Morphological and Molecular Detection of Dicrocoelium dendriticum Infection in Ruminants

Background: Dicrocoeliosis is a parasite disease that affects the liver of domestic and wild ruminants. It is one of the challenges in the livestock industry that causes significant diseases and economic losses. Objectives: This study aimed to identify Dicrocoelium dendriticum in sheep and cattle using their morphological and molecular characteristics. Methods: The current study examined 122 sheep and cattle livers from both sexes slaughtered in butcher shops. Found worms were selected randomly from the livers of sheep and cattle. They were stained for parasite morphometric measurements studies and macroscopic examination of the liver considering the color, consistency, and size. Molecular methods confirm the diagnosis of D. dendriticum in cattle and sheep. Results: The infection rates of D. dendriticum parasite in sheep and cattle were 34.4% and 10.7% respectively. The results showed a significant difference in the infection rate between sheep and cattle, while there is no significant difference between females and males in both sheep and cattle. Macroscopic diagnosis of the infected livers showed discoloration, swelling, wrinkled needle-spot shape and hyaline, the sharpness of liver margins loss, and biliary fibrosis. D. dendriticum was morphologically identified in all specimens collected from the sheep and cattle. The molecular examination confirmed the diagnosis of these parasites, which belonged to the species D. dendriticum, with a product reaction of 900 base pairs. Conclusion: This study is the first to isolate and detect D. dendriticum in sheep and cattle and to overview the genotype compositions of D. dendriticum.