Helminth diversity, prevalence, and host-specific patterns in wild and domestic ruminants of the Bukhara region, Uzbekistan

Objectives: Helminth infections impose major health burdens on livestock and threaten wildlife at the livestock–wildlife interface in Central Asian drylands. Despite rising concern over parasite transmission between domestic and wild ungulates, integrated surveys remain limited. This study characterized helminth species richness, prevalence, and infection patterns in domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, and cattle) and critically endangered wild ungulates (Ovis ammon bocharensis, Gazella subgutturosa, and Cervus hanglu yarkandensis) in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan. Materials and Methods: From spring to summer 2025, complete necropsies (n = 51) and organ-specific examinations (n = 178) were conducted on domestic ruminants, while coprological surveys (n = 256) were performed on wild ungulates. Parasite identification followed standard morphological keys. Results: Cattle had the highest helminth species richness (28), followed by sheep (24) and goats (21). Zoonotic species, including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena (metacestodes), and Fasciola spp., were detected across hosts. Coprological screening revealed helminths in Goitered Gazelle (32.6%), Bukhara Argali (23.3%), and Bukhara Deer (6.5%). Necropsy and coprological data provide complementary insights but limit direct prevalence comparisons due to differing diagnostic sensitivities. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive helminth baseline for the region, informing targeted anthelmintic strategies, One Health surveillance of zoonotic helminths, conservation management of endangered ungulates, and understanding of parasite dynamics at livestock-wildlife interfaces in arid ecosystems.