Serological Prevalence of Anti-Fasciola Hepatica Antibodies in Sheep

Abstract

HIS STUDY aims to investigate serological prevalence of F. hepatica in sheep with estimating the degree of positivity and association to epidemiological risk factors. Totally, 460 sheep were selected and blood sampled to testing the obtained sera by indirect ELISA. The findings revealed that the prevalence of anti-F. hepatica IgG antibodies in sheep was 39.78% with existence 1.96% of dubious cases. According to degree of seropositivity, heavy infestation (49.73%) was increased significantly in comparison with mild (13.11%) and moderate (37.16%) infestations. The results of risk factors showed a significant increasing in positivity, Odds ratio and relative risk in sheep of 13-24 months old; and reduction in sheep of 6 months old. Subsequently, mild infestation was increased at 6 months old; whereas, moderates and heavies were appeared at 25 and 13-24 months old, respectively. Seropositivity, Odds ratio and relative risk were higher in Al-Kut than Al-Hay and Al-Numaniyah. Concerning degrees of positivity, mild and moderate infestations were detected at Al-Hay; while, heavy infestation in Al-Numaniyah. No significant variation was found between females and males; however, females appeared at higher risk than males. For degrees of seropositivity, moderates and heavies were elevated significantly in males and females, respectively. In conclusion, this represents the first serological study targets detection of F. hepatica in sheep of Wasit province (Iraq). Therefore, additional investigations using the advanced assays (serology and molecular assay) appear necessary to determine the rate of positivity in animals, and areas at higher risk of parasitic contamination and infection.