Trematodes of small ruminants in Serbia

Among helminth infections of small ruminants in Serbia, nematodes predominate, while trematodes occur at lower prevalence. The most important ruminant flukes in Serbia are Dicrocoelium dendriticum (small fluke) trematodes from the Paramphistomum spp., and Fasciola hepatica (large fluke). Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a common parasite of ruminants but humans can act as accidental definitive hosts. This is most important flukes in small ruminants in Serbia and its prevalence ranges from 12.30% to 78.67%. Paramphistomum is a genus of parasitic flatworms belonging to the digenetic trematodes. In Serbia, P. cervi has been found in sheep, goat and cattle and P. microbothrium has been found in sheep and cattle as well as in deer and red deer. Infection with P. cervi was established in 13.44% of sheep and goat herds and P. microbithrium in 9.48% herds. Fasciolosis is an acute or chronic disease caused by the large fluke Fasciola hepatica. Its prevalence ranges from small ruminants in Serbia are less than 4%. Parasitic infections of sheep and goats caused by trematodes are relatively common in Serbia. Although much less common than gastro-intestinal strongyloid infections, they represent a health and economic problem.