Antibiotic treatment of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in domestic sheep (Ovis aries): Working at the livestock-wildlife interface in Yukon, Canada.

Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) can carry the bacterium Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) in their upper respiratory tract, often with little effect on health and productivity. However, for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations, there is a link between M. ovipneumoniae infection and pneumonia, poor lamb recruitment, and high fatality rate. Because of these outcomes, preventing transmission of M. ovipneumoniae to free-ranging wild sheep has garnered interest from both the livestock and wildlife sectors. We hypothesized that treatment with intranasal and systemic enrofloxacin would reduce the prevalence of M. ovipneumoniae-positive animals in a flock of domestic sheep. Initially, the prevalence decreased in the treated group; but by 34 d post-treatment, the number of M. ovipneumoniae-positive sheep returned to near pretreatment prevalence. Key clinical message: Test-and-slaughter is a method used to reduce the risk of transmission of pneumonia-causing M. ovipneumoniae from domestic sheep and goats to free-ranging wild sheep. In an effort to find an alternative, we used enrofloxacin to treat a flock of M. ovipneumoniae-positive domestic sheep; however, long-term reduction of M. ovipneumoniae prevalence in the flock was not achieved.

Traitement antibiotique de Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae chez le mouton domestique (Ovis aries): travail à l'interface bétail-faune au Yukon, Canada. Les moutons domestiques (Ovis aries) peuvent être porteurs de la bactérie Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) dans leurs voies respiratoires supérieures, avec souvent peu d'effets sur la santé et la productivité. Cependant, pour les populations de mouflons d'Amérique (Ovis canadensis), il existe un lien entre l'infection à M. ovipneumoniae et la pneumonie, un faible recrutement d'agneaux et un taux de mortalité élevé. En raison de ces résultats, la prévention de la transmission de M. ovipneumoniae aux moutons sauvages en liberté a suscité l'intérêt des secteurs de l'élevage et de la faune sauvage. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse qu'un traitement par enrofloxacine intranasale et systémique réduirait la prévalence d'animaux positifs à M. ovipneumoniae dans un troupeau de moutons domestiques. Initialement, la prévalence a diminué dans le groupe traité; mais 34 jours après le traitement, le nombre de moutons positifs à M. ovipneumoniae est revenu à une prévalence proche de celle précédant le traitement.Message clinique clé :L'essai et l'abattage sont une méthode utilisée pour réduire le risque de transmission de M. ovipneumoniae, responsable de la pneumonie, des moutons et chèvres domestiques aux moutons sauvages en liberté. Dans le but de trouver une alternative, nous avons utilisé l'enrofloxacine pour traiter un troupeau de moutons domestiques positifs à M. ovipneumoniae; cependant, aucune réduction à long terme de la prévalence de M. ovipneumoniae dans le troupeau n'a été obtenue.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Causes of abortion in Iranian sheep flocks and associated risk factors.

Abortion is a major issue in sheep husbandry. It can result in significant economic losses and a severe public health risk. This survey assessed the infectious and non-infectious causes of abortion in Iranian sheep flocks and determined the main risk factors. In this cross-sectional survey, causes of abortion were evaluated in 757 sheep flocks, and risk factors were analysed. A checklist containing general animal information for each abortion outbreak evaluated was filled in. Data were analysed using univariate tests and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In this sense, parity, gestational age of the aborted fetus, vaccination protocol, mineral supplementation and history of stillbirth showed significant associations with abortion. Infectious agents such as Coxiella burnetti (22.7%), Chlamydia abortus (12.3%) and Brucella melitensis (10.4%) were the most frequently isolated in the investigated flocks, with more than 2% of abortion rates. On the other hand, non-infectious agents such as trauma, pregnancy toxaemia and vitamin E/Se deficiency were involved in those flocks with low abortion rates (less than 10%). Results revealed multiple causes of abortion outbreaks among Iranian sheep flocks, which need careful investigation to identify possible aetiology and risk factors. Further studies are necessary to evaluate if these factors are similar to other countries in the same region.

Ovine haemonchosis: a review.

