Seid Kassaw

Cestode and trematode infections are among the major parasitic diseases limiting sheep production in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. However, there is limited information on their combined epidemiology, economic impact, and control practices in the study area. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to September 2025 to investigate the epidemiology, economic impact, and control strategies of cestode and trematode infections in sheep in Gondar, the Central Gondar zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 384 sheep were examined for cestode and trematode infections using flotation, sedimentation, and the McMaster method for egg count determination. In addition, a questionnaire survey was administered to 150 sheep owners to assess economic impact and parasite control practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) used to determine associations between risk factors and infection. The overall prevalence of cestode and trematode infections was 50.0% (95% CI: 45.0–55.0). Trematodes were more prevalent than cestodes, with Fasciola spp. (25.0%) being the most dominant parasite, followed by Paramphistomum spp. (14.06%), Schistosoma spp. (3.65%), and Moniezia spp. (7.29%). Logistic regression analysis showed that adult sheep (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.15–2.75), poor body condition (AOR = 3.50, 95% CI: 2.00–6.10), and extensive management systems (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.80–4.70) were significantly associated with infection (p < 0.05). The estimated total economic loss was 385,750 ETB, mainly due to mortality and reduced body weight. Although 73.3% of farmers were aware of parasitic infections, only 26.7% practiced regular deworming. In conclusion, cestode and trematode infections are highly prevalent and economically important in sheep production in the study area.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are among the most important constraints to equine health, productivity, and welfare in Ethiopia, including the study area. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection intensity, larval differentiation, and owners’ perception of GIN infections in horses in and around Tullu Awuliya, Northeast Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to May 2021 on 520 randomly selected horses. Fecal samples were examined using flotation and modified McMaster techniques, while larval identification was performed using coproculture and the Baermann technique. Additionally, a structured questionnaire was administered to assess (201) owners’ perception. The overall prevalence of GIN infections was 72% (374/520). Four major nematodes were identified: Strongyles (45.96%), Oxyuris equi (8.02%), Parascaris equorum (4.01%), and Strongyloides western (2.96%), with mixed infections also common. Infection intensity indicated predominantly severe strongyle infections based on egg per gram counts. Larval culture identified Cyathostomum spp., Strongylus vulgaris , and Strongylus equinus . Statistical analysis revealed that sex, age, and working type were significant risk factors (p < 0.05), whereas body condition and management system were not significantly associated. Questionnaire survey results indicated moderate awareness among horse owners, with most recognizing GIN's impact on horse performance and emphasizing the importance of deworming and veterinary services. The high prevalence and infection intensity observed highlight the need for strategic parasite control programs. Improved management practices, regular deworming, enhanced access to veterinary services, and community awareness are recommended to reduce the burden of GIN infections and improve equine health and productivity in the study area.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are major constraints to horse productivity, with effective control relying largely on routine use of anthelmintic drugs. However, the emergence of anthelmintic resistance threatens the long term sustainability of this strategy. Therefore, a field-based experiment was conducted from November 2020 to May 2021 in and around Tullu-Awliya town of South Wollo Zone to evaluate the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics against GINs in naturally infected horses and to assess the control practices of horse owners. Fecal samples from 520 randomly selected horses were examined using flotation and modified McMaster techniques. Horses with fecal egg counts (EPG ≥ 150) were assigned into six groups of ten, representing cart and pack horses. Four groups received either Ivermectin or Fenbendazole, while two served as untreated controls. Fecal samples collected on day 0 and day 14 were subjected to fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) to determine anthelmintic efficacy. Copro culture and modified Baermann techniques were used to identify L3 larvae associated with suspected resistance. Egg reappearance period (ERP) was also conducted to detect anthelmintic efficacy in packing horses. Additionally, a questionnaire survey involving 201 horse owners documented helminth control and anthelmintic use practices. The FECRT results showed mean fecal egg count reductions of 94.01% for Ivermectin and 99.6% for Fenbendazole, with significant differences between treated and control groups. Ivermectin exhibited suspected resistance, and Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus equinus, and Cyathostomum spp. were identified post treatment of Ivermectin. Moreover, ERP results suggested no anthelmintic resistance in pack horses. The survey indicated that Ivermectin 62.3%, followed by Fenbendazole 31.8%, were the most widely used anthelmintics. These findings highlight the need for improved awareness of rational anthelmintic use and adoption of resistance‑management strategies, alongside further studies on factors contributing to reduced drug efficacy.

Platyhelminthes are a significant cause of organ condemnation across the globe, particularly in Ethiopia. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2024 to identify the Platyhelminthes responsible for organ condemnation and estimate its economic impact in cattle slaughtered at the Nekemte municipal abattoir. Standard ante-mortem and postmortem inspection procedures were employed. A total of 422 cattle were included in the study through systematic random sampling. Among the 422 slaughtered cattle, 59 (14%) exhibited clinical signs in ante-mortem examination, including rough hair coat (3.3%), lameness (2.6%), coughing (2.4%), tick infestation (1.9%), depression (1.7%), branding (1.2%), and blindness (0.9%). Postmortem examinations revealed that 132 (31.2%) cattle were infected by Platyhelminthes parasites. Due to these helminths 92 (21.9%) livers, 52 (12.3%) lungs, and 13 (3.1%) hearts were condemned. The major Platyhelminthes identified were Fasciola spp., hydatid cysts, Cysticercus bovis, and combined infections of Fasciola and hydatid cysts, with prevalence’s of 15.9%, 6.4%, 3.1%, and 5.9%, respectively. A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found in the prevalence of these major Platyhelminthes based on age and body condition. However, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the sex and origin. The total annual economic loss due to organ condemnation in the study area amounted to 612,470.00 ETB. This study highlights a relatively high prevalence of organ condemnation due to Platyhelminthes infections. Thus, awareness should be raised among cattle owners and abattoir workers regarding the impact of parasites and the importance of safe disposal practices of condemned organs.

