Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematodes, Cestodes, and Protozoans of Goats in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

Introduction

Goat farming significantly contributes to the efficient use of land and socioeconomic development in developed and developing countries. During the fiscal year 2017-2018, goats made up 13.5% of the total live livestock exported by Rwanda. Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) can negatively impact goat production, especially in developing countries like Rwanda. This study aimed to determine the impact of the goat' age and location (administrative cell) on the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes, and protozoans (GiNCPs) of goats in Nyagatare district, Rwanda.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 149 faecal samples were collected from apparently unwell goats and analyzed using the simple flotation technique. Strongyle-type nematodes (STNs) infections were graded using the McMaster method. Pearson chi-square tests of independence were calculated to assess the impact of the goat' age and location on the prevalence of GiNCPs in the study area.

Results

All the goats (100%) were infected with GiNCPs. The identified types of parasites were STNs (96.0%), Coccidia (83.2%), Moniezia spp (14.8%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.8%), Nematodirus spp (0.7%) and Trichuris ovis (0.7%). Nearly 85.9% (128/149) of the goats were coinfected with 2 to 4 types of parasites and the coinfection of STNs and coccidia preponderated at 58.4%. The location (administrative cell) of the goats correlated with the prevalence of monieziasis (p<0.05). The goat's age category was also associated with the prevalence of strongyloidiasis (p<0.05).

Conclusion

All the goats (100%) were infected with GiNCPs. The location (administrative cell) of the goat also correlated with the prevalence of monieziasis. In addition, the goat's age category was associated with the prevalence of strongyloidiasis. These findings show that any control program for caprine gastrointestinal parasitoses in the study area should focus on STNs and Coccidia.

Changes in the Serum Protein Fractions in Goats after Treatment of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in small ruminants belong to major health problems. The regulation of gastrointestinal infections in goats and the responses developed against them appear to be different from those observed in sheep. In the literature, there is a lack of data on the effect of gastrointestinal parasitic infections on the serum protein profile in goats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal parasites and to compare the changes in the total serum proteins and serum protein fractions (albumin and α₁-, α₂-, β-, and γ-globulins) obtained after antihelminthic treatment. Eight adult female goats of the white shorthaired breed from a small dairy goat farm at the age ranging between 3 and 5 years with average body weight 35.4 ± 3.2 kg and body condition score (BCS) from 1.5 to 2.5 were used in the study. The serum proteins in goats were separated into five fractions: albumin, α₁- and α₂-globulins, and β- and γ-globulins. Significant changes after treatment were found in the relative concentrations of albumin (P < 0.01) and α₂- (P < 0.05), β- (P < 0.001), and γ-globulins (P < 0.01), as well as albumin/globulin ratio (P < 0.01). The mean concentration of total serum proteins was, after the antiparasitic treatment, significantly higher. Among the globulin fractions, the γ-globulin fraction contributed most significantly to these changes (P < 0.001). The results presented in the study suggest a significant effect of antiparasitic treatment in goats on the synthesis of blood serum proteins and on the changes of the proportion of serum protein fractions.

A Comparison of the Prevalence of the Parasites of the Digestive Tract in Goats from Organic and Conventional Farms

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats kept on organic (n = 76) and conventional farms (n = 82). In general, a higher prevalence of some gastrointestinal parasitic infections was found in the conventional farms compared to the organic farms: the mean prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 85.4% in conventional farms and 77.6% in organic farms, that of Fasciola hepatica was 6.10% in conventional farms and 2.63% in organic farms, and that of Moniezia expansa was 31.7% and 17.1%, in conventional and organic farms, respectively. Both farm types demonstrated a similar mean prevalence of nematodes (80.3 vs. 84.2%). Conventional farms demonstrated a significantly higher intensity of infection with E. arloingi, Haemonchus spp., Nematodirus spp. and Moniezia expansa compared to organic farms. They also demonstrated a higher intensity of infection with Eimeria spp. than organic farms. The prophylactic programs used to combat parasitic infections in both types of farms appear ineffective and require improvement. There is a need for goat herds to be covered by ongoing parasitological monitoring. It is also recommended that keepers employ rotational or intensive rotational grazing methods and take care to ensure the hygiene of animal quarters and livestock rooms.

