Prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis in Sheep in Iğdır Region

Abstract

Taenia multiceps (T. multiceps) settles in the small intestines of their final hosts (dog, fox, wolf, coyote, etc.). The larval form of the parasite shaped in the intermediate host is called Coenurus cerebralis (C. cerebralis) and is seen primarily in herbivores such as sheep, rarely goats, cattle, deer, pigs, camels, and horses. With this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence of C. cerebralis in Iğdır province, since coenurosis was observed in the brains removed from the opened skulls of sheep slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. The study was carried out by visiting two private slaughterhouses in Iğdır once a week between January 1 and December 31, 2021. In the study; Sheep and lambs showing symptoms such as ataxia, incoordination, teeth grinding and spinning around with ante-mortem examination were included in the study. In the study, the prevalence of C. cerebralis in the Igdır region was 28.1% (474/1688), and the highest rate was observed in 8-12 months old lambs %46 (435/945). In addition, the prevalence of C. cerebralis was highest in October with a rate of 46.6% (73/160). As a result; In order to reduce the prevalence of C. cerebralis, which is a herd problem in the province of Iğdır, one of the regions where sheep breeding is intense; we think that dogs that have an active role in transmission should be treated with effective antiparasitic drugs and slaughtering should be done in slaughterhouses to prevent contamination.