Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle and sheep in two regions of Romania

Amongst ruminant livestock diseases, the gastrointestinal (GIT) helminths and protozoan parasite infections result in a significant socio-economic concern worldwide. During the period between October 2017 and November 2018, a total of 788 fresh fecal specimens from cattle (n = 303) and sheep (n = 485) were screened for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoan parasites in two historical regions (Crisana and Banat) of western Romania. Laboratory processing of fecal samples with the simple salt flotation (Willis) and sedimentation techniques, followed by microscopic analysis revealed that 86.1% of cattle and 92.6% of sheep were found to be positive for at least one parasitic stage of GIT helminths and/or protozoa. Five endoparasites were identified in both cattle (C) and sheep (S), and their prevalence was as follows: Eimeria spp. 24.1% (C), 43.7% (S); Balantidium spp. 10.2% (C), 1% (S); Fasciola/ Paramphistomum spp. 55.8% (C), 75% (S); Dicrocoelium spp. 14.2% (C), 3.2% (S); and Strongylid eggs 46.9% (C), 71.3% (S). In addition, Toxocara spp. (0.3%) genera were found in cattle, while Nematodirus spp. (24.5%) and Moniezia spp. (3.5%) were observed only in sheep. The strongylid infections were significantly more prevalent (P < 0.05) in cattle older than 8 years, while the coccidial ones were positively associated (P < 0.05) with sheep younger than 2 years. The study provides useful information for veterinary practitioners in order to develop effective prevention and control strategies against gastrointestinal parasitic infections in the studied regions.