Abattoir Countrywide Survey of Dairy Small Ruminants’ Haemonchosis in Greece and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the prevalence of <i>Haemonchus contortus</i> infections in dairy sheep and goats in continental and insular Greece, based on an abattoir survey, and (ii) to evaluate potential host-related risk factors including the age and sex, as well as the altitude, the management system, the co-existence of goats and sheep, the season, and the anthelmintic treatment, on the occurrence of haemonchosis. Methods: In total, 1004 abomasa of small ruminants were examined to evaluate the prevalence of <i>Haemonchus</i> spp. Moreover, a structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information regarding animal and farm characteristics. <i>Haemonchus</i>-like helminths were collected from the abomasa and used for the molecular species identification; a fragment of 321 base pairs of the internal transcribed spacer 2 sequence of nuclear DNA was amplified. Results: The prevalence of mono-species <i>H. contortus</i> infection of small ruminants was 37.2%. For sheep, a multivariable analysis revealed the anthelmintic treatment (treatment with pro/benzimidazoles), the age (lambs under 2 months old), and the management system (intensive management system) as significant factors for preventing <i>H. contortus</i> infection. Likewise, the management system (intensive management system), the anthelmintic treatment (treatment with macrocyclic lactones and their combination with pro/benzimidazoles), the altitude of the farms (farms located over 300 m above sea level), and the season (spring and summer) were significant risk factors in preventing <i>H. contortus</i> infection in goats. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted management practices and region-specific veterinary protocols to effectively reduce parasitic burdens.