The influence of climate factors on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of small ruminants in spread Belgrade area

Small ruminants in spread Belgrade are usually kept under semi-intensive (pasture/stable) condition. One of the main health problems in this kind of producing system is connected to infestation with parasites, which results in direct and indirect economical losses. During study we collected fecal samples at monthly intervals. We examined 870 fecal samples from 34 flocks. Examination was performed using standard coprological technique and Eggs per gram count (EPC) and degree of infection we assessed by McMaster technique. In our study we established the following genera of gastrointestinal helminths: Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodirus spp., Ostertagia spp., Haemonchus spp., Chabertia ovina, Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Marshallagia spp., Skrjabinema capre and Bunostomum spp. The epidemiology of the helminth parasitic diseases therefore depends on factors such as the infection pressure in the environment and the susceptibility of the host species (or individual). The life cycles of all found helminths species are direct, requiring no intermediate hosts, which applies to all of the economically important strongylid parasites of small ruminants. In these cycles, adult female parasites in the GI tract produce eggs that are passed out with the faeces of the animal. Development occurs within the faecal mass, the eggs embryonate and hatch into first-stage larvae (L1), which in turn moult into second-stage larvae (L2), shedding their protective cuticle in the process. The L2 moult into third-stage larvae (L3), but retain the cuticle from the previous moult. The L3 constitute the infective stage, and these migrate onto surrounding vegetation where they become available for ingestion by grazing sheep and goats.The development, survival and transmission of the free-living stages of nematode parasites are influenced by micro-climatic factors within the faecal pellets and herbage. These include sunlight, temperature, rainfall, humidity and soil moisture.