Abstract :
We conducted a study with the aim of setting out the composition of gastrointestinal parasite
communities within the goat farm system in Lombardy, a region in northern Italy. A
GIS was set and all the goat farms in the study area were geo-referenced. Our investigation
for gastrointestinal parasite infections involved 110 farms where 2554 individual per
rectum faecal samples were collected and tested. Almost all the examined goats resulted
to be positive to parasites (P = 96%, 95% CI: 95.1–96.7%). The taxa identified are Moniezia
benedeni, Strongyloides spp., Strongylida, Nematodirus spp., Skrjabinema spp., Trichuris spp.,
Capillaria spp., Marshallagia spp. and Eimeria spp. Co-infection supported by more than a
single parasite was observed in almost all the farms; goats could even harbour 6 taxa simultaneously.
A highly positive correlation emerged between the number of parasite taxa per
farm and pasture as well as extensive breeding (both showing p < 0.001). When considering
our data spatially,wefound a clustered pattern distribution of M. benedeni, Strongylida, Skrjabinema
while Strongyloides spp., Nematodirus spp., Trichuris spp. and Eimeria spp. resulted
to be randomly distributed among the farms. We also assessed spatially the positive relationship
of M. benedeni, Trichuris spp. and Strongylida to the pasture. As to Nematodirus, this
taxon showed to be particularly linked to altitude. Assessing the widespread distribution
of gastrointestinal parasites in the goat farms of Lombardy, was of particular interest to our
study. In fact, even if the parasitic risk mainly derives from pasture, in some areas the role
of goats as biological control agents for the renovation of pastures is getting more and more
important. Nevertheless, several autochthonous goat breeds can survive in different areas
of both western and eastern Lombardy where farming on extensive pasture is still carried
out. In order to support the smallest farmers with keeping such breeding, we think that the
control of parasites should be emphasized in these farms. Eradication of gastrointestinal
parasites from the environment is generally impractical; though, infections can be limited,
and control programmes should mainly minimize the deriving economic losses. For such
purpose, we would suggest a regional project of permanent sanitary monitoring of goat
farms all over Lombardy.
