Prevalence of Liver Fluke Infections in Slaughtered Animals in Kirkuk Province, Iraq

This study was conducted at Aleasria slaughterhouse / Kirkuk governorate from September 2017 to April 2018 on 55506 slaughtered ruminants to investigate fascioliasis and its frequency. The highest prevalence of liver fascioliasis was recorded in different months with exception in buffaloes for January, March, and April. Liver fascioliasis was documented highly in cattle, especially in April (80%) followed by sheep and goat in March (72% and 11%), respectively; whereas in buffaloes, it is 6% in November. No linear regression was occurred between positive and negative recorded animals with fascioliasis. Condemnations of liver because of fascioliasis being more prevalent in sheep, cattle, and goats slaughtered in March and April; however, these condemnations were higher in November for buffaloes. This study presents model data for observing the possibly significant parasitic infections in Kirkuk in future, as well as demonstrating possible long-term trends. The gross pathological changes of liver revealed a variety of necropsy findings represented by enlargement and discoloration as responses to the inflammatory reactions. Deficiency of climatic environments in combination with a better consciousness among farmers could be responsible influences. In brief, Kirkuk is considered an endemic area for infection of Fasciola hepatica. Furthermore, F. hepatica is the most prevalent fluke of liver occurring in cattle and sheep, and it is more prevalent in cattle than sheep.