الفهرس 
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Abstract
Helminth and coccidian infections are among potential parasitic infections in the livestock production. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminths as well as Eimeria species in domestic sheep and goats. Currently, it has been revealed that the overall prevalence of parasitic infections in examined sheep was 57.14% (200/350). Twenty three species of helminth eggs/Eimeria spp. oocysts were revealed. The prevalence of helminths was 14.29 % (50/350) and that of Eimeria spp. was 51.43% (180/350). Mixed infection was reported in 8.57% (30/350).
The revealed trematodes included Fasciola spp. 0.57% (2/350) and Paramphistomum spp. 0.29% (1/350). Among cestodes, tapeworms belonged to Anoplocephalids included Moniezia spp. 6.86% (24/350) was recorded. Meanwhile, coproculture revealed that the prevalence of nematodes infection was 6.57% (23/350) included six species; Chabertia ovina, Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, Bunostomum sp. and Strongyloides spp. The most predominant nematode was Haemonchus contortus (6.57%; 23/350) followed by Trichostrongylus axei (1.71%; 6/350), Strongyloides spp. and Chabertia ovina (1.43%; 5/350) for each, Ostertagia ostertagi (1.14%; 4/350) and Bunostomum sp. (0.86%; 3/350). The highest prevalence reported in young animals (73.60%) followed by yearlings (67.24%) and the lowest one was in adults (41.32%). It has been recorded that sheep aged less than one had the highest infection rate. Among those, a mixed infection was detected in 7.20%. Nematode helminths were identified in 4.80%, trematode parasites were not reported in young sheep and tapeworms were recorded in 2.40% of examined sheep. Among animals aged one year, 22.41% had tapeworms. A mixed infection was observed in 25.86%. Meanwhile, nematodes were recorded in 8.62%. However, trematodes were reported in 1.72%. Sheep aged 2-3 years had the lowest infection rate. Among those, nematodes were observed in 7.19%, mixed infection was found in 3.59%, tapeworms were recovered in 4.79% and trematodes were recorded in 1.20% of examined sheep. There was a significant difference of the total parasitic infections.
The infection rate was higher in cold season (74.24%) rather than that in the hot one (37.61%). Infection rate was higher in females (62.5%) than males (50.0%). Infection rates in male sheep were 5.33%, 9.33% and 9.33% for nematodes, mixed infections and tapeworms. No trematodes have been recorded. Moreover, prevalences in female sheep were 7.5%, 8.0%, 5.0% and 1.5% for nematodes, mixed infections, tapeworms and trematodes, respectively. The prevalence of parasitic infection was not significantly higher in females (62.5%) than males (50.0%).
Oocysts were detected in 180 (51.43%) animals. Mixed infection with different Eimeria spp. oocysts was recorded in 37.14% and single infection was revealed in 14.29%. The prevalence of coccidiosis was significantly higher in young sheep and non-significantly relative to seasons. Fourteen Eimeria species were recorded; Eimeria bakuensis, E. webybridgensis, E. ahusta, E. intricata, E. granulosa, E. faurei, E. ninakohlyakim-ovae, Eimeria coitae-like, E. parva, E. pallida, E. marsica, E. crandallis, E. ovinoidalis and E. arloingi. The most predominant Eimeria species was Eimeria parva (14.57%) followed by E. ovinoidalis (14.0%), E. granulosa (8.29%), E. bakuensis (7.14%), E. intricata (5.43%), E. faurei and E. webybridgensis (4.86%each), E. pallida (4.0%), E. ninakohlyakim-ovae (3.71%), E. crandallis and E. ahsata (3.43% each), E.marsica and E.arloingi (1.71% each). The least abundant species was E. coitae-like (1.14%).
