Seroprevalence of Fasciola Hepatica in Sheep in the Province of Van and Some Districts

Abstract

This study was carried out on 352 sheep 110 of which is below the age of 2, 171 is between 2-6 and 71 is above the age of 6 to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica in sheep in the centre of Van and its districs Özalp, Saray, Gevaş and Gürpinar between January and December 2009. All feces and blood samples were examined in the point of the eggs of parasite in feces and specific antibodies, respectively by Benedek sedimentation and antibody ELISA techniques. The origin of sheep, date of sample collection, age and sex of the sheep were recorded. In the research areas, the coprological prevalence and seroprevalence of fasciolasis in sheep were determined as 15.63 % and 49.43%, respectively. In the infected sheep, Fasciola hepatica were found by benedek sendimentation. The highest prevalence seroprevalence of Fasciolosis was observed among the sheep above age of 6 (83.9 %) and followed by 2-6 age group (46.19%) and <2 age group of sheep (36.32%). In the point of statistics, the difference between the age groups was significant (According to Chi-Square testing P<0.001). The seroprevalence of fasciolasis was %50.35 among females and %45.71 among males which was not accepted as a remarkable difference (P>0.001). As a result Fasciola hepatica was commonly detected in sheep in Van province. Epidemiology and control of this parasitic infections in the region for further studies are needed. © Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.