PREVALENCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF DICROCOELIUM SPP IN CATTLE AT TAMBOUL SLAUGHTERHOUSE, GEZIRA STATE, SUDAN USING FLOTATION AND SEDIMENTATION TECHNIQUES

Background: Dicrocoelium dendriticum and related species are lancet liver flukes that infect the bile ducts of ruminants. Dicrocoeliosis leads to cholangitis, liver fibrosis, liver condemnation, and significant economic losses in endemic areas. The life cycle involves terrestrial snails and ants as intermediate hosts, making its distribution highly dependent on environmental and ecological factors.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of _Dicrocoelium_ spp. eggs in slaughtered cattle at Tamboul Slaughterhouse, Gezira State, Sudan, and compare the diagnostic sensitivity of flotation and sedimentation techniques.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional abattoir study was conducted from July to August 2022. Three hundred fresh rectal fecal samples were collected. Samples were processed using saturated NaCl flotation and water sedimentation. Eggs were identified morphologically. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26 with Chi-square test.
Results: The overall prevalence was 1.0% (3/300). Sedimentation detected 100% (3/3) of positive cases while flotation detected 66.7% (2/3). Infection was detected only in cattle >3 years 1.7% (3/180). Differences between sexes and breeds were not statistically significant P>0.05.
Conclusion:  Dicrocoelium infection is of very low prevalence. Sedimentation technique showed higher sensitivity for detection of Dicrocoelium eggs. Continuous surveillance is recommended.