The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt

Aim

This study aims to record and update the prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt during the period from January to December 2017.

Materials and Methods

A total of 120 donkeys (10 donkeys each month) were examined at Giza zoo abattoir through bimonthly visits. The examined donkeys were obtained from five governorates (Giza [20], Fayoum [40], Beni Suef [30], Monofia [20], and Assiut [10]). The animals were grouped according to age and sex.

Results

All examined donkeys were positive with at least one internal or even external parasitic species. The overall prevalence rate was 100%. A total of 11 helminths species (10 nematodes and 1 metacestode); 7 protozoal and 7 arthropod species were collected. The number of each parasite and intensity of infection with regard to age and sex was recorded.

Conclusion

All examined donkeys were infected with parasites with an overall prevalence of 100%. So, we recommended following up and continuous treatment of such diseased animal.

Three Strigeid cercariae from Littorina littorea snail, Qarun Lake, Fayoum, Egypt

Aim:

The present study aims to focus on the role of common marine snails (Littorina littorea) as a vector for some trematode parasites.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 327 marine water L. littorea snails were collected during the summer of 2016 from a Qarun lake in the EL-Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The snails were investigated for infection by trematode parthenitae through induction of cercarial shedding by exposure to light and crushing the snails. The species were stored in Search Laboratory of Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University.

Results:

Three species of Strigeid littorina cercaria were identified from the infected snails. They are described here and they identified in relation to close-up morphological features and linked to its snail hosts. They give the following names: Cercaria strigeid littorina type 1, C. strigeid littorina type 2, and C. strigeid littorina type 3. The incidence of infection by these cercariae was 33%, 25.7%, and 2.4%, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study is clarifying the importance of this marine snail as intermediate hosts for new trematode species.