius capillaries (4.7%) Protostrongylus rufescens (2.6%) and mixed infection of D. filaria and M. capillaries (3.9%). There was statistically significant difference in prevalence of lungworm parasite (P&lt;0.05)among the risk factor like body conditions of animals. Animals with young age, not dewormed, and managed under extensive production system were more infected with the parasites. On the other hand, the prevalence of the parasites among management, age groups, deworming history and sexes showed no statistically significant difference (P&gt;0.05). Despite the smaller prevalence observed in this study, ovine lungworm is still a constraint to sheep in the area in different season of the year, and therefore, vigorous controlling strategy should be implemented to reduce the prevalence of infection.

Lungworms in small ruminants in Burie district, Northwest Ethiopia

About half of small ruminant mortality and morbidity in Ethiopian highlands is caused by endoparasites including lungworms. The updated epidemiology of these parasites in different parts of the country is important to adopt local control measures. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of small ruminant lungworms, identify associated risk factors and the species of lungworms involved in small ruminants infection in Burie district, in the northwest Ethiopia. The study involved a cross-sectional coproscopic examination of 384 small ruminants randomly selected from the district from December 2016 to March 2017. An overall prevalence of 23.4% lungworms in small ruminants was recorded. The prevalence was significantly higher in goats (36.3%) than in sheep (15.5 %) (OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.95.0; p&lt;0.05), and in young animals (35.6%) than in adults (14.7%) (OR=3.2, 95% CI=2.0-5.2; p&lt;0.05). Dictyocaulus filaria was relatively the most prevalent species (38.9%) in the study area followed by Muellerius capillaries (26.7%), mixed infections (17.8%) and Protostrongylus rufescens (16.5%). The study revealed a high prevalence of lungworms in Burie district that needs attention of farmers and animal health service providers. Awareness of farmers about the problem and appropriate herd health management including strategic deworming of small ruminants that make use of risk factors identified in this study is suggested. Due to its high prevalence and severe pathogenicity, Dictyocaulus filaria, should be the primary target of control in the study area. Further study on seasonality of the parasite is needed to get more accurate information that helps for designing appropriate control strategy.Keywords: Dictyocaulus filaria; Lungworm; Muellerius capillaries; Protostrongy lusrufescens; Risk factor; Small ruminants

Endoparasitic infections and prevention measures in sheep and goats under mountain farming conditions in Northern Italy

In mountainous areas, where small ruminants form an integral part of livestock farming, an effective control of parasites is of high importance, because the animals are grazing on communal pasture land during the summer months. But knowledge on the infection status of the animals, which is needed for an effective control, is very limited in these areas. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of endoparasitic infections and the use of preventive measures in sheep and goat farms in South Tyrol, a mountainous region of Northern Italy. A questionnaire was used to collect information on farm structure and management as well as routine parasite control measures. Following the survey, a total of 3536 individual fecal samples from 123 sheep and goat flocks were analysed over three periods in autumn 2015, spring and autumn 2016 with routine methods including fecal egg counts (FEC) and oocysts counts (FOC). Animals were classified into <6 months, 7–12 months and >12 months of age. Goat flocks had an average herd size of 31 (range 5–125) and sheep flocks of 28 animals (range 2–100). Mountain sheep and goat breeds were dominant. More than 60% of the sheep and 40% the goat flocks were grazed on communal summer pastures at altitudes >1500 m a.s.l. Both sheep and goat farmers perceived gastrointestinal strongylid nematodes (GIN) as the most frequent parasites. Only 16% of the sheep and 30% of the goat farmers ever before this study did coprological examinations. More than 90% of the farms applied anthelmintic treatments; usually once (sheep: 32%, goats: 53%) or twice (sheep: 68%, goats: 42%) per year. Independent of the season, macrocyclic lactones were the most commonly used anthelmintics. More than 30% of the sheep-12 months and 16% >12 months were GIN-negative. Sheep <6 months had a lower FEC than animals of both other age classes (P < 0.05). In goats, 15.9% of the samples collected from animals <6 months were GIN-free. Age classes, however, did not differ for FEC in goats (P > 0.05). Third-stage larvae identified in coprocultures were dominated by Teladorsagia/Trichostrongylus in both sheep (56.5 ± 24.5%) and goats (60.5 ± 25.8%). While in sheep lambs had a higher FOC than both other age classes, kids did not differ from goats at an age of 7–12 months but only from those >12 months (P < 0.05). In sheep, tapeworms were found in around 13% in both groups below 12 months and 6.5% in sheep>12 months, while these parasites were identified in 18.5, 7.3 and 5.7% in goats <6 months, 7–12 months and >12 months, respectively. The prevalence of lungworms at flock level varied between seasons from 18 to 50% in sheep and 44–78% in goats. This first report on endoparasitic infections of sheep and goats in the mountainous region of South Tyrol reveals a high prevalence of endoparasites, especially GIN at a medium infection level, tapeworms and lungworms. Anthelmintics are regularly used, while fecal sampling for selective treatment only exceptionally. Therefore, parasite control measures should be optimized to reduce the risk for the development of anthelmintic resistance, which was already reported from neighboring regions.

