Epizootology of Dictyocaulosis among sheep in Armenia Marine V. Vardanyan1,2,
M. V. Vardanyan,
L. J. Harutyunova,
R. E. Barseghyan,
Z. M. Dudukchyan,
R. L. Hovhannisyan,
M. Ya. Rukhkyan,
I. R. Vardanyan,
M. J. Mikaelyan,
I. R. Movsisyan,
M. Z. Magomedova,
P. D. Magomedova,
A. Sh. Magomedova,
K. V. Akopyan https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2026-1-6
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the epizootiology of dictyocaulosis in small ruminants and the ecology of its causative agent, Dictyocaulus filaria, within two natural‐landscape zones of Armenia – namely, the semi‐desert zone (375–700 m above sea level) and the mountain‐steppe zone (1200–2000 m above sea level). The research was conducted during the autumn–winter period of 2024 in both private and commercial sheep farms across the republic.
Fecal samples from 356 sheep of two age groups (1–2 years and over 2 years) were examined using the coprolarvoscopy method. Additionally, 56 sheep (24 young and 32 adult animals) were examined by partial helminthological necropsy.
The indices of prevalence (extensity) and intensity of invasion were determined. The prevalence rate in the lowland zone ranged between 25.26–33.33 %, while in the highland zone it varied between 31.79–40.0 %. Overall, infection rates in the mountain‐steppe zone were 13.9 % higher compared to those observed in the lowland zone. A similar pattern was recorded with respect to the intensity of Dictyocaulus invasion: in the lowland zone, the intensity varied between 16 ± 0.82 and 29 ± 1.39 larvae per 5 g of feces, while in the highland zone it ranged between 22 ± 0.68 and 31 ± 1.09 larvae.
Young sheep consistently demonstrated higher prevalence and intensity indices of invasion compared to adult animals in both ecological zones of Armenia. The results obtained indicate that Dictyocaulus filaria infection among sheep remains at a relatively high level within both naturallandscape zones of the republic.
About the Authors
M. V. Vardanyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences; National Agrarian University of Armenia
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
L. J. Harutyunova
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Laura J. Harutyunova
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
R. E. Barseghyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Roza E. Barseghyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
Z. M. Dudukchyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Zaruhi M. Dudukchyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
R. L. Hovhannisyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Ruzanna L. Hovhannisyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
M. Ya. Rukhkyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Martin Ya. Rukhkyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
I. R. Vardanyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Ilona R. Vardanyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
M. J. Mikaelyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Mikael J. Mikaelyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
I. R. Movsisyan
National Agrarian University of Armenia
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Irena R. Movsisyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
M. Z. Magomedova
Dagestan State University
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Madina Z. Magomedova
Makhachkala
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
P. D. Magomedova
Dagestan State University
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Patimat D. Magomedova
Makhachkala
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
A. Sh. Magomedova
Dagestan State University
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Asiyat Sh. Magomedova
Makhachkala
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
K. V. Akopyan
Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences
Armenia
Competing Interests:
Armenia
Karine V. Akopyan
Yerevan
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
References
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2. Boyakhchyan G.A. Methodology for the In Vivo Diagnosis of Pulmonary Helminthiasis in Sheep and Goats in Expeditionary Conditions. Rossiiskii parazitologicheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Parasitology]. 2007, no. 2, pp. 122–124. (In Russian)
3. Geoffrey N.R., Steiner D.L. Steiner. Biostatistics: The Bare Essentials. 4th edition. St. Louis, Mosby, 2014, 270 p.
4. Boyakhchyan G.A. Diktyocaulosis in Sheep in Armenia and Control Measures. Rossiiskii parazitologicheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Parasitology]. 2009, no. 1, pp. 75–85. (In Russian)
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For citations:
Vardanyan M.V., Harutyunova L.J., Barseghyan R.E., Dudukchyan Z.M., Hovhannisyan R.L., Rukhkyan M.Ya., Vardanyan I.R., Mikaelyan M.J., Movsisyan I.R., Magomedova M.Z., Magomedova P.D., Magomedova A.Sh., Akopyan K.V. Epizootology of Dictyocaulosis among sheep in Armenia Marine V. Vardanyan1,2,. South of Russia: ecology, development. 2026;21(1):56‐62. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2026-1-6
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