M.A. Thesis:

Frequency and epidemiology of macroscopic parasites (Echinococcus granulosus٫ Fasciolahpatica and Dicrocellium dendriticum) in liver of sheep imported from Afghanistan

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of macroscopic parasites (Echinococcus granulosus, Fasciolahpatica and Dicroselium dendriticum) in sheep imported from Afghanistan. The study population consisted of all records of livestock imported from Afghanistan to Birjand industrial slaughterhouse, with a total of 205 reported. In this cross-sectional study, 205 liver of these animals were examined. For each animal the necessary information including: age, sex and other information was collected in cooperation with the veterinarian responsible for slaughter inspection. The liver of the animals was macroscopically examined for cysts. If the parasite was observed, carcass information was recorded according to the number and date of sampling. Suspected cases were also sent to the laboratory where they were diagnosed definitively with the help of a microscope and samples. Existing records were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods according to the number of slaughtered cattle, the number of infected cattle and the number of cattle without parasites. The results showed that 80.5% of males and 19.5% of females imported from Birjand industrial slaughterhouse were from Afghanistan and 42.9% of them were infected with Echinococcus granulosus and 13.7% of them. Imported animals were Fasciolahpatica parasitic and 5.4% of imported animals were infected with Dicrocellulus dendriticum. The results of Chi-square test showed that there was statistical difference between frequency of infected animals and Einococcus granulosus parasites, also the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. There was a statistically significant difference in granulosus in male and female animals. There was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of infected and non-infected animals of Fasciolahpatica and Dicrocellulus dendriticum, but the prevalence of Dicrocellulus dendriticum in males and females was not significantly different.

Keywords: Echinococcus granulosus, Dicrocellium dendriticum, Fasciola spp., Liver, Import, Afghanistan