Introduction: Haemonchus spp. are considered the most important strongylid
nematodes with a worldwide distribution. The parasite’s blood-sucking nature
can lead to severe anemia in infected animals. Despite its widespread impact,
there is a dearth of comprehensive data on morphological and molecular
identification methods for Haemonchus spp. in sheep from Upper Egypt.
To address this gap, our current study aimed to assess the prevalence of
Haemonchus spp. in 400 sheep fecal samples.
Methods: We employed microscopic examination and molecular techniques,
using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S gene for precise
identification. Additionally, the potential risk factors associated with the infection
by the parasite in sheep were explored.
Results: The study pointed out that 33.00% (132 of 400) of the examined sheep
were infected with Haemonchus spp. Sheep age and seasonal variability were
found to be significant factors (p < 0.05) associated with the infection. Notably,
sheep under 2 years old exhibited a higher risk, with an infection rate of 43.75%
(84 out of 192), than their older counterparts. Furthermore, all reported infections
were exclusively observed during the cold season, constituting 58.93% (132 out
of 224) of cases. By contrast, no statistically significant association (p > 0.05)
was found between the sex of the examined sheep and the occurrence of
haemonchosis. Employing molecular methods, we isolated and identified the
parasite through PCR analysis of cultured larvae, which were then subsequently
confirmed as Haemonchus contortus via phylogenetic analysis.
Discussion: The study concluded that there was a relatively high occurrence of
H. contortus among sheep from Upper Egypt. We recommend the implementation
of stringent and effective control measures to combat the infection and safeguard
livestock health.