Helminth parasites of humans and ruminant livestock in Saudi Arabia: Diversity and zoonotic risks
El-Hassan, E.M.; Salim, B.; Mohammed, S.B.; ElBadwi, A.E.M. (2026). Helminth parasites of humans and ruminant livestock in Saudi Arabia: Diversity and zoonotic risks. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 74: 101545. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101545
In: Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. Elsevier: Amsterdam. e-ISSN 2405-9390, more
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| Author keywords |
Helminth diversity; Ruminant livestock; Epidemiology and distribution; Cross-species transmission; Zoonotic parasites
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| Authors | | Top |
- El-Hassan, E.M.
- Salim, B.
- Mohammed, S.B.
- ElBadwi, A.E.M.
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| Abstract |
Helminth infections continue to cause major economic losses and represent a persistent zoonotic threat in tropical and subtropical regions. In Saudi Arabia, diverse ecological conditions, transboundary livestock movement, and traditional grazing systems facilitate the persistence of a wide variety of helminth parasites. However, information on their diversity and distribution remains fragmented across decades of localized studies. This present review synthesizes published data on helminths infecting humans and ruminant livestock in Saudi Arabia between 1985 and 2025. Literature retrieved from peer-reviewed journals and national reports was examined to determine parasite species, infection sites, host range, and geographical distribution. Taxonomic nomenclature was updated according to current classifications, and finding were organized into five host-specific tables. More than forty helminth taxa were identified, encompassing nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. Nematodes were the most prevalent, particularly Haemonchus contortus, H. longistipes, Trichuris spp., and Nematodirus spp., mainly affecting sheep, goats, and camels. Cestodes such as Moniezia expansa and larval stages of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Taenia saginata were widely reported in livestock, whereas Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium dendriticum occurred predominantly in humid, irrigated zones. Human infections have declined substantially but persist in localized foci, particularly for soil-transmitted nematodes and zoonotic species. Camels exhibited the richest helminth fauna, and several parasite species were shared among livestock, wildlife, and humans, confirming cross-species transmission. Overall, helminthiasis in Saudi Arabia remains a significant veterinary and public health concern, highlighting the need for coordinated surveillance, improved diagnostics, and evidence-based control strategies to support sustainable livestock production and public health. |
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