Research Article

Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye

Volume: 10 Number: 1 March 29, 2026

Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye

Abstract

Objective: Endoparasitic diseases continue to cause significant morbidity and economic losses in small ruminants across diverse climatic and geographical regions worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the current prevalence of endoparasitic infections affecting small ruminant production in the province of Siirt, to identify interspecies differences, and to evaluate the region-specific epidemiological profile. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out between September and December 2024 in livestock enterprises located in the Siirt city center and six surrounding districts. Fecal samples from a total of 500 small ruminants (250 sheep and 250 goats) were collected under sterile conditions and examined using the Fülleborn’s flotation, Modified Benedek sedimentation, and Baermann–Wetzel techniques. Species, age, sex, and location data for each animal were recorded, and the results were evaluated statistically. Results: Overall endoparasite positivity was 38.8% in sheep and 62.40% in goats. Trichostrongylidae spp. infection was significantly higher in goats (50%) than in sheep (p<0.001). Eimeria spp. and Metastrongylidae spp. infections were also detected more frequently in goats (21.60%), and the differences between species were statistically significant (p<0.001). Trichuris spp. was identified only in sheep (2.00%), representing a significant interspecies difference (p<0.05). Age-based evaluation revealed that Trichostrongylidae spp. and Metastrongylidae spp. infections were more prevalent in animals aged ≥2 years (p<0.001). According to sex, both Trichostrongylidae spp. and Metastrongylidae spp. infections were significantly more common in females (p<0.05). Location-based analysis indicated significant variation in the distribution of Trichostrongylidae spp., Eimeria spp., and Metastrongylidae spp. (p<0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of mixed infections involving two or three parasite species varied significantly by species and location (p<0.01). Conclusion: Endoparasitic infections in small ruminants in Siirt province were found to be highly prevalent and exhibited significant variation according to species, age, sex, and location. These findings emphasize the need for targeted and sustainable parasite control strategies in the region. Furthermore, regulating antiparasitic drug use and supporting studies focused on monitoring therapeutic efficacy and resistance development are considered essential.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program (Application No: 1919B012323725).

Project Number

Application No: 1919B012323725

Ethical Statement

An ethics committee decision for this study was obtained from the Siirt University Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments (Decision No: 2024/05/31, dated 31.05.2024).

References

  1. Akyuz M, Kirman R, Yaya S, Gülbeyen H, Güven E. Endoparasites determined by fecal examination in sheep in Erzurum province. Turkiye Parasitol Derg. 2019; 43(4):187-193.
  2. Alcala-Canto Y, Figueroa-Castillo JA, Ibarra-Velarde F, et al. First database of the spatial distribution of Eimeria species of cattle, sheep and goats in Mexico. Parasitol Res. 2020; 119(3): 1057-1074.
  3. Anderson RC. Nematode parasites of vertebrates: Their development and transmission. 2nd ed. Wallingford: CABI Publishing; 2000.
  4. Arslan MÖ, Umur S, Kara M. The prevalence of coccidian species in sheep in Kars province of Turkey. Trop Anim Health Prod. 1999; 31(3):161-165.
  5. Aslan Celik B, Celik OY, Ayan A, et al. Occurrence and genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium spp and Giardia duodenalis in sheep in Siirt, Turkey. Pol J Vet Sci. 2023; 26(3):359-366.
  6. Aydenizoz M, Yildiz K. Prevalence of Anoplocephalidae species in sheep and cattle slaughtered in Kirikkale, Turkey. Rev Med Vet. 2003; 154(12):767-771.
  7. Aydın A. Parasitic fauna detection in animals slaughtered at Hakkari Municipality Abattoir. [PhD thesis]. Van: Yuzuncu Yil University, Institute of Health Sciences; 2002.
  8. Bath GF, Van Wyk JA. The five point check for targeted selective treatment of internal parasites in small ruminants. Small Rumin Res. 2009; 86(1-3):6-13.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 29, 2026

Submission Date

December 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 12, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

APA
Selçuk, M. A., Özen, R. E., Karakuş, T., Kırşan, F., Kara, M., Aslan Çelik, B., & Çelik, Ö. Y. (2026). Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, 10(1), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842941
AMA
1.Selçuk MA, Özen RE, Karakuş T, et al. Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye. TJVR. 2026;10(1):83-91. doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842941
Chicago
Selçuk, Muhammed Ahmed, Rüştü Erdem Özen, Tamer Karakuş, et al. 2026. “Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 (1): 83-91. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842941.
EndNote
Selçuk MA, Özen RE, Karakuş T, Kırşan F, Kara M, Aslan Çelik B, Çelik ÖY (March 1, 2026) Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 1 83–91.
IEEE
[1]M. A. Selçuk et al., “Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye”, TJVR, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 83–91, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47748/tjvr.1842941.
ISNAD
Selçuk, Muhammed Ahmed - Özen, Rüştü Erdem - Karakuş, Tamer - Kırşan, Ferit - Kara, Murat - Aslan Çelik, Burçak - Çelik, Özgür Yaşar. “Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 83-91. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842941.
JAMA
1.Selçuk MA, Özen RE, Karakuş T, Kırşan F, Kara M, Aslan Çelik B, Çelik ÖY. Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye. TJVR. 2026;10:83–91.
MLA
Selçuk, Muhammed Ahmed, et al. “Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 83-91, doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842941.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Ahmed Selçuk, Rüştü Erdem Özen, Tamer Karakuş, Ferit Kırşan, Murat Kara, Burçak Aslan Çelik, Özgür Yaşar Çelik. Prevalence of Endoparasites in Small Ruminants in Siirt Province, Türkiye. TJVR. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):83-91. doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842941