Helminth Distribution in Cattle in Intensive Farming Systems in the Samsun Region

Abstract

Helminth infections in cattle are among the parasitic diseases that seriously affect animal health worldwide and cause significant economic losses. In this context, the present study was conducted between April 2025 and December 2025 to determine the helminth species and their distribution in intensively reared cattle in the Çarşamba, Terme, Tekkeköy, and Ayvacık districts of Samsun province and to obtain epidemiological data. In the study, fecal samples were collected during natural defecation from a total of 400 cattle, while breed, sex, and age characteristics were recorded. The fecal samples were examined using the Fülleborn saturated salt flotation, Benedek sedimentation, and Baermann–Wetzel methods. Of the 400 fecal samples examined, 61.75% were found to be infected with one or more helminth species. The prevalence rates were 39% for Trichostrongylidae, 7.5% for Moniezia spp., 1.25% for Nematodirus spp., 1% for Bunostomum spp., 0.75% for Capillaria spp., 32% for Paramphistomum spp., 3.5% for Dicrocoelium spp., 2% for Fasciola spp., and 0.25% for Toxocara vitulorum. In addition, the protozoan Eimeria spp. was detected at a rate of 27.5%. When age groups were considered, Paramphistomum spp. and Trichostrongylidae infection rates were significantly higher in cattle aged older than 12 months (p < 0.001). The prevalence of helminth infections was significantly higher in the Holstein breed compared to other breeds (p = 0.013). According to sex, female cattle showed a significantly higher prevalence of helminth infections (p = 0.003).