Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection of Ostriches From Breeding Farms in Tehran Province, Iran

Introduction: Parasites are a significant health threat and an obstacle to the development of the ostrich farming industry. Therefore, identification of parasitic infections in breeding farms is essential. Materials & Methods: This study examined ۳۱۱ fecal samples from ۱۰ farms in Tehran Province for parasitic infection using sedimentation and flotation methods.Results: Results revealed that ۳۳.۴۴% of both adult and immature ostriches were infected with eight types of helminthic and protozoan parasites. Eimeria spp. was the only infection found in immature ostriches, while five helminthic and three protozoan genera were identified in adults. Libyostrongylus douglassi had the highest prevalence at ۱۱.۲۵%, and Codiostomum struthionis had the lowest at ۰.۶۴%. Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of these infections serves as a warning for this emerging industry. Insufficient breeder knowledge about parasitic diseases, inadequate health management, and a lack of preventive measures may worsen the infection risks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gastrointestinal parasites ، Libiostrongylus ، Ostrich ، Tehran