Study of fecal elimination parasites and associated risk factors in sheep

This study aimed to investigate some fecal elimination parasites and the effect of certain risk factors on parasitism rate in sheep from the Laghouat region in Southern Algeria. Coproscopy using various qualitative methods (direct examination, flotation and sedimentation, Zeihel Nelson staining) and quantitative methods (Mac Master) were conducted over a period of 4 months, on a total of 170 sheep. The results revealed an overall infestation rate of 82.9%. This study identified the presence of the following parasites: Cryptosporidium sp. (57.1%), Eimeria sp. (52.9%); Nematodirus sp. (24.7%), Strongyloides sp. (17%), Cooperia sp. (1.2%); and finally, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Fasciola hepatica, Dircocoelium lanceolatum, and Paramphistomum sp. at 0.6%. Statistical analysis revealed no significant influence of the factors studied on the parasitic infestation rate of the examined sheep. Regarding the Mac Master, the highest parasite load was observed for Eimeria sp. with a rate of 1153 OPG (Egg per gram of fecal matter).