Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminant Autochthonous Breeds from Centre Region of Portugal—A Cross Sectional Study

Maria Aires Pereira, Maria João Vila-Viçosa, Catarina Coelho, Carla Santos, Fernando Esteves, Rita Cruz, Liliana Gomes, Diogo Henriques, Helena Vala, Carmen Nóbrega, Ana Cristina Mega, Carolina de Melo, Madalena Malva, Joana Braguez, Teresa Letra Mateus

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Abstract

The production of small ruminant autochthonous breeds in the Centre region of Portugal is practiced in a semi-extensive husbandry system, exposing animals to parasitic infections. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and identify risk factors. Fecal samples of 203 goats and 208 sheep from 30 herds were collected per rectum and subjected to the modified Baermann test. The overall prevalence of infection was 57.7%, significantly higher in goats (95.6%) than in sheep (20.7%) (p < 0.001). According to the binary logistic regression model, sheep dewormed with albendazole, mebendazole plus closantel, or ivermectin plus clorsulon presented a risk of Protostrongylidae infection 29.702, 7.426, or 8.720 times higher, respectively, than those dewormed with eprinomectin. Additionally, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in 307 fecal samples using Mini-FLOTAC®. The overall prevalence of infection was 86.3%, also significantly higher in goats (93.2%) than in sheep (79.9%) (p < 0.001). Strongyle-type eggs were the most frequently identified, both in sheep (69.8%) and goats (87.8%), followed by Eimeria oocysts (40.3% in sheep and 68.9% in goats). Considering the high prevalence and the burden of lungworm parasitic infection, it is urgent to determine its economic impact and the repercussions in animal health in the Centre region of Portugal to establish appropriate therapeutic guidelines.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1241
JournalAnimals
Volume14
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024

Keywords

  • Dictyocaulus filaria
  • goat
  • lungworm infection
  • Muellerius capillaris
  • Protostrongylidae
  • risk factors
  • sheep

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