Gastrointestinal helminthosis in sheep in Iran

Gastrointestinal tracts of sheep of Assyrians (nomadic people) and local farmers were examined in abattoirs of Shiraz, Iran for four years. Gongylonema pulchrum was observed in 11 out of 258 oesophagus and paramphistomes in 7 out of 95 rumen. A total 58.86% abomasii and 77.65% intestines were positive for various helminths. Abomasii contained nine species of different strongyle nematodes predominated with Trichostrongylus sp., Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia sp. The small intestines showed four species of cestodes viz., Moniezia expansa, M. benedeni, Avitellina centripunctata and Stilesia globipunctata and seven species of nematodes; Trichostrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., Bunostomum sp. and Strongyloides sp. where as large intestines contained moderate infection with Oesophagostomum sp. and Trichuris sp. Abomasii with heavy infection (>200) showed haemorrhages, ulcerations, swelling of mucosa and areas of necrosis. Infected small intestines were full of black coloured ingesta and duodenum showed multiple haemorrhages and ulcerations. Heavy nematode infections in gastrointestinal tract of Assyrians' sheep might be responsible for great economic losses and need effective control measures.