Coprological study of the Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Digenea) egg elimination by cattle in highland areas in León Province, northwest Spain.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum egg output in cattle from five locations of the Porma river basin (León Province, Northwest Spain) was studied at monthly intervals between March 1986 and March 1987. We found D. dendriticum eggs in 37.64% of the 1251 samples examined, and the number of eggs per gram (epg) ranged from 10 to 1000 (average, 41.65 +/- 2.73). The main egg-elimination period, for prevalence, was autumn-winter. The average epg values were quite similar during all months except March, when the maximum was detected. The infection prevalence increased in cattle aged up to 2 years and then a slight, gradual decrease was observed with increasing host age. The average epg values ranged from 40.08 +/- 3.24 to 48.33 +/- 12.42 in all age groups except the oldest animals, for which the figures were lower. The rate of egg elimination was higher in animals that came from locations situated at a greater altitude.

Dynamics of the elimination of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Trematoda, Digenea) eggs in the faeces of lambs and ewes in the Porma basin (León, NW Spain).

The elimination of Dicrocoelium dendriticum eggs in sheep faeces from 4 localities in the upper and middle Porma river basin was recorded at monthly intervals between March 1986 and March 1987. The faecal material was taken directly from the rectum of the animals (10% of the flock in each village). The sedimentation technique and McMaster egg counting chambers were used to analyze the faecal samples. Of the 995 samples examined, 63.6% contained D. dendriticum eggs and the number of eggs per gram (epg) varied from 33 to 5,340 (average 323.4 +/- 18.5). The highest elimination rate was observed in winter, not only because of prevalence (90.5%) but also because of the epg (average 726.6 +/- 88.4). Prevalence of infection (from 61.5 to 65.4%) was similar for all age groups, although the highest mean epg value (367.6 +/- 50.9) was found in lambs.

Dynamics of elimination of the eggs of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda, Digenea) in the faeces of cattle in the Porma Basin, Spain.

In order to contribute to the knowledge of the epizootiological conditions in which fasciolosis develops in the León mountains, the elimination of Fasciola hepatica eggs in 10% of the total number of cattle (1301 samples) at five locations in the Porma river basin was recorded at monthly intervals between March 1986 and March 1987. The parasite was found in cattle [29.5% prevalence, average of 51.6 +/- 4.5 eggs g-1 (e.p.g.) faeces] throughout the year. The main egg elimination period was winter-spring, with maximum prevalence in January and maximum e.p.g. in February-March. Prevalence of infection in cattle generally increased with the host's age, whilst the average e.p.g. varied between different age groups.