A survey of Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (Nematoda) infections in equids in Urmia region, Iran

Dictyocaulus arnfieldi is a lungworm commonly found in equids; however, relatively little is known about it. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of equine lungworms in naturally-infected working and sporting horses, donkeys and mules in rural areas of Urmia, northwest Iran. The fecal samples were collected from 299 working horses, 57 sporting horses, 66 donkeys and 37 mules during the period March 2014 to June 2016. The collected fecal samples were processed within 48 hours following rectal sampling. The larval count/g (LPG) of feces was determined using the Baermann technique. The larvae were identified morphologically, and the arithmetic mean of the LPG was calculated at each sampling point. The overall prevalence of lungworm in all equine species was found to be 19.20%., with specific values of 15.71%, 0%, 31.81% and 24.32% being found in working horses, sporting horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. The working horses, donkeys and mules were also found to be heavily infected with Dictyocaulus arnfieldi and in addition to donkeys and mules, working horses are considered natural hosts for lungworm, and this has effects on both the epidemiology of parasitic infections and performance of the equids.

Parasite prevalence in Mycobacterium spp. infected dairy goats in the region of Murcia (south-east Spain).

Eighty-four Murciano-Granadina dairy goats slaughtered in the region of Murcia (South-East Spain) were necropsied to evaluate parasitic infections. The majority of the animals (94.0%) were parasitised and multiple infections were present. Twenty-one parasite species were found, including 18 nematode species (Muellerius capillaris, Dictyocaulus filaria, Neostrongylus linearis, Cystocaulus ocreatus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, T. occidentalis, T. trifurcata, Marshallagia marshalli, Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Trichostrongylus capricola, Nematodirus abnormalis, N. filicollis, N. spathiger, T. vitrinus, T. colubriformis, Trichuris spp., Chabertia ovina and Skrjabinema ovis); one trematode species (Dicrocoelium dendriticum); one arthropod species (Oestrus ovis); and one protozoa genus (Eimeria spp.). Additionally, 17.85% of the animals were Mycobacterium spp. positive. Therefore, comparison between parasite prevalence, intensity and abundance in tuberculosis-positive and -negative animals was performed. Statistically significant differences between the prevalence of lungworms and gastrointestinal nematodes in Mycobacterium spp. infected and free goats were found. The paper discusses this co-infection between Mycobacteriaceae and endoparasites.

CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON EQUINE LUNG WORM AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTOR IN AMBO DISTRICT, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPOIA

To determine the prevalence of lungworm, Dictyocacaulus arnifieldi and identify risk factors associated with occurrence of diseases in equines in and around Ambo town, in Oromia region, Ethiopia.&#x0D; Equine lungworm, Dictyocacaulus arnifieldi is a parasitic disease that affects horses, donkeys and mules, is widespread in study area. The infection is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated pasture which contains infective stage larvae of Dictyocacaulus arnifieldi. To-date, effective control program still remains to be a reality and needs to be strengthened.&#x0D; Purposive sampling technique was used to select study animals and performed using modified Berman technique in Ambo University veterinary laboratory technology. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression used to analyze using STATA statistical software version 9.&#x0D; From the total 384 equines (donkeys, n= 313, mules, n= 29, and horses, n= 42) the positive animal was 77 resulting the overall prevalence 20.1% equine lungworm. There is significance difference between Kebele (small admistrative unit), age, body condition and seasons of the study period (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; The study suggests that the community of the study area was highly affected lungworm infection, Dictyocacaulus arnifieldi. Therefore, awareness should be created to the owners regarding the management system of equine was recommended.

