Abstract:Dicrocoelium chinensis parasitizes in the liver ducts,bile ducts,and gallbladder of ruminant animals such as sheep,goats,cows,deer and camel,and is often co-infected with the Fasciola hepatica.Infected cattle,sheep,deer and camel exhibit visible mucosal yellowing,submandibular and chest edema.Upon autopsy,liver enlargement and sclerosis,cholangitis,and thickening of the bile duct wall can be observed.Dicrocoliasis can be preliminarily diagnosed based on epidemiological,clinical symptoms,and egg morphology characteristics.Pathological autopsy and PCR testing can confirm the diagnosis.Dicrocoelium chinensis poses a serious threat in the northwest region of China.Comprehensive measures have been taken to eliminate the intermediate hosts,striped snails and small branch snails,and to strengthen the management of drinking water and forage for the final hosts,cattle,sheep,deer,and camels,in order to reduce economic losses in animal husbandry.