The examination of goat fecal samples revealed that, out of 410 fecal samples collected from domestic goats and coproparasitologically examined using sedimentation and floatation techniques, fecal culture and larval identification, the overall prevalence of parasitic infections was 50.24%. Twenty two species of helminth eggs/Eimeria spp. oocysts were revealed. The prevalence of helminths was 21.95% and that of Eimeria spp. was 39.27%. Mixed infection was reported in 10.98%. The highest prevalence was found in young animals (75.0%) followed by yearlings (58.46%) and the lowest one was in adults (35.0%). The infection rate was higher in females (59.02%) than males (24.76%). The prevalence was mostly highest in summer (63.85%; 83/130) followed by winter (57.78%), autumn (40.0%) and the lowest one was in spring (35.83%). Age, sex and seasonal variations revealed significant (P≤0.05) differences among examined goats. The infection with both nematodes and Eimeria spp. were detected in 7.32%. The co-infection with Eimeria spp. and tapeworms were found in 2.93%. Both trematodes and Eimeria spp. were seen in 0.73% of examined specimens. Nine Eimeria species were recorded; Eimeria ninakohlyakim-ovae, E. hirci, E.caprinova, E.caprina, E. christenseni, E. jolchijevi, E. arloingi, E. apsheronica and E. alijevi. The most predominant Eimeria species was Eimeria arloingi (23.17%) and the least abundant one was E. apsheronica (0.73%). The revealed trematodes were Fasciola spp. (0.49%) and Paramphistomum spp. (0.24%). Among cestodes, tapeworms belonged to Anoplocephalids included Moniezia spp. (7.31%) and Avitellina sp. (0.49%) were detected. Meanwhile, coproculure revealed that the prevalence of nematodes infection was 13.41% including nine species; Chabertia ovina, Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, Tr. colubriformis, Bunostomum sp., Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia curticei and Strongyloides spp. The most predominant nematode was Haemonchus contortus and the least abundant one was Strongyloides spp. and Cooperia oncophora.
¬¬ Haemonchosis is a dangerous disease affecting ruminants’ productivity worldwide. Resistant of Haemonchus contortus to anthelminthic became a very common phenomenon. Medicinal plants are considered one of the most natural bio products which are safely used as substitutes to the synthetic anthelmintics. Currently, the comparative efficacy of black pepper essential oil (BPO) and tea tree oil (TTO) were in vitro evaluated against H. contortus adults, eggs and larvae at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/ml in addition to the commercially used albendazole at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Oils were used in both normal and nanoparticles loaded forms. Oxidative stress enzymes of all treated worms were estimated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for treated worms was done. It has been found that, the use of both normal and nanoemulsion forms of both BPO and TTO stopped the adult motility (BPO 2.5 hrs, NBPO 1.5hrs, TTO 3 hrs, NTTO 1.5 hrs), induced a marked decrease in the oviposition. In the egg hatching test, the egg development and hatching of eggs were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in all treated groups. Moreover, the use of both BPO and TTO caused damage of the egg shell, embryonal cessation and destruction of larvae. A noticeable elevation of the antioxidant enzymatic activity (catalase CAT, glutathione transferase GST and glutathione concentration GSH), while oxidative enzymes (lipid peroxidation LPO and nitric oxide synthase NOS) decreased. SEM for both oil-treated worms revealed damaged anterior end and several cuts associated with pores in the cuticle. In albendazole-treated worms, the adult motility stopped after 4.5 hrs with a a reduction in the oviposition and a significant decrease in the egg hatching and development. The use of albendazole induced an enzymatic activity similar to that induced by BPO and TTO. Furthermore, SEM of albendazole-treated worms revealed normal cuticular ridges, no furrowing nor pores with shrinkage of the vulvar flap. This study evidenced the marked anthelmintic potency of the BPO and TTO and their nano-emulsion forms against H. contortus rather than the widely used anthelminthic drugs.
We concluded that the current study revealed a high prevalence and intensity of infections by coccidian infection, trematodes, cestodes and nematodes that are a major health problem for adult sheep and goats and for kids and lambs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the occurrence of E.coitae-like in sheep in Egypt. Prevention and effective control programs should be strictly followed and strict hygienic measures as well as regular deworming are highly recommended to avoid economic losses resulted from the helminths and coccidian infection. This study evidenced the marked anthelmintic potency of the BPO and TTO and their nano-emulsion forms against H. contortus much higher than widely used anthelminthic drug Alb.