Parasites of livestock in Asir Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia

Estimating the total cost of bovine fasciolosis in Turkey

The aim of this study was to estimate the total cost of bovine fasciolosis under three different scenarios (expected, optimistic and pessimistic scenarios) in Turkey. The weighted mean prevalence of infection was calculated as 1·9% and the financial losses were estimated in US$ at 2010 current prices. The total costs of bovine fasciolosis per infected beef cattle and dairy cow were estimated as 223·7 US$ (201·3-246·1, under optimistic-pessimistic scenarios) and 430·7 US$ (387·6-473·7), respectively. Total cost of the disease was estimated as 7·4 million US$ (6·1-8·8) for beef cattle and 35·4 million US$ (28·9-42·6) for dairy cows. The nation-wide total cost of the disease in Turkey for 2010 was estimated to be 42·8 million US$ (35·1-51·4). Most of the losses arise from reduced meat yield, fertility and milk yield, and smaller losses are due to condemnation of livers and disease control expenditures. As a result, the quantity of these losses may help the farmers and policy makers to give the better decision for controlling and eradication of the animal diseases in Turkey.

Prevalence of non-strongyle gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to provide recent data on the occurrence of non-strongyle intestinal parasite infestation in horses in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia as a basis for developing parasite control strategies. We conducted necropsy for 45 horses from September 2006 to November 2007 in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. 39 out of 45 horses were infected with intestinal parasites with an infestation rate of 86.6%. Infestations with seven nematode species and two species of Gasterophilus larva were found. The most prevalent parasites were Strongyloides westeri (64.4%) and Parascaris equorum (28.8%) followed by Habronema muscae (22.2%). Trichostrongylus axei and Oxyuris equi were less common at (11.1%) and (8.8%), respectively. Habronema megastoma and Setaria equine were found in two horses only (4.4%). Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae were recovered from 39 horses (86.6%) and Gasterophilus nasalis larvae were found in 17 horses (37.7%). Season had a significant effect on the prevalence of P. equorum and G. nasalis, while age of horses had a significant effect only on the prevalence of P. equorum. The husbandry in Saudi Arabia appears to be conductive to parasites transmitted in stables or by insects rather than in pasture.

Important endoparasites in sheep and goat flocks in Jordan

In spring 1992 in Jordan 70 flocks of sheep and goats were investigated coproscopically. 838 of altogether 882 small ruminants (= 95.01%) harboured endoparasites. In three different parts of the country--in the vicinities of Ma'an, Kerak and Amman--the results were similar (Dictyocaulus, Nematodirus, Moniezia) or they differed (protostrongylids, Marshallagia and other trichostrongylids, Eimeria). In connection with the established parasite status remarks concerning the therapy, including the problems involved as well as remarks concerning the time of treatment in the investigated area will be made. Finally, suggestions will be made for important and specialized follow-up studies regarding improvement of the situation in this country.