Identification and prevalence of fluke infection in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, China

Abstract

Abstract The liver flukes (Fasciola spp.) and rumen flukes (Paramphistomum spp.) are significant parasites in livestock worldwide, meanwhile, Fasciola spp. is considered as an important zoonotic parasite. To our knowledge, there are no reported of the fluke species identification and epidemiological prevalence in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, China. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the major fluke species and determine the prevalence of fluke infection among yak and Tibetan sheep in this area. A total of 307 fecal samples were collected and identified by morphology of fluke eggs together with molecular approach. Our study first found the predominant fluke species were F. hepatica and P. leydeni in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake. The overall prevalence of fluke infection in yak and Tibetan sheep was 57.65% (177/307). Specifically, the prevalence of F. hepatica and P. leydeni was 14.98% (46/307) and 31.60% (97/307), respectively, and the co-infection of both species was 11.07% (34/307). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of overall fluke infection among yak and Tibetan sheep (p < 0.05). However, the prevalence of F. hepatica was significantly different in yak and Tibetan sheep (p < 0.05), but not P. leydeni. These findings of the present study provide useful information about the current status of natural fluke invasion in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, which could be important for monitoring and control of these parasites in the region.