Les helminthoses digestives chez les bovins en Algérie

Abstract

Cattle farming is a crucial part of the agricultural economy worldwide, providing animal proteins (such as milk and meat) as well as by-products such as leather and organic nutrients. It also plays an essential role in the socio-economic development of rural areas. However, this sector is faced with various health constraints, notably parasitic diseases, which are a major limiting factor in its productivity. In this context, the present work constitutes a bibliographical study of bovine parasitosis in Algeria. It focuses on species belonging to the trematode, cestode and nematode groups. The analysis is based on the morphology of these parasites, their life cycle, associated clinical symptoms, geographical distribution and existing treatment techniques. Among the parasitoses studied, hepatobiliary distomatoses occupy an important place. These are zoonotic parasitic affections, common to humans and various mammals, particularly ruminants. They are caused by the development, in the bile ducts, of trematodes belonging mainly to the Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium lanceolatum species. As far as cestodes are concerned, taenia is an infection caused by tapeworms, which can affect humans or animals, depending on the species involved. Two major species are found in cattle: Moniezia benedeni and Taenia saginata, although they differ biologically and epidemiologically. Moniezia benedeni is an intestinal parasite of ruminants, particularly young cattle. Its life cycle is indirect, involving a soil oribate mite as intermediate host. Although asymptomatic in the majority of cases, massive infestation can cause digestive disorders. In its adult form, however, Taenia saginata is a specifically human parasite. Its larval form, Cysticercus bovis, develops in cattle, which act as an intermediate host. The cycle begins with cattle ingesting eggs from human excrement. The larvae then migrate into the striated muscles, where they develop cystitis.