Sheep farming is the backbone of a rural economy in developing countries, and haemonchosis is a major impediment in the way of its progress. Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection persists all over the world particularly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Various review articles have been published to substantially cover one or more aspects of its morphology, prevalence, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, immune response, drug resistance, treatment, and control measure. The objective of this paper is to briefly review past and present information available in the aforementioned areas in one place to enable the readers to fully understand the problem from a broader perspective. H. contortus parasite harbours in abomasum of affected animal and feeds on its blood, producing mild to severe symptoms and even death in acute form. The parasite thus inflicts heavy production losses and is of economic importance. H. contortus has developed diverse characters over the years leading to limited success in the production of vaccines. Indiscriminate use of the anthelmintics has produced drug resistance against almost all conventional products. Efficacy of medicinal plants and non-conventional chemicals has been reported under controlled experiments; however, research on their adverse effects on growth and fertility is yet to be studied. Research on molecular tools for identification and introduction of resistant genes into the flock is also underway but still a long journey to find its field application. Crossbreeding may compromise the production traits of the existing flock. In given circumstances, a targeted selective treatment approach along with selective breeding, culling of more susceptible animals, and maintaining a good body condition score through the provision of a balanced diet remains a workable strategy to control haemonchosis in sheep.

Liver fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence and associations with management practices and co-infection with rumen fluke.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to identify the national prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Irish sheep and to conduct a risk analysis assessment based on management and treatment practices in participating flocks. Also, co-infection with rumen fluke was quantified and its association with liver fluke and management practices was assessed. METHODS: A total of 305 sheep flocks were selected ensuring even national representation of the sheep population. Participating farms were asked to complete a survey questionnaire on farm management practices and submit faecal samples during the winter of 2014-2015. Pooled faecal samples were analysed for the presence of F. hepatica and co-infection with rumen fluke. Apparent and true prevalence were calculated, additionally, the rate of co-infection with rumen fluke was also obtained. Correlation and regression analyses were used for assessing associations between management practices, liver fluke infection and co-infection with rumen fluke. RESULTS: The national true prevalence of F. hepatica was 50.4% (n = 305). Regional prevalence varied from 41% in the east to 52% in the south. Co-infection with rumen fluke was observed in 40% of the studied population and correlated with increased F. hepatica egg counts (OR = 2.9; P ≤ 0.001). Predominant breeds were Suffolk, Texel and Horned Mountain breeds. Beef cattle were the most frequent type of other livestock present on farms and mixed species grazing was frequently reported (73%). More than half of the flocks reported a mid-to-late lambing period (March-April). Use of mountain land for grazing was of 32%. Flukicides were most commonly used twice over the autumn-winter period. Regression analyses highlighted significant association of F. hepatica status, with the presence of other livestock on farm, frequency of flukicides used during the winter and clinical presentation of liver fluke. A significant increase in eggs per gram of faeces was observed in Charollais sheep in comparison with all other breeds. Co-infection with F. hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi was also significantly associated with the presence of other livestock on the farm, type of flukicide used and clinical fasciolosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides up-to-date information on the prevalence of F. hepatica in Irish sheep and adds insight to the epidemiology of the disease. These findings will be useful for designing new holistic control measures for F. hepatica infection.

A reconnaissance survey of farmers' awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms.

Hypomagnesaemic tetany (HypoMgT) in ruminants is a physiological disorder caused by inadequate intake or impaired absorption of magnesium (Mg) in the gut. If it is not detected and treated in time, HypoMgT can cause the death of the affected animal. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted from July 2016-2017 to assess farmers' awareness of HypoMgT in cattle and sheep in the UK. The questionnaire was distributed to farmers at farm business events and agricultural shows, and through a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices to their clients. Farmers were asked about (i) the incidence of presumed HypoMgT (PHT); (ii) their strategies to treat or prevent HypoMgT; (iii) mineral tests on animals, forage and soil, and (iv) farm enterprise type. A total of 285 responses were received from 82 cattle, 157 mixed cattle and sheep, and 46 sheep farmers, of whom 39% reported HypoMgT in their livestock, affecting 1-30 animals. Treatment and/or prevention against HypoMgT was reported by 96% respondents with PHT and 79% of those without. Mineral tests on animal, forage, and soil was conducted by 24%, 53%, and 66% of the respondents, respectively, regardless of PHT. There was a highly significant association between the use of interventions to tackle HypoMgT and the incidence of PHT (p < 0.01). The top three treatment/prevention strategies used were reported as being free access supplementation (149), in feed supplementation (59) and direct to animal treatments (drenches, boluses and injections) (45) although these did vary by farm type. Although some (9) reported using Mg-lime, no other pasture management interventions were reported (e.g., Mg-fertilisation or sward composition). Generally, the results indicate that UK farmers are aware of the risks of HypoMgT. A more integrated soil-forage-animal assessment may improve the effectiveness of tackling HypoMgT and help highlight the root causes of the problem.

