Prevalence, risk factors and molecular identification of paramphistomid species in sheep from a Spanish endemic area

The present study confirms the increase in the prevalence of paramphistomid infections in sheep in the area with high dissemination of the parasite, as previously reported in cattle, and represents the first molecular identification of C. daubneyi in sheep from Spain. Our results demonstrate that special attention should be given to adult animals since they are the main carriers and are responsible for environmental contamination. In addition, detecting risk areas and applying effective control management measures such as the installation of watering points on pastures seems essential for limiting infections in livestock, especially in sheep, since they are susceptible to developing clinical paramphistomidosis at any time in their lives. The absence of adult flukes in roe deer suggests that they represent less suitable hosts for this trematode than cattle and sheep, although more robust studies monitoring the situation in sympatric areas with domestic ruminants are needed.