Flukes (Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae) of a Zerasca flock were considered in the present study. Zerasca represents one of the most important native italian ovine breed in endangered status and it was never considered previously in parasitological studies. The aim of this work was the evaluation of the presence of these parasites in the flock and their monthly fluctuation, in order to determine the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures. To this end, parasitological analysis were performed during a period of one year on individual faecal samples collected monthly from 40 sheep untreated against these parasites. Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae prevalence was high during all the year (mean values 97.3% and 71.2% respectively), showing that sheep grazed in extremely contaminated pastures. Their seasonal fluctuation was in accordance with previous studies on other italian sheep breeds, confirming a summer decrease for D. dendriticum and a spring rise and an autumn decrease for Paramphistomidae. The prevalence found for these flukes could be linked with productive performance losses. If compared with the other species, the prevalence of F. hepatica resulted lower, and it was not constant during the year. However, in autumn it reached high mean value (40%), whose productive risks must not be underestimated. In conclusion, this work underline the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures in order to control Zerasca flukes. On the other hand, they could be effective only if all the flocks grazing in the same pastures are involved in a proper control plan.
Distomatosi in un allevamento di pecora Zerasca
PERRUCCI, STEFANIA;BENVENUTI, MARIA NOVELLA;GIULIOTTI, LORELLA
2005-01-01
Abstract
Flukes (Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae) of a Zerasca flock were considered in the present study. Zerasca represents one of the most important native italian ovine breed in endangered status and it was never considered previously in parasitological studies. The aim of this work was the evaluation of the presence of these parasites in the flock and their monthly fluctuation, in order to determine the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures. To this end, parasitological analysis were performed during a period of one year on individual faecal samples collected monthly from 40 sheep untreated against these parasites. Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae prevalence was high during all the year (mean values 97.3% and 71.2% respectively), showing that sheep grazed in extremely contaminated pastures. Their seasonal fluctuation was in accordance with previous studies on other italian sheep breeds, confirming a summer decrease for D. dendriticum and a spring rise and an autumn decrease for Paramphistomidae. The prevalence found for these flukes could be linked with productive performance losses. If compared with the other species, the prevalence of F. hepatica resulted lower, and it was not constant during the year. However, in autumn it reached high mean value (40%), whose productive risks must not be underestimated. In conclusion, this work underline the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures in order to control Zerasca flukes. On the other hand, they could be effective only if all the flocks grazing in the same pastures are involved in a proper control plan.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
