Review on Lungworm Infection in Sheep and Goats in Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the paper was to summarize the overview of available research evidence and to assess the scope of the study in the country and to real the gap that need to be addressed in the future. Lungworms are parasites of small ruminants which have round shaped formation in the order Strongylidea. Dictyocaulus filaria belongs to the super family Trichostrongyloidea while the latter P.rufescens and Muellerius capillaries belong to Metastrongyloidea, which have direct (the way in which the parasite lives and reproduce inside the host cells while some can do this outside the host cells and may live entire life) and indirect (the parasite can’t survive inside the host and need multiple hosts so that they can reproduce more) life cycles respectively. Among species of shoats, goats are more susceptible than sheep to lungworm infection. Depending on the severity of infection, age and immunological status of the animal, the clinical sign ranges from moderate coughing with slightly increased respiratory rates to sever persistent coughing, persistent respiratory distress and failure. Diagnosis of the disease is by examination of the feces with Baermann techniques of faecal detection to obtain the L₁ larvae in the laboratory, and postmortem examination of the lungs of infected animals for adult worms’ isolation. Treatments of infection necessitate the use of effective and appropriate anthelmintic (includes Benzimidazoles, Levamisols and Ivermectin). The prevention and control of lung worm infection can be achieved by integration of administration of effective anthelmintic drugs, immunization and improved management practices.

Keywords: Anthelmintic, Control, Ethiopia, Lungworm, Small ruminant