An abattoir-based study on helminthes of slaughtered goats (Capra hircus L., 1758) in upper Egypt, Egypt

Abstract The present study describes the occurrence of various gastrointestinal helminths and liver flukes in goats from post mortem examinations performed between 2010 and 2011. Forty five adult goats were euthanized necropsy examination and for identification of adult gastrointestinal helminths and liver flukes. Eleven animals (24.44 %) were found to be infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal helminth. Haemonchus contortus emerged as the most prevalent species (15.5 %), with Moniezia expansa and Fasciola gigantica also being common (11.11 % and 4.4 %, respectively). Additionally, Haemonchus longistipes, Cysticercus tenuicollis, and Paramphistomum microbothrium were present at low infection rates (2.2 %). Mixed infections were similarly most prevalent. Haemonchus longistipes; the most pathogenic Strongyle nematode of camels was reported for the first time infecting goats in Egypt. The present study indicates that abattoir surveys would reveal the prevalence of various species of problematic helminths, and thus appropriate measures can be adopted to control the respective worms.