Presence and pathogenicity of Paramphistomidae in ruminants in The Netherlands.

Abstract

A study has been performed to get an impression about the presence and pathogenicity of rumen fluke in ruminants in the Netherlands. The study included a data analysis of results from parasitological examinations performed at GD Animal Health Service (GD) and a slaughterhouse survey. During eight visits 116 cows were examined: a general impression of the animals was obtained, rumens were inspected for the presence of flukes and samples were taken from duodenum and feces to be examined for larval stages and eggs, respectively. Two methods, a modified Dorsman and a CSF-technique, were used for examination of the feces for the presence of rumen fluke eggs. In the data analysis a herd prevalence of 15.8% in cattle herds and 8% in sheep herds was found. More positive herds were found in the Western part of the Netherlands. A prevalence of 23.3% in slaughtered cattle and >4.9% in slaughtered sheep 3 was found in the slaughterhouse survey. A relation between the estimated number of flukes in the rumen and the number of eggs in the feces when using a modified Dorsman technique was found. With visual inspection of the rumen as “gold standard” a sensitivity and specificity of resp. 82.6% and 83.3% was found for the Dorsman. Concluding that this is a suitable method for detecting rumen fluke infection. Non-dairy cattle had more often rumen fluke infection than dairy cattle, a possible explanation is a difference in grazing pastures. The study was not suitable for evaluation of the pathogenicity. More research is needed to determine a proper prevalence (herd and animal), rumen fluke related problems in herds and the species of the family Paramphistomidae in the Netherlands.