Production responses and cost-benefit of long-acting pre-lambing anthelmintic treatment of yearling ewes in two commercial flocks in New Zealand.

AIMS: To investigate the production responses and cost-benefit of administering a controlled-release anthelmintic capsule (CRC) to pregnant yearling ewes prior to lambing. METHODS: Yearling ewes from two commercial sheep flocks (A, n=489; B, n=248) in the North Island of New Zealand were enrolled in the study. Prior to lambing, CRC containing albendazole and abamectin were administered to half the ewes while the other half remained untreated. Ewe liveweights and body condition scores were measured prior to lambing, at weaning and, for Flock B, prior to subsequent mating. Lambs were matched to dams shortly after birth and the weight and number of lamb weaned per ewe were determined. A cost-benefit analysis was undertaken for Flock B considering the increased weight of lamb weaned per ewe, and the weight of ewes at the next mating and the benefit in terms of lambs born. RESULTS: The mean weight at weaning of treated ewes was greater for treated than untreated ewes by 2.76 (95% CI 0.64-4.88) kg in Flock A (p<0.001) and 2.35 (95% CI -0.41-5.12) kg in Flock B (p=0.003); the weight of lamb weaned per ewe was greater for treated than untreated ewes by 1.43 (95% CI -0.71 to -3.49) kg in Flock A (p=0.041) and 3.97 (95% CI 1.59-6.37) kg in Flock B (p<0.001), and ewe liveweight prior to subsequent mating was greater for treated than untreated ewes in Flock B by 4.60 (95% CI 3.6-5.6) kg (p<0.001). There was no difference in the percentage of lambs reared to weaning between treated and untreated ewes in either flock (p>0.8). The overall cost-benefit of treatment for Flock B was NZ$9.44 per treated ewe. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pre-lambing CRC administration to yearling ewes resulted in increased ewe weaning weights and weight of lamb weaned in both the flocks studied. There was an economic benefit in the one flock where this was assessed.

Understanding the health and production impacts of endemic Chlamydia pecorum infections in lambs.

Lamydia pecorum is a globally recognised livestock pathogen that is capable of causing severe and economically significant diseases such as arthritis in sheep and cattle. Relatively little information is available on the clinical progression of disease and the long-term effects of asymptomatic and symptomatic chlamydiosis in sheep. Recent studies in calves indicate that endemic C. pecorum infections may reduce growth rates. To investigate the clinical health parameters and production impacts of endemic C. pecorum infection in an Australian commercial lamb flock, we performed bimonthly sampling and clinical health assessments on 105 Border Leicester lambs from two to ten months of age. Chlamydial status was investigated via serology and species-specific quantitative PCR. Throughout the study period, conjunctivitis remained a persistent clinical feature while signs of arthritis (e.g. palpable synovial joint effusions) resolved in a subset of lambs while persisting in others. Clinical disease and C. pecorum infection were highest at six months of age (weaning). As previously reported, peak seroconversion tends to occur two months after the onset of clinical symptoms (6 months of age), with lambs clearing chlamydial infection by 10 months of age, despite ongoing disease still being present at this time. Notably, the presence of chlamydial infection did not affect lamb mass or growth rates throughout the study. At necropsy, C. pecorum was not detected within the joints of lambs with chronic arthritis. Molecular analysis of the strains in this flock suggest that the infecting strains circulating in this flock are clonal C. pecorum pathotypes, denoted ST 23, commonly associated with conjunctivitis and polyarthritis in Australian sheep. This study provides a platform for further research in the epidemiology and disease transmission dynamics of C. pecorum infections in sheep.

Report: Prevalence and antibiotic trials against Salmonella enterica isolated from diarrheic lambs and kids.

Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) is the major zoonotic threat for small ruminants and humans responsible for huge economic losses and high mortality in Pakistan. Lambs and kids of Lahore district were examined to determine the prevalence, hematology and chemotherapy of S. enterica. A total of 200 diarrheic samples (n=100 lambs; n=100 kids) were collected and examined; 59 (29.50%) were found positive for S. enterica. Lambs had lightly greater prevalence (31%) than kids (29%). The frequency analysis (OR=1.16 [reciprocal =0.87]) showed non-significant difference in both the lambs and kids. The significant decrease (Pℜ0.001) in hemoglobin, pack cell volume and total erythrocyte count was observed in infected lambs and kids. Results of in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. enteric isolated from both lambs and kids were susceptible to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, azithromycin, tobramycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin and nalidixic acid. Where as the results of in vivo antibiotic trials showed that isolates from both lambs and the kids with diarrhea were susceptible to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

Failure of maternal colostral antibody transfer in lambs linked to excess dietary iodine.

Failure of maternal colostral antibody transfer in lambsHypomagnesaemia in calvesHyperplastic goitre in a stillborn calfAbortion storm in a beef herd due to Salmonella MontevideoRickets in hogg lambsStaphylococcus hyicus isolated from piglets with joint ill These are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for March 2016 from SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services (SAC C VS).

Phosphorus metabolic disorder of Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep.

Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep are affected by a disease, characterized by emaciation, lameness, stiffness in the gait, enlargement of the costochondral junctions, and abnormal curvature in the long bones. The objective of this study was to determine possible relationships between the disease and mineral deficiencies. Samples of tissue and blood were collected from affected and unaffected sheep. Samples of soil and forage were collected from affected and unaffected areas. The samples were used for biochemical analyses and mineral nutrient measurements. Results showed that phosphorus (P) concentrations in forage samples from affected areas were significantly lower than those from unaffected areas (P < 0.01) and the mean ratio of calcium (Ca) to P in the affected forage was 12:1. Meanwhile, P concentrations of blood, bone, tooth, and wool from the affected sheep were also significantly lower than those from the unaffected group (P < 0.01). Serum P levels of the affected animals were much lower than those of the unaffected ones, whereas serum alkaline phosphatase levels from the affected were significantly higher than those from the unaffected (P < 0.01). Inorganic P levels of the affected sheep were about half of those in the control group. Oral administration of disodium hydrogen phosphate prevented and cured the disease. The study clearly demonstrated that the disease of Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep was mainly caused by the P deficiency in forage, as a result of fenced pasture and animal habitat fragmentation.

Variation of serum selenium concentrations in German sheep flocks and implications for herd health management consultancy.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to demonstrate the widespread distribution and severity of selenium (Se) deficiency in sheep flocks and to evaluate the impact of influencing factors. In 150 flocks, ten serum samples of adult ewes were analysed for Se concentration. The farmers were interviewed concerning flock size, provision of mineral supplement, predominant form of husbandry (stationary fenced pasture/transhumance), predominant form of water provision (tap water/well/surface water) and predominant soil (sandy, silty/loamy, clay) in the area. The location of the flock was recorded as well as the production stage/season at the time of sampling. Intra-group variation and the validity to analyse pooled samples were tested. RESULTS: Pools of five samples correlated well with the mean of individually analysed samples. The intra-group range of serum Se concentration varied enormously (mean 45.4 ± 18.8 µg Se/l). About 60% of the flocks showed mean serum Se concentrations below 80 µg/l, 37.4% were below 60 µg Se/l, representing a Se deficient stage. Using mineral supplement in general was no key factor for Se status. Stationary flocks on fenced pasture had constantly higher mean serum Se concentrations during breeding (outdoors, August-November), lambing (mainly indoors, December-March) and lactation (outdoors, April-July), whereas flocks practising transhumance had significantly lower Se status, except during lambing. There was no significant correlation between the soil type and the Se status, but flocks in Southern Germany tend to show a lower Se status compared to Central and Northern Germany. Increasing flock size was associated with lower mean serum Se concentrations. In stationary flocks only, the use of surface water was accompanied by significantly lower Se status. CONCLUSION: Se deficiency is widespread in German sheep flocks. More than one third of the flocks showed Se deficiency, indicating the need to optimise the nutritional management. Factors raising suspicion of Se deficiency are large flocks, transhumance during lactation and the breeding season as well as surface water provision in stationary flocks.

