Gastrointestinal Parasites of Domestic Mammalian Hosts in Southeastern Iran Publisher



Hatamnahavandi K¹ ; Carmena D^{2, 3} ; Rezaeian M⁴ ; Mirjalali H⁵ ; Rahimi HM⁵ ; Badri M⁶ ; Vafae Eslahi A⁶ ; Shahrivar FF⁷ ; Rodrigues Oliveira SM^{8, 9} ; Pereira MDL^{8, 10} ; Ahmadpour E¹¹
Source: Veterinary Sciences Published:2023

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are a major cause of disease and production loss in livestock. Some have zoonotic potential, so production animals can be a source of human infections. We describe the prevalence of GIP in domestic mammals in Southeastern Iran. Fresh fecal samples (n = 200) collected from cattle (n = 88), sheep (n = 50), goats (n = 23), camels (n = 30), donkeys (n = 5), horse (n = 1), and dogs (n = 3) were subjected to conventional coprological examination for the detection of protozoan (oo)cysts and helminth ova. Overall, 83% (166/200) of the samples were positive for one or more GIP. Helminths were found in dogs, donkeys, sheep (42%), camels (37%), goats (30%), and cattle (19%), but not in the horse. Protozoa were found in cattle (82%), goats (78%), sheep (60%), and camels (13%), but not in donkeys, dogs, or the horse. Lambs were 3.5 times more likely to be infected by protozoa than sheep (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.05–11.66), whereas sheep were at higher odds of being infected by helminths than lambs (OR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.06–16.59). This is the first study assessing the prevalence of GIP in domestic mammals in Southeastern Iran. © 2023 by the authors.