The pathologic study of small intestine lesions in naturally affected by Paramphistomum in slaughtered sheep of Urmia city

Paramphistomatidae are the most important trematods of rumen and reticulum in ruminants. They elapse their maturity period in rumen and reticulum and have no changes in these organs and risk for host. But, there are larval forms of these trematods in small intestine while generate pathologic changes there. In a survey at Urmia slaughter house carcasses of approximately 2421 sheep were examined of which, 6 cases of ruminal infestation with Paramphistomum and in one case, infection of small intestine and its pathologic changes were observed. In general, infection rate of small intestine diagnosed out of total cases was 0.04%. There was severe congestion and haemorrhage in same small intestine. Microscopic study of this small intestine revealed dilation of intestinal glands, destruction of superficial glands, replacement of fibrin, diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrinonecrotic enteritis. Other changes as congestion, haemorrhage and nodules of Ostertagia were observed in total examined small intestines. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted by SPSS software and tstudent test. There was significant difference between pathologic changes, season and ecological situation of the region (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between age, sex and sample pH of examined sheep (p>0.05). According to the results of pathologic changes in small intestine of sheep in order to prevent the sheep in the area to be infected by this parasite and to decrease the damages caused, applying a parasitic control program is recommended.