PREVALENCE AND EPIZOOTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GASTROINTESTINAL STRONGYLE INFECTIONS IN SHEEP IN THE SAMARKAND REGION, UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

Abstract. Gastrointestinal strongylatoses remain among the most important parasitic diseases limiting sheep productivity worldwide and are responsible for considerable economic losses due to reduced weight gain, poor feed conversion, decreased wool and meat production, and increased mortality, particularly in young animals. The present study aimed to determine the epizootological status and prevalence of gastrointestinal strongylatoses in sheep raised under the climatic conditions of the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan. A total of 321 fecal samples were collected from sheep of different breeds maintained in private households, farms, and experimental units of the Veterinary Research Institute located in Nurabad and Payariq districts. Helminthological examinations were performed using the Fülleborn flotation method, sequential washing technique, and the improved Baermann–Orlov method. The results demonstrated that gastrointestinal strongylatoses were widely distributed among the examined sheep, with an overall prevalence of 77.57%. Mixed infections were the predominant form of invasion. Marshallagiosis was detected in 45.17% of the animals, nematodirosis in 39.88%, and other gastrointestinal strongylatoses in 68.54%. District-level analysis revealed prevalence rates of 73.47% in Nurabad and 68.33% in Payariq, while infection among sheep maintained in the Veterinary Research Institute reached 72.22%. In addition, fasciolosis and monieziosis were detected in 24.07% and 7.40% of sheep, respectively. The obtained data indicate a high circulation of gastrointestinal nematodes in the region and emphasize the necessity of systematic parasitological monitoring, strategic anthelmintic treatment, and integrated parasite control programs adapted to local ecological conditions.