Prevalence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection in cattle, sheep and goat in Gilan province, Northern Iran

Abstract

Dicrocoelium dendriticum is common parasites of herbivores in many parts of Iran. In chronic infections, this parasite causes biliary cirrhosis in liver of cattle, sheep or goat and lead to economic losses. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum in cattle, sheep and goat in Northern Areas of Iran, Gilan Province. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in the slaughterhouses of different localities in eastern and western areas of Gilan province. About 200 cattle, sheep and goat livers were examined. The prevalence of liver infection was 85, 66 and 23.25% in sheep, cattle and goats, respectively. There was significant difference between animals liver infection (p<0.001). Western Gilan showed more prevalence of Dicrocoelium infection as compared with eastern Gilan (p<0.01). © Medwell Journals, 2010.