Equines play a significant role in the economy of the country. Besides their importance, equines face several challenges mainly helminth infections. Of these strongyle parasites are the most common, particularly in the study area. Thus, a cross‐sectional study was conducted from February 2022 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors and to identify the genera of equine strongyle parasites in and around Bishoftu. A total of 364 equines were randomly selected from five different areas and subjected to coprological examination using the floatation technique to detect strongyle‐type eggs. A pooled faecal sample was cultured and subjected to modified Baerman techniques to identify the genus of strongyles. The overall prevalence of strongyle parasites was found to be 56.6% with an occurrence rate of 54.7% in horses and (65.2%) in donkeys. According to the present study, the two important genera identified were Strongylus and Cyathostomum. A higher prevalence of strongyle parasites was recorded in poor body condition (64%), adult (59.3%), female (70.7), and Kality (22%). Among the potential risk factors analyzed, the body condition score of the equines was significantly associated with strongyle infection (χ² = 76.536 and p ≤ 0.001), while sex, species, age, and origins were not significantly associated with the prevalence of infection (χ² = 2.644 and p = 0.266), (χ² = 2.404 and p = 0.121), (χ² = 0.609 and p = 0.435), and (χ² = 3.205 and p = 0.524), respectively. In conclusion, strongyle parasites pose a major health problem for equines in the study area. They should focus on improving housing, increasing welfare awareness, implementing seasonal deworming, and enhancing the feeding practices of equines.

Among the several leech saliva extracts, around 20 bioactive molecules are widely known and identified with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic importance. Some of are Hirudin, Calin, Destabilase, Hyaluronidase, Apyrase, Hirustatin, Saratin, and Eglin. Thus, this review provides valuable insights into the most commonly known bioactive molecules in leech saliva, their putative medical importance, current status, and potential implication for future medical use. The practice of using leech in medical treatment, called hirudotherapy, has been in use for several centuries and can be drawn back to ancient Egyptians. They used it to treat various diseases like skin diseases, inflammation, and dental problems. Nowadays, these invaluable bioactive molecules of leeches have been utilized in modern medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris, tinnitus, phlebitis, gout, ischemic heart disease, asthma, cancer, hypertension, and migraines. Additionally, it is very effective in the treatment of mastitis, diabetic foot ulcers, cutaneous leishmaniosis, alopecia, and digital gangrene. The contribution of leeches in cosmetic and plastic surgery is also gaining popularity. At present time, the world’s most advanced nations with the most sophisticated in medical science have become practitioners. Despite its long history of medical application, there is still much to discover about the specific substance responsible for the valuable effects of leech saliva. Therefore, leech saliva holds enormous promise, and continued research will unlock its full potential.

Platyhelminthes are a significant cause of organ condemnation across the globe, particularly in Ethiopia. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2024 to identify the Platyhelminthes responsible for organ condemnation and estimate its economic impact in cattle slaughtered at the Nekemte municipal abattoir. Standard ante-mortem and postmortem inspection procedures were employed. A total of 422 cattle were included in the study through systematic random sampling. Among the 422 slaughtered cattle, 59 (14%) exhibited clinical signs in ante-mortem examination, including rough hair coat (3.3%), lameness (2.6%), coughing (2.4%), tick infestation (1.9%), depression (1.7%), branding (1.2%), and blindness (0.9%). Postmortem examinations revealed that 132 (31.2%) cattle were infected by Platyhelminthes parasites. Due to these helminths 92 (21.9%) livers, 52 (12.3%) lungs, and 13 (3.1%) hearts were condemned. The major Platyhelminthes identified were Fasciola spp., hydatid cysts, Cysticercus bovis, and combined infections of Fasciola and hydatid cysts, with prevalence’s of 15.9%, 6.4%, 3.1%, and 5.9%, respectively. A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found in the prevalence of these major Platyhelminthes based on age and body condition. However, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the sex and origin. The total annual economic loss due to organ condemnation in the study area amounted to 612,470.00 ETB. This study highlights a relatively high prevalence of organ condemnation due to Platyhelminthes infections. Thus, awareness should be raised among cattle owners and abattoir workers regarding the impact of parasites and the importance of safe disposal practices of condemned organs.

Cestode and trematode infections are among the major parasitic diseases limiting sheep production in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. However, there is limited information on their combined epidemiology, economic impact, and control practices in the study area. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to September 2025 to investigate the epidemiology, economic impact, and control strategies of cestode and trematode infections in sheep in Gondar, the Central Gondar zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 384 sheep were examined for cestode and trematode infections using flotation, sedimentation, and the McMaster method for egg count determination. In addition, a questionnaire survey was administered to 150 sheep owners to assess economic impact and parasite control practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) used to determine associations between risk factors and infection. The overall prevalence of cestode and trematode infections was 50.0% (95% CI: 45.0–55.0). Trematodes were more prevalent than cestodes, with Fasciola spp. (25.0%) being the most dominant parasite, followed by Paramphistomum spp. (14.06%), Schistosoma spp. (3.65%), and Moniezia spp. (7.29%). Logistic regression analysis showed that adult sheep (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.15–2.75), poor body condition (AOR = 3.50, 95% CI: 2.00–6.10), and extensive management systems (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.80–4.70) were significantly associated with infection (p < 0.05). The estimated total economic loss was 385,750 ETB, mainly due to mortality and reduced body weight. Although 73.3% of farmers were aware of parasitic infections, only 26.7% practiced regular deworming. In conclusion, cestode and trematode infections are highly prevalent and economically important in sheep production in the study area.