The present paper reports a study on the in vivo diagnosis and egg excretion rhythm of the pinworm Passalurus ambiguus in domesticated rabbits. Three copromicroscopic techniques were compared: the cellophane tape test, the McMaster technique, and the FLOTAC technique. Out of the 51 New Zealand White rabbit does examined, 42 (82.3%) resulted positive when examined with the FLOTAC technique, 39 (76.5%) with the cellophane tape test, and 29 (56.9%) with the McMaster technique. The agreement between the FLOTAC technique and the cellophane tape test was almost perfect (greater than 0.8); only moderate were the agreements (0.4) between the FLOTAC and the McMaster techniques and between the McMaster technique and the cellophane tape test. The results showed that the FLOTAC technique can be used for the quali-quantitative coprological diagnosis of P. ambiguus in rabbits due to its great sensitivity, as already shown for parasites of other animal species. The circadian rhythm of egg excretion by P. ambiguus was studied utilizing 42 individually caged rabbit does; fecal samples were collected from each cage every 6 h, i.e., at 6:00-12:00 hours, 12:00-18:00 hours, 18:00-24:00 hours, and 24:00-6:00 hours, and were analyzed by the FLOTAC technique. A circadian rhythm of P. ambiguus egg excretion was found, with significant lower values at 6:00-12:00 hours. In conclusion, the present study showed that the FLOTAC technique is the best copromicroscopic method for assessing P. ambiguus prevalence and intensity in rabbits and that the afternoon and evening hours are the best times for fecal sampling to perform the pinworm diagnosis.
ABSTRACT:In the remote mountain districts of far west Nepal, an unidentified chronic debilitating disease has been recorded primarily in adult buffalo population since last 10-15 years. The disease locally known as "Khari disease" is characterized by weak, thin and porous hooves with chalky dust powder formation associated with general weakness, anorexia, dry and scaly skin with white patches, fatigue of brachial and major skeletal muscle. The symptoms are mostly evident in the lactating buffaloes particularly during dry winter months. The other symptoms are pruritus, emaciation, low production and dermal lesion above the hoof. The disease is recorded more in stall fed animal, which becomes lame and unable to walk. Although, accurate prevalence figures are unavailable, about 4-5% of the adult buffalo population is regarded to be affected with annual mortality of about 2% in clinically affected animals. Some therapeutic attempts with ivermectin injection and mineral supplementation have shown only temporary relief. This disease has seriously affected the livelihoods of farm families dependent heavily upon buffaloes. The disease has not been investigated properly so far, due to funding constraints, poor technical expertise, remoteness, inaccessibility and conflict situation and is in need of technical and financial support from the international community.Key words: Buffalo, Chronic debilitation, Khari disease, Nepal.INTRODUCTION -Livestock rearing is an important and integral component of mixed farming system in Nepal. Ruminant farm livestock species comprise of buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep, of which buffaloes are the most important farm animal species contributing about 52% of livestock gross domestic production (APP, 1995) and provides about 70% milk and 65% meat production in the country. In the hills, about 58% 0f household keep buffaloes. Nepalese economy is primarily an agrarian economy with more than two third of country's population being dependent upon mixed agriculture for their livelihoods, and this dependency is even higher in rural areas. Buffaloes are the most important farm livestock species providing milk, meat, manure and farm power and an important source of cash income from the sale of milk and churned butter (ghee). These animals are reared along with other farm livestock species and are managed upon the crop residues and other farm produce. Thus, a complex and integrated farming system has evolved over the centuries, where the small holder crop livestock production system is interdependent upon each other and nothing is wasted in the system. In this complex farming system, buffaloes are the most preferred animal species due to their multi purpose use and high salvage value and are reared with highest possible care.
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