Seroprevalence of Linguatula serrata nymph infection in sheep from west of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 , Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran.

2 , Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

3 , Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

4 School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Linguatula serrata is one of the parasitic zoonoses. The adults, larval stages of the parasite live in nasal airways of canids and visceral organs of herbivors respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of L. serrata nymph infection in sheep from west of Iran by indirect enzyme-linked immunosrobent assay (ELISA). Blood samples (n=1048) were taken from sheep of two province (Ilam (n= 598) and Kermanshah (n=450)) in west of Iran ( at least five different cities of each province). The collected sera were tested by ELISA using excretory-secretory antigens of L. serrata nymph and anti IgG sheep conjugate. Data were classified according to sex, ages of the animals (1-<2, 2-<3, 3-≥4 years), area, and sheep herds with or without dogs, analyzed using statistical software (SPSS). Seroprevalence of L. serrata infection in sheep was 30.5% (317 of 1048) from west of Iran, 27.8%(125 of 450 ) from Ilam and 32.1% (192 of 598) from Kermanshah provinces. There was significant difference in prevalence among five different area of two provinces( P<0.001). Of the animal males 31.5% (165 of 523) and females 28.9% (152 of 525) were infected with L. serrata. Infection with the parasite was not significantly associated with gender of the animals (p>0.05). Seroprevalence was significantly increased with the increase of age, lower (12.1%) in 1-<2 years and higher (49.3%) in 3-≥4 years old of the animals( P<0.01). There was significant difference in prevalence among sheep herds with (39.8%) and without (23.4%) dogs (P<0.01). This is the first report in assessment of L. serrata infection in sheep by ELISA. Relatively high prevalence of L. serrata infection in the sheep is reflection of linguatolosis in dogs from the areas, it must be consider to all progamms for control and reduction of the infection in definitive and intermediate hosts.

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