Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitism Infections in Cattle of Bass Kabylie Area: Case of Bejaia Province, Algeria

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of trade cattle in Aguata and Orumba South Local Government Areas, Southeastern Nigeria

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of trade cattle were investigated in Aguata and Orumba South Local Government Areas (LGA), Southeastern Nigeria. Between February and May, 2017, 210 cattle were randomly sampled in Aguata (140) and Orumba South (70) LGAs. Characteristics of each trade cattle such as sex, breed and body condition scores were noted. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from the selected animals and were subjected to floatation and sedimentation techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites was 57.6% (95% CI = 0.509-0.643). Of the 140 cattle screened at Aguata LGA, 74 (52.9%; 95% CI = 0.446-0.609) were positive for gastrointestinal helminth ova while 47 (67.1%; 95% CI = 0.555-0.77) were positive out of the 70 cattle screened at Orumba South LGA. A variety of gastrointestinal helminth ova were detected including strongyle, strongyloid, Toxocara, Fasciola, Schistosoma, Moniezia and Paramphistomum ova. Four helminth ova detected in the study area were zoonotic. Strongyle eggs were the most prevalent eggs detected in single infections followed by Fasciola eggs. Mixed infections were more common than single infection. Body condition score was significantly associated (p < 0.0001) with the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of cattle in the study area while sex and breed were not. It was therefore concluded that trade cattle in Aguata and Orumba South LGAs, Southeastern Nigeria were affected by variety of gastrointestinal helminth parasites including zoonotic helminthes. Thus, routine anthelmintic treatment, good management practices and public enlightenment on the zoonotic importance of helminth parasites is highly essential.

Helminth infections of great concern among cattle in Nigeria: Insight to its prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors

Background and Aim

Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods

A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique.

Results

A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus (60.46%), Trichostrongylus spp. (46.44%), Ostertagia ostertagi (42.05%), Bunostomum phlebotomum (28.87%), Cooperia spp. (24.27%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (21.97%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.13%), and Fasciola gigantica (10.67%) been the most prevalent. Helminth infection was detected all through the year with the least prevalence recorded in February (55.00%). About 61% of the examined cattle harbored double/multiple helminth species. There was a significant difference between breed, sex, physiological status, and season with the prevalence rate of helminth infections (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Our investigation demonstrated high prevalence and wide diversity of helminth species, which suggests that helminth infections are of great concern among cattle in Ilorin and Nigeria in general. There is a need for a radical veterinary intervention to curb the menace so as to have an economically robust cattle industry in Nigeria.