Dipylidium caninum, a common tapeworm in dogs, poses a significant public health and veterinary concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of Dipylidium caninum in dogs in Gondar town. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2024. Data were stored into Microsoft Excel software version 19 and analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the collected data. A total of 384 dogs were randomly selected and examined for Dipylidium caninum infection by using centrifugal flotation and McMaster techniques to determine its prevalence and intensity respectively. Of these, 79 were found positive, yielding a prevalence of (20.57%). The highest prevalence was recorded in young (32.91%) followed by poor body condition (23.58%), local breed (23.49%) and male dogs (22.27%). The intensity of infection was measured by egg per gram counts, with significant variations observed across different risk factors. Age and body condition were significantly associated with infection intensity, with younger dogs (< 1 year) and those in poor body condition showing the highest mean egg per gram counts. Sex and breed were not significantly associated with infection intensity. The study highlights that younger dogs and those in poor health are at a higher risk for severe infections. Based on these findings, it is recommended that targeted deworming programs focus on high-risk groups, particularly puppies and dogs in poor body condition. Furthermore, further investigation should be undertaken on both dog and vector.

Among the several leech saliva extracts, around 20 bioactive molecules are widely known and identified with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic importance. Some of are Hirudin, Calin, Destabilase, Hyaluronidase, Apyrase, Hirustatin, Saratin, and Eglin. Thus, this review provides valuable insights into the most commonly known bioactive molecules in leech saliva, their putative medical importance, current status, and potential implication for future medical use. The practice of using leech in medical treatment, called hirudotherapy, has been in use for several centuries and can be drawn back to ancient Egyptians. They used it to treat various diseases like skin diseases, inflammation, and dental problems. Nowadays, these invaluable bioactive molecules of leeches have been utilized in modern medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris, tinnitus, phlebitis, gout, ischemic heart disease, asthma, cancer, hypertension, and migraines. Additionally, it is very effective in the treatment of mastitis, diabetic foot ulcers, cutaneous leishmaniosis, alopecia, and digital gangrene. The contribution of leeches in cosmetic and plastic surgery is also gaining popularity. At present time, the world’s most advanced nations with the most sophisticated in medical science have become practitioners. Despite its long history of medical application, there is still much to discover about the specific substance responsible for the valuable effects of leech saliva. Therefore, leech saliva holds enormous promise, and continued research will unlock its full potential.

Purpose Eimeria species are a prevalent coccidian parasite impacting chicken production, leading to substantial economic losses in Ethiopia’s poultry sector. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species, assess associated risk factors, and identify prevalent Eimeria species and gross lesions. Methods Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to May 2024 in the South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. 516 chickens were randomly selected and examined for coccidian oocysts using the flotation technique. Patho-anatomical examinations were performed on 60 positive chickens to identify the various Eimeria species of chicken further. Binary logistic regression was utilized to calculate the odds ratios for associated risk factors. Results The overall prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in this study was 20.3% (105/516). Age (AOR = 0.46, P = 0.001) and breed (AOR = 1.73, P = 0.023) were found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of coccidiosis (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant associations were observed with sex, study area, or management practices (P > 0.05), although the management system was considered a confounding factor. The most important identified Eimeria species were E. tenella (21.95%), E. brunetti (19.51%), E. acervulina (17.07%), E. necatrix (14.63%), and E. maxima (4.88%). Conclusion These findings indicated that Eimeria-caused coccidiosis is a growing challenge to poultry production in South Gondar, highlighting the need for targeted control measures and improved management practices.

Equines play a significant role in the economy of the country. Besides their importance, equines face several challenges mainly helminth infections. Of these strongyle parasites are the most common, particularly in the study area. Thus, a cross‐sectional study was conducted from February 2022 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors and to identify the genera of equine strongyle parasites in and around Bishoftu. A total of 364 equines were randomly selected from five different areas and subjected to coprological examination using the floatation technique to detect strongyle‐type eggs. A pooled faecal sample was cultured and subjected to modified Baerman techniques to identify the genus of strongyles. The overall prevalence of strongyle parasites was found to be 56.6% with an occurrence rate of 54.7% in horses and (65.2%) in donkeys. According to the present study, the two important genera identified were Strongylus and Cyathostomum. A higher prevalence of strongyle parasites was recorded in poor body condition (64%), adult (59.3%), female (70.7), and Kality (22%). Among the potential risk factors analyzed, the body condition score of the equines was significantly associated with strongyle infection (χ² = 76.536 and p ≤ 0.001), while sex, species, age, and origins were not significantly associated with the prevalence of infection (χ² = 2.644 and p = 0.266), (χ² = 2.404 and p = 0.121), (χ² = 0.609 and p = 0.435), and (χ² = 3.205 and p = 0.524), respectively. In conclusion, strongyle parasites pose a major health problem for equines in the study area. They should focus on improving housing, increasing welfare awareness, implementing seasonal deworming, and enhancing the feeding practices of equines.