An outbreak of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) intoxication in selenium- and copper-deficient sheep in California.

Sodium fluoroacetate is an organofluorine compound toxic to mammals, insects, and birds, currently registered for use only in livestock protection collars as a predacide in some North American states, with restricted use in California. A flock of 445 lambs and ewes in California were moved into a native pasture on a municipal refuse disposal site. Within 24 hours, 14 ewes were found dead, and the remaining sheep were moved off the site. Both ewes and lambs exhibited disoriented running, followed by apparent blindness, weakness, ataxia, coma, and death. Over the next 4 days, 63 ewes and 80 lambs died with a peak at 3 days after grazing the suspect pasture (157/445, 35% mortality). Two dead 4-month-old lambs and 2 ewes were submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory for necropsy. Grossly, there were bilateral diffuse pulmonary congestion and edema, hydrothorax and hydropericardium with fibrin clots, and multifocally extensive areas of epicardial petechiae, ecchymoses, and pallor. In 1 ewe, there was regional caudodorsal pulmonary hemorrhage and intraluminal tracheal clotted blood. Microscopically in all cases, there was multifocal acute myocardial degeneration and necrosis with nonsuppurative pleocellular myocarditis. Sodium fluoroacetate was detected in kidney from a lamb and a ewe at 27.5 and 12.5 parts per billion, respectively. All sheep were selenium deficient, and concurrent copper deficiency was diagnosed in 3. The pathological and toxicological findings were consistent with 1080 poisoning, possibly exacerbated by micronutrient deficiency. This outbreak raised an alert about the use of restricted products with potential lethal effect in animals in California.

An outbreak of severe iodine-deficiency goitre in a sheep flock in north-east Victoria.

BACKGROUND: Several outbreaks of goitre, considered to be related to iodine deficiency, occurred in sheep flocks throughout Victoria in 2010. OBJECTIVE: We describe one outbreak in Merino-Border Leicester-cross ewes and their lambs in north-east Victoria that appeared to be associated with increased rainfall and pasture growth, particularly during the preceding summer and autumn. RESULTS: The outbreak was characterised by a four-fold increase in neonatal lamb deaths and goitre, alopecia and poor skeletal development in the lambs. Most cases occurred in lambs born to 2-year-old crossbred ewes that had grazed long, lush perennial pastures throughout their entire pregnancy, whereas few cases occurred in mature crossbred or Merino ewes that had grazed shorter, annual pastures on hill country for 3 weeks in late pregnancy but were otherwise managed similarly. CONCLUSION: Existing recommendations for south-eastern Australia are that only spring-lambing ewes in iodine-deficient areas require iodine supplementation to prevent goitre in years with high autumn-winter rainfall. Aspects of this outbreak suggest that ewes lambing at other times of the year and grazing abundant pasture for prolonged periods may also require supplementation to prevent goitre, even if autumn-winter rainfall does not exceed previously established thresholds.

Investigations concerning the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia abortus in sheep in correlation with management systems and abortion rate in Lower Saxony in 2004.

The intracellular bacteria Coxiella (C) burnetii and Chlamydia (Chl) abortus induce abortion in sheep and also affect humans. While Chl. abortus only infrequently infects humans, C burnetii is the aetiological agent of numerous Q fever outbreaks during the last decades. There is only limited knowledge about the prevalence of both pathogens in sheep, although sheep are involved in almost all Q fever outbreaks in Germany. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of both pathogens in flocks located in Lower Saxony, Germany, in correlation to the management form and abortion rate. Serum samples of 1714 sheep from 95 flocks located in Lower Saxony were investigated by ELISA. 2.7% of these samples were positive, 1.3% showed inconclusive results in the C. burnetii-ELISA. Elevated intra-flock seroprevalences were only detected in three migrating flocks. Chlamydia-specific antibodies could be detected in 15.1% serum samples of mainly shepherded and migrating flocks. In one of these flocks with a high intra-flock seroprevalence for C burnetii (27%) and Chlamydia (44.9%), C burnetii was detected in 21.6% of the placenta samples of normal births and in 12.5% of the colostrum samples by PCR. Aborted fetuses and the corresponding placentas were negative in C burnetii-PCR, but in most of them and also in many other placenta samples Chl. abortus could be detected by PCR and DNA microarray. This survey shows a low overall prevalence of C. burnetii in sheep in Lower Saxony in the year 2004. However, three migrating flocks with a high intra-flock prevalence are localized in the southern parts of Lower Saxony. Spreading of C burnetii could occur, because of the large radius of grazing of all three flocks.

