Trematodes, commonly called flukes, are member of class trematode. Fluke infestation in domestic animals is one of the major economic problems for livestock farmers. Trematode diseases, namely fascioliasis, dicrocoeliasis, paramphistomiasis, and schistosomiasis, greatly hamper profitable livestock production in many countries of the world, especially those in the humid tropics and sub-tropics. Livestock become infected by ingesting the infective stage, the metacercaria, which contaminates grass and other vegetation. The intermediate host is a mud snail, which is commonly found in ditches and marshy lands. The trematode infection causes massive loss through affecting liver function, reducing production of milk, meat, and wool, and leading to poor weight gain, infertility, loss of vigor, and increased susceptibility to many diseases as well as mortality.
Although trematode diseases are responsible for mortality and thereby are a major constraint in livestock production worldwide, little information is available on the epidemiology of trematode infection in ruminants in many countries. Additionally, global climate change has led to expanded distribution of trematodes, and as such, their habitat has increased the prevalence of the trematode infection in previously non-endemic countries. This has created new challenges in the prevention and control of these diseases.
The objective of this Research Topic is to collate the work of authors from various areas of research relating to trematode infection into a comprehensible article collection. We aim to improve understanding in this field and emphasize the importance of developing new strategies to control trematode diseases.
This Research Topic is open to Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Case Reports on trematode infection in ruminants.
Trematodes, commonly called flukes, are member of class trematode. Fluke infestation in domestic animals is one of the major economic problems for livestock farmers. Trematode diseases, namely fascioliasis, dicrocoeliasis, paramphistomiasis, and schistosomiasis, greatly hamper profitable livestock production in many countries of the world, especially those in the humid tropics and sub-tropics. Livestock become infected by ingesting the infective stage, the metacercaria, which contaminates grass and other vegetation. The intermediate host is a mud snail, which is commonly found in ditches and marshy lands. The trematode infection causes massive loss through affecting liver function, reducing production of milk, meat, and wool, and leading to poor weight gain, infertility, loss of vigor, and increased susceptibility to many diseases as well as mortality.
Although trematode diseases are responsible for mortality and thereby are a major constraint in livestock production worldwide, little information is available on the epidemiology of trematode infection in ruminants in many countries. Additionally, global climate change has led to expanded distribution of trematodes, and as such, their habitat has increased the prevalence of the trematode infection in previously non-endemic countries. This has created new challenges in the prevention and control of these diseases.
The objective of this Research Topic is to collate the work of authors from various areas of research relating to trematode infection into a comprehensible article collection. We aim to improve understanding in this field and emphasize the importance of developing new strategies to control trematode diseases.
This Research Topic is open to Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Case Reports on trematode infection in ruminants.
