Explore the vast range of titles available.

Liver flukes ( Fasciola spp.) and rumen flukes ( Paramphistomum spp.) are significant parasites in livestock worldwide, and Fasciola spp. are considered an important zoonotic parasite. To our knowledge, there are no reports on fluke species identification and epidemiological prevalence in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, China. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the major fluke species and determine the prevalence of fluke infections among yak and Tibetan sheep in this area. A total of 307 fecal samples were collected and fluke eggs identified using morphology and molecular methods. Our study is the first to display that the predominant fluke species were F. hepatica and P. leydeni in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake. The overall prevalence of fluke infections in yak and Tibetan sheep was 57.7% (177/307). Specifically, the prevalences of F. hepatica and P. leydeni were 15.0% (46/307) and 31.6% (97/307), respectively, and the co-infection of both species was 11.1% (34/307). No significant difference existed in the prevalence of overall fluke infection between yak and Tibetan sheep ( p  < 0.05). However, F. hepatica prevalence was significantly different in yak and Tibetan sheep ( p  < 0.05) but not P. leydeni . The findings of this study provide useful information about the current status of natural fluke invasion in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, which could be important for monitoring and controlling these parasites in the region.

Rumen flukes have received growing veterinary attention in western and central Europe during the past two decades because of an increase in prevalence of infection in cattle and sheep, including cases of severe clinical disease. Historically, rumen fluke infections in Europe were assumed to be caused mainly by Paramphistomum cervi (or species, which were later considered to be synonymous with P. cervi), but more recently molecular studies demonstrated Calicophoron daubneyi to be the predominating species. For the present investigation, adult rumen flukes isolated from 23 cattle originating from ten farms in Germany (Saxony [1], Baden-Württemberg [4], Bavaria [5]) and one farm in Austria (Tyrol) were analyzed to establish partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the complete sequence of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Flukes of five animals (dairy cows from three farms in Bavaria) were determined as P. leydeni, and flukes of 18 animals (dairy cows or cattle from cow-calf operations from eight farms in Saxony [1], Baden-Württemberg [4], Bavaria [2], and Tyrol [1]) were identified as C. daubneyi. Based on the molecular analysis of adult rumen flukes collected from cattle, the results of this investigation confirm the common occurrence of C. daubneyi in Germany and reveal the first definitive findings of P. leydeni in Germany and C. daubneyi in Austria.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rumen flukes on German cattle farms via the sedimentation technique, and to identify the rumen fluke species occurring in Germany. Additionally, the prevalence of patent Fasciola hepatica infections was determined. Furthermore, a short questionnaire was answered by the farmers. A prevalence of 5.5% and 9.5% was detected for rumen flukes and liver flukes, respectively. Coinfections occurred on 2.1% of farms. In northern Germany, the rumen fluke prevalence was higher than in southern Germany, while for liver fluke the distribution was reversed. Rumen flukes were mostly identified as Calicophoron daubneyi, but in four cases, sequencing revealed Paramphistomum leydeni for the first time in Germany. Grazing and feeding of fresh grass, as well as organic farming, were significantly associated with rumen and liver fluke occurrence. In contrast, suckler cow husbandry only had an influence on the occurrence of rumen flukes, but not liver flukes. Trematode eggs could be detected in both, farms with and without deworming. Since there were only a few studies about Paramphistomidosis in Germany, more attention should be paid to these parasitic diseases for animal welfare and animal health reasons.