Prevalence of endoparasites in roe and red deer from Strzałowo Forest Inspectorate (Puszcza Piska) in different study periods and in animals of different ages

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of lungworms and gastrointestinal parasites in wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) from Strzałowo Forest Inspectorate (Puszcza Piska) in different study periods and in animals of different ages. Fecal samples were collected during autumn and winter hunting (2011-2013). A total of 173 fecal samples were analyzed by coproscopic techniques: 47 from roe deer and 126 from red deer. First-stage larvae (L1) of pulmonary nematodes were found in 4 samples from roe deer and in 86 samples from red deer. The prevalence of the Eimeria genus was 19.2 % in roe deer and 25.4 % in red deer. The prevalence of the Moniezia genus in red deer was 1.6 %, whereas no Moniezia eggs were found in roe deer. No fluke eggs were detected in either red deer or roe deer. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 53.2 % in roe deer and 58.7 % in red deer. Coinvasion by endoparasites was detected in 69.8 % of red deer and in 57.4 % of roe deer. There were no significant differences between the prevalence of parasites in wild deer (Cervidae) in different study periods. This may suggest that the prevalence of endoparasites among roe deer and red deer in Strzałowo Forest Inspectorate remains stable.]

Prevalence and Financial Losses of Lungworm Infection in Sheep in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2013 and March 2014 to determine the prevalence of lungworms in sheep in two districts of South Wollo zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Alongside the financial losses encountered due to lungworm infection in sheep during retrospective study in Dessie municipal Abattoir was also assessed. A total of 477 fecal samples collected from sheep were examined using modified Baerman technique. Out of which 218 were found to be positive (45.71%). The lungworm species were Muellerius capillaris 212(23.48%), Dictyocaulus filaria 39(8.18%), Protostrongylusrufescens 28(5.87%) and mixed infection 39(8.18%) either with two or three species. The prevalence of lungworm infection was significantly different between sexes (χ2=32.2, P= 0.000), age groups (χ2=72.561, p=0.000) and body conditions (χ2=113.66, p=0.000). Prevalence was significantly higher in female sheep (57.94%), sheep of above 3years of age (69.01%) and poor body condition (89.62%) than males, sheep of less than 3years of age (<1 year, 1–3 years) and medium/good body conditions, respectively. Moreover, sheep showing respiratory clinical syndromes, kept under extensive management system and sampled during wet season showed statistically significant variation (p<0.05) when compared with those sheep without respiratory syndrome, kept under semi-intensive management system and sampled in dry season, respectively. The mean annual financial losses by organ condemnation and carcass weight reduction due to lungworm infection in sheep slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir were estimate to be 7445549.6 ETB, equivalent to 402462.1USD.

Ovine Lung Worm Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Merhabete District, North Shoa, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was carried out from October to December 2011 with the objectives of determining the prevalence of ovine lungworms and assessing the associated potential risk factors in Merhabete district, North Shoa Administrative Zone, Amhara National Regional State. A total of 384 faecal samples were collected from randomly selected sheep for the examination of first stage larvae using modified Beermann technique. Of these 52.34% were found positive for lungworm infection. The lungworm parasites identified were include D. filarial, M. capillaries and mixed infection with prevalence of 35.42%, 7.55% and 9.37%, respectively. Among the potential risk factors assessed in the present study clinical signs, body condition and agro-climate were found to have significant association and play important role in the occurrence of lungworm infection. The prevalence was higher in animals showing clinical signs (67.77%), having poor body condition (63.89%), and originated from midland (57.95) than others. However, there was no statistically significant (p>0.05) between the occurrence of ovine lungworm and the factors sex and age groups. In conclusion, this study indicated that lungworms are important internal parasites in the study area which impairs the productivity of sheep, implying the need for control intervention.

Study on Comparative Prevalence of Lungworms of Sheep and Cattle Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir, Ethiopia

Study on Comparative Prevalence of Lungworms of Sheep and Cattle Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir, Ethiopia