Parasitological and Pathological Observations on Schistosoma bovis Sonsion, 1876, in Calves, Sheep and Goats in Iran

Abstract

Seven calves, 5 sheep, 2 goats and one buffalo calf were exposed to S. bovis cercariae in the laboratory. The prepatent period varied from 44–45 days in calves, 47–50 days in sheep to 47–48 days in goats. The recovery rate of adult worms was 62.1% in calves, 41.4% in sheep and 67.3% in goats. The infection rates were much higher than those obtained by previous workers, possibly because of a superior technique. One buffalo calf was exposed to S. bovis cercariae but showed no signs of infection.The mean daily egg output per gram of faeces was 75 in calves, 60 in sheep and 75 in goats. The daily egg output in the faeces per individual female worm was 106 in calves, 52 in sheep and 48 in goats at 9 weeks after exposure to cercariae. The number of eggs passed in the faeces decreased in calves and increased in sheep as the duration of infection was prolonged.