Prevalence and level of infection by endoparasites in different categories of sheep in the Western Amazon

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the epidemiology of the main gastrointestinal endoparasites affecting sheep raised in the municipality of Sena Madureira, Acre, Brazil. A total of 178 fecal samples were collected from sheep raised in an extensive system of 10 farms. The samples were grouped into lambs, ewe lambs, lambing ewes, ewes, and rams for laboratory analysis by the flotation technique for counting eggs per gram of feces (EGF), oocysts of Eimeria sp., and presence of eggs of Moniezia sp. The analyzed variables consisted of the prevalence of nematodes, cestodes, and coccidia and intensity of strongylid and coccidium infection by quantification (mean ± SE) of eggs and oocysts. Prevalence data were compared by the chi-square test and intensity of infection (mean ± SE) by the Scott-Knott test (SAEG 9.1), both with P < 0.05. The overall prevalence was 77.6%, reaching 64.15% for strongylids, 36.2% for coccidia, and 8.81% for cestodes (Moniezia sp.). Ewes had the lowest prevalence (52.5%), while lambs had a prevalence of 95.5%, not differing from the others (P < 0.05). The intensity of infection by nematodes showed that lambs had the highest EGF compared to ewes, with values of 1297±270 and 232±79, respectively. The categories lambing ewes, ewes, and rams presented an average EGF below what is indicated for treatment with drugs. The highest intensity of infection was observed for ewe lambs (5859±3648), exceeding acceptable rates. Sheep raised in Sena Madureira has a high prevalence for verminosis by strongylids and a low prevalence for coccidiosis and cestodiasis. Young animal categories present a high health risk for endoparasitoses, and management measures that collaborate with the prophylaxis and control of these diseases should be adopted.