Helminth Infections of Ruminants

Helminthology is the study of worms, be they roundworms or flatworms, parasitic or free-living. It deals with aspects such as taxonomy and classification, morphology, clinical pathology, immunology, pathogenesis and pathology, molecular characteristics, epidemiology and helminth community composition and behaviour. Many scientists have contributed to this science and numerous articles on animal parasites are currently published annually.

In this module we attempt to provide some information about the helminths of primary importance that infect the domesticated ruminants in South Africa. The module is in no way complete and out of all the hundreds of species that parasitize sheep, goats and cattle throughout the world, only about 30 are dealt with here. Some definitions are given, and a number of pages are dedicated to epidemiology. The epidemiological factors that influence helminth distribution and numbers are provided and discussed in some depth and, the life cycles, pathogenesis and pathology of the more common helminths are described.

For further reading the student is advised to consult the Helminthological Abstracts where information on all aspects of Helminthology may be found.