Background Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism remains a critical challenge in livestock health management, particularly in tropical regions where environmental conditions favor parasite proliferation. This study conducted an 8-year retrospective analysis (2017–2024) of GI parasites in dairy cattle across 11 districts in Bangladesh. Methods Data were sourced from a private veterinary diagnostic laboratory, with a focus on the prevalence, types, and trends of GI parasites as well as associated risk factors. GI parasites were identified using different coproscopic methods including direct smear, flotation, and sedimentation. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive analysis, followed by Poisson regression. Results The most prevalent parasites identified were Schistosoma spp. (57.3%) and Paramphistomum spp. (22.6%), with notable peaks in prevalence during the years 2019 (65%) and 2021 (62%) for Schistosoma spp. and in 2017 (32%) for Paramphistomum spp. Other parasites, such as Balantidium (B.) coli , presented a lower but consistent prevalence (9.8%), whereas Fasciola spp. and Haemonchus spp. were identified less frequently. The analysis revealed that various factors significantly influenced parasite incidence, including seasonal variations, district-specific ecological conditions, and animal-related factors. Statistical analyses, particularly Poisson regression, demonstrated that male cattle (RR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.230–0.401) had a lower risk of infection with Schistosoma spp. than females, whereas regions with abundant water bodies, such as Manikganj (RR: 11.9, 95% CI: 6.801–20.648, p < 0.001), Mymensingh (RR:7.9, 95% CI: 2.243–27.78, p < 0.01), and Narayanganj (RR: 6.6, 95% CI: 3.867–11.177, p < 0.001), presented higher prevalence rates. Seasonal trends revealed increased prevalence rates during the winter ( Schistosoma spp.: RR: 1.5, CI: 1.090–1.919, p < 0.05; Paramphistomum spp.: RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.322–3.299; B. coli : RR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.672–2.151; and Fasciola spp. RR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.322–4.555), which aligns with periods of more significant water usage and potential exposure to contaminated sources. Conclusion This study underscores the need for targeted parasite control programs, particularly in high-risk areas, and advocates for improved livestock management practices and regular veterinary interventions to mitigate the economic and health impacts of GI parasites. These findings provide valuable insights for developing tailored parasite management strategies to increase the productivity and well-being of dairy cattle in Bangladesh. Graphical Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rumen flukes parasitize the rumen and reticulum of ruminants, causing paramphistomiasis. Over the years, there has been considerable debate as to whether Paramphistomum leydeni and Paramphistomum cervi are the same or distant species. METHODS: In the present study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of P. leydeni was amplified using PCR-based sequencing and compared with that of P. cervi. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of P. leydeni specimens (n = 6) and P. cervi specimens (n = 8) was amplified and then sequenced. Phylogenetic relationship of the concatenated amino acid sequence data for 12 protein-coding genes of the two rumen flukes and selected members of Trematoda was evaluated using Bayesian inference (BI). RESULTS: The complete mt genome of P. leydeni was 14,050 bp in size. Significant nucleotide difference between the P. leydeni mt genome and that of P. cervi (14.7%) was observed. For genetic divergence in ITS-2, sequence difference between P. leydeni and P. cervi was 3.1%, while no sequence variation was detected within each of them. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that P. leydeni and P. cervi are closely-related but distinct rumen flukes. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study support the proposal that P. leydeni and P. cervi represent two distinct valid species. The mt genome sequences of P. leydeni provide plentiful resources of mitochondrial markers, which can be combined with nuclear markers, for further comparative studies of the biology of P. leydeni and its congeners from China and other countries.

Aim: This study aimed to measure the occurrence of trematodiasis in cattle along the Progo River, a district of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The findings help to establish the magnitude of the disease and encourage prevention and treatment of this condition. Materials and Methods: Trematode eggs were extracted from 100 fecal samples collected from cattle. The eggs were examined using the sedimentation technique, and the method of Parfitt and Banks was used to differentiate Paramphistomum spp. eggs from Fasciola spp. eggs. Results: The infection rate of trematode parasites was 50%. Cattle experienced multiple infections of both Paramphistomum spp. and Fasciola spp., as well as single infections of one species or the other. All breeds were vulnerable to infections of both trematode species, although different cattle breeds, including Peranakan Ongole crossbreeds, Simmental crossbreeds, and Limousin crossbreeds, showed differences in infection rate. The highest rate of infection with Paramphistomum spp. (15.78%) occurred in the Simmental crossbreeds. The highest rate of infection (31.57%) with Fasciola spp. was in the Peranakan Ongole crossbreeds. Multiple infections of both Paramphistomum spp. and Fasciola spp. were highest in Simmental crossbreed cattle (28.97%). Conclusion: The high infection rates of trematode parasites found in fecal samples, particularly of Fasciola spp., indicate that the cattle along the Progo River in Indonesia experience a high rate of trematodiasis disease.

Fascioliasis and paramphistomiasis are crucial trematode infections that cause substantial economic losses in cattle production in Indonesia. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of these trematode prevention programs. This study assessed the prevalence of Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. and the associated risk factors in Borangan Village, Klaten Regency, Central Java, as part of a community service project. In this study, 101 fecal samples were collected, and 98 farmers were surveyed. The samples were examined using the sedimentation technique at the Disease Investigation Center (Balai Besar Veteriner) Wates. The prevalence of fascioliasis was 24.75%. Of the total, coinfections of Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. were found in 4.95% of samples. The risk factors evaluation showed no significant difference in odds ratio (OR) between groups with different anthelmintic management practices and different feeding managements. The results showed that there were only slight differences in the prevalence of trematodes in the cattle that received anthelmintics treatment in less than 6 months (25%), more than 6 months (26.67%), and never received anthelmintics (23.53%) prior to the survey; prescribed anthelmintics by veterinarian (27,27%) compared to self-prescription (25.93%); and fed using wet forages (26.19%) compared to dry forages (17.65%). The findings indicate inadequate prevention programs for fascioliasis and paramphistomiasis. Future programs are necessary to assess and improve anthelmintic drug practices and cattle management strategies to reduce infections effectively.

