Abstract

Introduction: Fasciolosis represents a significant economic impact on livestock production in different countries. The gold standard method for diagnosing fasciolosis is currently a coprological examination, based on egg detection in stool. However, this approach is undoubtedly ineffective, especially during the acute phase of the disease. In order to detect all stages of infection, an alternative serological method is used for confirming the infected animals with Fasciolosis Thus, we aimed to identifying the pre-patent and patent periods of equine fasciolosis using both copro-microscopical and the ELISA technique in different areas in Garmian region and Sulaimani provinces. Material and Methods: A coprological and the sensitive ELISA techniques were used to detect the presence of Fasciola hepatica in the infected horses through detection of the serum antibodies against secretary and the excretory antigens from F. hepatica. Results: The copro-prevalence and seroprevalence of equine fasciolosis were found to be 16% and 58%, respectively, in a total of 50 fecal and 50 blood samples of various ages. Conclusion: It was concluded that a serological test had an accurate result for the detection of Fasciola infection in horses than the coprological methods; particularly in horses had advanced into the patent period of the infection.