Prevalence of Bovine Fascioliasis in Hawler Modern Abattoir, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

Fascioliasis in Iraq is prevalent and causes critical economic losses. The aim of this study were to evaluate and determine the prevalence of bovine fascioliasis in Hawler modern abattoir in Erbil province, Iraq, also to evaluate the host related risk factors on the occurrence of fascioliasis and to access the hematological and biochemical changes in infected animals. Hematological and biochemical parameters of 21 infected cattle were compared with 30 parasitefree cattle. Out of 850 slaughtered cattle in the abattoir from July to October 2019, the prevalence rate of fascioliasis infection was 2.471%. The study revealed significantly higher bovine prevalence in female than male (P<0.05). The infection was higher significantly in local breeds than imported ones (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the fluke among different body conditions (P>0.05), the highest infection rate occurred in the poor body conditions. Age groups didn't show significant difference in the prevalence of bovine fascioliasis. Significantly lower red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), reported in infected cattle when compared to non-infected ones. Values of each of White blood cells (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher in infected cattle than non-infected cattle. There was no significant difference between the mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the infected cattle and the non-infected animals. Infection with fascioliasis induced biochemical changes in infected cattle, values of each of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALP) were significantly higher in infected animals than parasite free animals (P>0.05).

Elisa Assays Versus Coprological Detection of Fasciola Hepatica in Horses in Sulaimani Province-North Iraq

“…Climate and other environmental factors, such as the presence of water bodies, wetlands, and pastures, have a significant impact on the distribution of F. hepatica. These elements contribute to the development and transmission of free-living fluke stages by creating an environment that is conducive to the intermediate host's growth and reproduction (Charlier et al, 2011, Relf et al, 2011, Olsen et al, 2015, other relevant factors, such as age, breed, stocking rate, and type of farming system, in addition to climate and environmental factors, are also influencing the likelihood of infection (Fox et al, 2011, Kuerpick et al, 2013, Petros et al, 2013, Caminade et al, 2015, Olsen et al, 2015 Fasciolosis is prevalent in Iraq, and annually causes critical economical losses, in a recent study it was found that the occurrence of fasciolosis in cattle that had been slaughtered was 2.47% in the Erbil province (Ismael and Chalabi, 2021), and 2.30% in the Koya Abattoir that belonging to the Erbil province (Hassan, 2018). Currently, an indirect ELISA technique was used on the serum and milk samples in order to find out how common infections are in small ruminants in the Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (Mikaeel, 2020).…”