In Europe, paramphistomosis caused by Paramphistomum spp. was historically regarded as being of minor importance. However, Calicophoron daubneyi has recently been recognized as an emerging pathogen in Europe due to its increasing prevalence and negative impact on livestock production. In search for paramphistomid flukes, 5573 beef cattle fecal samples from 115 farms across the whole Czech Republic were examined from March 2019 to June 2021. The eggs of paramphistomid flukes were identified in 29.9% of samples. Internal transcribed spacer 2 sequences from 90 adult flukes and 125 fecal samples collected across Czech Republic confirmed C. daubneyi infection in the Czech beef cattle. Ninety mitochondrial DNA sequences obtained from adult C. daubneyi specimens revealed 13 individual haplotypes, two of them recorded for the first time. Although C. daubneyi is a new parasite in beef cattle herds in the Czechia, it clearly dominates the parasitological findings in the country's beef cattle. The common occurrence of C. daubneyi in most of the beef cattle herds indicates environmental conditions suitable also for the life cycle of Fasciola hepatica and risk of its emergence.

Background Rumen flukes are trematode parasites found globally; in tropical and sub-tropical climates, infection can result in paramphistomosis, which can have a deleterious impact on livestock. In Europe, rumen fluke is not regarded as a clinically significant parasite, recently however, the prevalence of rumen fluke has sharply increased and several outbreaks of clinical paramphistomosis have been reported. Gaining a better understanding of rumen fluke transmission and identification of risk factors is crucial to improve the control of this parasitic disease. In this regard, a national prevalence study of rumen fluke infection and an investigation of associated risk factors were conducted in Irish sheep flocks between November 2014 and January 2015. In addition, a molecular identification of the rumen fluke species present in Ireland was carried out using an isolation method of individual eggs from faecal material coupled with a PCR. After the DNA extraction of 54 individual eggs, the nuclear fragment ITS-2 was amplified and sequenced using the same primers. Results An apparent herd prevalence of 77.3 % was determined. Several risk factors were identified including type of pasture grazed, regional variation, and sharing of the paddocks with other livestock species. A novel relationship between the Suffolk breed and higher FEC was reported for the first time. The predominant rumen fluke species found was C. daubneyi . Nevertheless, P. leydeni was unexpectedly identified infecting sheep in Ireland for the first time. Conclusions An exceptionally high prevalence of rumen fluke among Irish sheep flocks has been highlighted in this study and a more thorough investigation is necessary to analyse its economic impact. The isolation of individual eggs coupled with the PCR technique used here has proven a reliable tool for discrimination of Paramphistomum spp. This technique may facilitate forthcoming studies of the effects of paramphistomosis on livestock production. The most noteworthy finding was the identification of P. leydeni affecting sheep in Ireland, however further studies are required to clarify its implications. Also, a significant relationship between Suffolk breed and a heavier infection was found, which can be used as a starting point for future research on control strategies of rumen fluke infection.

This study examines the prevalence of helminthic infestations, risk factors, and odds ratios in 1 300 cattle, revealing significant patterns in parasite distribution and influencing factors. Overall, 60.3% of cattle were infested with one or more types of parasites, with spp. being the most prevalent (46.9%), followed by  spp. (36.9%), spp. (26.8%), and spp. (10.8%). Among the seasons, winter exhibited the highest infestation rate (66.1%), and calves under one year of age were more commonly infested (64.2%) than older cattle (over three years: 51.1%, OR = 0.584 1). Distinct seasonal and age-related patterns were observed for specific parasites. spp. was most prevalent in winter (45.09%) and among the youngest cattle (47.87%), while spp. and spp. showed less variation across seasons. spp. had the lowest infestation rates in the spring, and cattle older than three years were affected. Co-infections were common, notably between Fasciola and other parasites, with the highest co-infestation rate observed between spp. and spp. Analysis of deworming efficacy indicated higher treatment success for spp. and spp., lower odds of response for spp., and no significant treatment effect for spp. Microscopic and pathological examinations were also conducted. These results demonstrate the necessity of thorough deworming procedures along with targeted parasite control to reduce significant health hazards in cattle populations.