Prevalence and signficance of gastrointestinal parasites in desert sheep in the triangular area v(shalatin-abu-ramaid-halaeeb)‎ red sea governorate, egypt and trials of treatment : with 9 tables, 3 figures and 1 plate

Abstract EN

A carpological survey to assess the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites infecting sheep in the triangular area (Shalatin- Abu-Ramaid-Halaeeb) Red -Sea Governorate, Egypt, was done from January to December 2008; a study was carried out on 982 sheep of different ages.

The study involved monthly faucal examinations from sheep, and pasture sampling from communal grazing areas.

The sheep-level prevalence of GIT was 670 (68.22%).

Eggsof Haemonchus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichuris sp., Ostertagia sp., Chabertia sp.

Nematodes sp., Marshalgia mar shall sp., Monteria sp., Fascicle sp., and oocytes of Emerita were encountered in 23.62%, 13.34%, 10.38%, 9.36%, 8.75%, 7.33%, 6.41%, 2.34%, 1.83%, 3.66 % 6.61% of the faucal samples respectively.

However, only Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Strongyloides and Trichuris eggs occurred throughout the year and were common during the winter season than in the summer season.

Other nematodes, custodies, flukes eggs and protozoa infections showed a seasonal pattern in prevalence.

Single infections recorded high rate of infection (48.78%), while mixed infection was represented by (%12.72).

The mean faucal egg counts (epg) of nematodes ranged from 100-1350 with a high peak of egg production during the winter season.

Lambs were more commonly infected and had higher worm counts than adult sheep.

Irrespective of the age of sheep, higher worm counts were generally encountered during winter season than in summer season.

On coproculture of positive faucal samples and pasture samples from communal grazing area producing third stage larvae in order of prevalence were Haemonchus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Oesophgastomum sp, Strogyloides sp.

and Osteratagia sp.

Pasture larval count and faucal egg counts (epg) peaked towards the end of rainy season, based on conditions of the study area.

Hematological values revealed that affected sheep had significantly lower total erythrocyte count, Hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, higher ^t ^ ,e0SinpM1 count Affected animals were successfully treated with oral dose of albendazole.

Efficacy of the drug was assessed fl™ \ ° fS£nCe °f Parasitic e^s in the faecal sample, clinical ' vnWT ^ ^eight gain.

Based on this study, it is now possible to ZSt i°SSlbl % °f ^ strategic termite for the control of parasitic gastroenteritis in this area.