Incidence of rumen flukes in ruminants in Behera province, Egypt

ABSTRACT

A survey on the rumen flukes infesting ruminants in Behera province, Egypt was carried out to assess the prevalence in association with the season, age, sex and breed through a period of one year from July 2008 to June 2009. The rumen and reticulum of 329 slaughtered animals [246 cattle and 83 buffaloes] were examined for the presence of worms. Moreover, faecal samples from 644 live animals [408 cattle and 236 buffaloes] from the clinics of the veterinary centers were investigated for the presence of paramphistomid eggs. The incidence of infection among slaughtered cattle and buffaloes was 26.1% and 25.3%. Also, it reached 34.6% and 32.6% among those examined coprologically. Generally season and breed were of the factors found to have an influence on rumen fluke infestation. The high incidence was found in Summer season, lower age groups, females and in cattle breed. Winter, old animals, males and buffaloes reported lower rates of infection. This was observed during examination of slaughtered as well as animals examined coprologically