A clinical trial comparing parenteral oxytetracyline and enrofloxacin on time to recovery in sheep lame with acute or chronic footrot in Kashmir, India.

BACKGROUND: No clinical trials have been conducted in India on the efficacy of parenteral antibacterials to treat footrot in sheep. In addition, there are no studies worldwide on the efficacy of parenteral antibacterials to treat chronic footrot. Sixty two sheep with acute footrot and 30 sheep with chronic footrot from 7 villages in Kashmir, India were recruited into two separate trials. Sheep with acute footrot were allocated to one of three treatments using stratified random sampling: long acting parenteral oxytetracycline, long acting parenteral enrofloxacin and topical application of potassium permanganate solution (a traditional treatment used by sheep farmers in India). In a quasi pre-post intervention design, sheep with chronic footrot that had not responded to treatment with potassium permanaganate were randomly allocated to treatment with one of the two parenteral antibacterials mentioned above. Sheep with acute footrot were treated on day 0 and those with chronic footrot on days 0, 3, 6 and 9. Sheep were monitored for up to 28 days after treatment. Time to recovery from lameness and initial healing of lesions was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, nonparametric log-rank and Wilcoxon sign-rank tests. RESULTS: There was significant correlation in recovery from lameness and presence of healing lesions in sheep with acute (r = 0.94) or chronic (r = 0.98) footrot. Sheep with acute footrot which were treated with parenteral antibacterials had a significantly more rapid recovery from lameness and had healing lesions (median = 7 days) compared with those treated with topical potassium permanganate solution (less than 50% recovered in 28 days). The median time to recovery in sheep with chronic footrot treated with either antibacterial was 17 days; this was significantly lower than the median of 75 days lame before treatment with antibacterials. The median time to recovery for both acute and chronic footrot increased as the severity of lesions increased. There was no difference in time to recovery by age, body condition score, duration lame, or presence of pus in the foot within acute and chronically affected sheep. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that use of parenteral antibacterials to treat sheep lame with either acute or chronic footrot in India is highly effective. This is likely to improve welfare and give economic benefits to the farmers.

Studies on monieziasis of sheep I. Prevalence and antihelminthic effects of some plant extracts, a light and electron microscopic study.

Out of 2,343 examined sheep throughout the whole year, 271 were found to be infected with tapeworms (11.5%). The highest infection rate (22.1%) was recorded in autumn, while the lowest (6%) occurred in summer. Six species of cestodes were identified according to their prevalence: Moniezia expansa (74%), Moniezia denticulata (8.5%), Moniezia benedeni (4.8%), Moniezia trigonophora (2.7%), and Thysaniezia giardi (2.7%), T. giardi was recorded in Egypt for the first time. M. expansa was found throughout the year with two peaks in January (92.3%) and June (88.5%). SEM examination revealed that M. expansa scolex has four triangular suckers guarded by an X-shaped fibrous band that makes them open permanently. Also, there is a Y-shaped apical part at the scolex center which may be an embryonically non-developed rostellum. The whole worm body surface is covered with unidirectional microtriches. TEM showed that the tegument is underlaid by a thick fibrous interstitial layer below which an outer circular and an inner longitudinal muscular layer are arranged. Beneath these structures the subtegumental cells are found which have spherical electron-dense inclusions and various other cell organelles. Moreover, M. expansa has interproglottidal glands which contain secretory vesicles and secretions. For biological control of this parasite, different concentrations of crude plant extract of Artemisia cina were used in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the results indicated that the plant extract is efficacious at all concentrations tested. Electron microscopic examination showed that many structures of the treated worms were affected. The most affected sites were the scolex and the microtriches of the outer tegumental surface. In vivo, treatment of heavily infected animals showed an antihelminthic effect, since the complete absence of eggs was recorded 9 days after treatment when fecal investigations were done.