Prevalence of Paramphistomum Infection in Cattle and Sheep in Van Province, Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out in naturally infected cattle and sheep from May, 2006 to April 2007 in Van province, in the eastern of Turkey, to assess the prevalence of paramphistomosis. The rumen and reticulum of slaughtered cattle and sheep were collected monthly from abattoirs (Van Municipality of Slaughterhouse) to monitor the seasonal occurrence of paramphistomosis. 447 cattle and 948 sheep were examined, out of which 8.95 and 4.43 % were positive for Paramphistomum infection, with the mean intensity +/- standard error of mean of 97.55 +/- 12.50 and 89.17 +/- 13.02, respectively. The highest infection in the cattle and sheep infected with Paramphistomum spp. was found during the autumn (September to November) (14.10 %, 8.33 %) and fallowed by the summer seasons (June to August) (9.02 %, 5.18 %).