ABSTRACT
The prevalence of helminthes of sheep concerning age, sex, and seasonal variation (the cold and temperate seasons including all months of the year except July and August, but the hot season including July and August) were studied in Assiut Governorate, Egypt from February 2022 to January 2023. Fecal examination of 100 sheep revealed that 47 (47%) were positive. Mixed infection with at least two species of helminth parasites was recorded. Five genera of helminthes were identified. Of them, three genera were nematodes, namely, Strongyle spp. (33%), Strongyloides papillosus (32%), and Trichuris ovis (5%); one genus was trematodes, namely, Paramphistomum cervi (7%); and one genus was cestodes, namely, Moniezia spp (2 %). The prevalence of helminthes was higher in young sheep aged < 2 years (60.4%) than in adults aged > 2 years (34.6%). Prevalence of helminthes in females was higher (47.1%) than in males (46.7%). Regarding seasonal variation, the prevalence of helminthes was significantly higher in the cold and temperate season (all months of the year except July and August) (47%) than in the hot seasons (July and August) (0%). A higher prevalence of helminth infection during the cold and temperate season might be due to high humidity, which flourishes the development and growth of the larval stage and intermediate host in pasture, whereas in the hot season, dryness led to killing larval stage and intermediate host. We recommend increasing the prevention and treatment of parasitic infestation during cold and climate seasons by veterinarians to keep higher production of farm animals.
Keywords: Prevalence, Helminthes, Sheep, Assiut.