TITLE:
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminants in the Greek Temperate Mediterranean Environment
AUTHORS:
Vaia Kantzoura, Marc K. Kouam, Helen Theodoropoulou, Haralambos Feidas, Georgios Theodoropoulos
KEYWORDS:
Risk Factors; Gastrointestinal Parasites; Sheep; Goats; Farm; Greece
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.2 No.1,
March
27,
2012
ABSTRACT: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections of sheep and goats were investigated in 69 farms located in Thessaly region of Greece, characterized by temperate Mediterranean climate, during two consecutive seasons. A total of 557 fecal samples were collected. Helminth eggs were detected in 44 (7.9%) samples. Strongyle-type eggs were found in 19 (3.4%) samples, Nematodirus spp. eggs in 6 (1.1%) samples, Trichuris spp. eggs in 16 (2.9%) samples, Fasciola hepatica in 3 (0.5%) samples, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum in 1 (0.2%) sample. Coccidian oocysts were found in 36 (6.5%) samples. Risk factors related to animal and farmer status, farm and pasture management, and environmental factors derived by satellite data were examined for their association with the prevalence of helmith infections. A logistic regression model showed that the educational level of farmers and the elevation of farm location were associated with helminth infections