Welfare of Native Goat Breeds in Serbia-Emphasis on Parasitological Infections

Native goat breeds in Serbia has been recognized as an important element of regional agrobiodiversity and play an important role in the safeguarding of cultural and traditional heritage. The aim of this study was to identify the main welfare issues likely to be encountered in extensive goat farming systems with an emphasis on parasitological infections. The study was conducted during the winter season on four small farms of native Balkan and Serbian white goats. For welfare assessment, animal-based indicators from AWIN protocol for goats were used. All fecal samples for parasites were qualitatively and quantitatively examined. The main welfare issues identified were poor hair coat condition (62.79%), dirty and light soiling hindquarters (31.40%), thin body condition score (26.74%), abscesses (19.78%), and udder asymmetry (18.60%). In addition, an important and prevalent welfare problem identified across all farms was parasite infection and weak significant (p < 0.001) correlation between certain parasites (Strongylidae, Moniezia spp., Buxtonella sulcate, and Protostrongylidae) and welfare indicators such as poor hair coat condition and nasal discharge. The results of this study provided the first overview and valuable insight into the impact of extensive systems on the welfare of native goats in the Balcan region.

Epidemiological study of goat's gastrointestinal nematodes in the North West of Algeria

An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal nematodes was carried out in naturally infected goats in the North West of Algeria. Coprological analyses were performed for 2 years from January 2014 to December 2015.Examination of 1591 goat samples revealed an overall prevalence of parasite eggs in feces of 96%; the values were very similar in both years at 97% in 2014 and 94.96% in 2015. Five types of nematode eggs were identified: strongyle (95.5%), Nematodirus spp. (19.4%), Marshallagia spp. (3.9%), Trichuris spp. (0.6%), and Skrjabinema spp. (2%).Also, fecal cultures showed the presence of Teladorsagia spp. (56%), Trichostrongylus spp. (20%), Chabertia spp. (10%), Haemonchus spp. (9%), and Oesophagostomum spp. (5%).Season, age, type of grazing, and area affected the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. The season did not influence the prevalence observed in the 2 years, since no significant differences between the four seasons were observed. On the other hand, egg production was highest in winter and spring. The level of infection decreased with the animal's age. There were no significant differences between the prevalence in animals on irrigated and non-irrigated pastures, but there were differences in egg excretion. Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the coastal (Oran) and lowland (Mascara) regions in the prevalence or in average egg excretion.

A survey of gastrointestinal parasites of goats in a goat market in Kathmandu, Nepal

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in goats are predominant around the world. They may be the underlying cause of the pathological and immunological consequences leading to significant economic losses of the goat industry. The main aim of the current research was to reveal the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoa, trematodes, and nematodes in the fecal samples of goats in the goat market in Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 400 goat fecal specimens were purposively collected from the goat market, and they were processed by direct wet mount, sedimentation, floatation techniques, and acid-fast staining, and were observed under the compound microscope. Out of a total 400 fecal samples, 349 (87.25%) were found to be infected with GI parasites among which Eimeria (80.75%), Strongyle (59.25%), Trichuris (29.75%), Strongyloides (28.75%), Moniezia (21.75%), Entamoeba (20%), Fasciola (10.25%), Balantidium (7.75%), Cryptosporidium (4%), Capillaria (1.75%), Trichomonas (1.25%), Ascaris (1.0%), Cyclospora (1%), Blastocystis (0.75%), Giardia (0.5%), and Paramphistomum (0.5%) were reported. GI parasites like protozoa and helminthes were widely distributed in the goats brought for the meat purposes in Kathmandu Valley, showing a high proportion of the goats were having higher risks of morbidity and mortality around the country.

Anthelmintic resistance in goat herds-In vivo versus in vitro detection methods

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is a serious threat to animal health and has a major economic impact worldwide due to production and financial losses. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of AR on 30 goat farms in Slovakia during the pasturing seasons and to compare three widely used in vitro and in vivo methods for detecting AR in field conditions. A three-year survey was conducted during the pasturing seasons of 2014-2016. Goats on each farm were split into treated and control groups and were treated by recommended (5 mg/kg body weight) and double doses (10 mg/kg b.w.) of albendazole. Comparisons between percent reduction in a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and an egg hatch test (EHT) and the presence of L₃ larvae in a larval development test (LDT) using resistant concentrations of benzimidazole (BZ) were monitored after treatment. The FECRT indicated percent reductions of 69.2-86.2% for the single dose and of 36.3-45.4% for the double dose. The EHT indicated that all farms had BZ-resistant nematodes. Low (<15% hatching) and high (>15% hatching) levels of resistance were detected on 13 and 17 farms, respectively. The LDT failed to detect resistant larvae on seven farms but detected low and high levels of resistance on seven and 14 farms, respectively. The data indicate a moderate correlation between in vitro and in vivo tests for detecting BZ resistance among the 30 goat farms. The hatching detected by the EHT and the presence of L₃ larvae by the LDT at resistant BZ concentrations provided reasonable identification of low levels of resistance in the parasite populations, but the use of a double dose for a treatment may underestimate the real occurrence of low levels of resistant parasites on goat farms.