Cross-sectional Prevalence of Helminth Infections in Cattle on Traditional, Small-scale and Large-scale Dairy Farms in Iringa District, Tanzania

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and flukes (Fasciola and amphistomes) infection in communally grazed traditional cattle, zero-grazed small-scale dairy cattle and intensively grazed large-scale dairy cattle through examination of helminth eggs in faeces. Results indicated that the type of management, especially the grazing habit, has a significant influence on the prevalence and intensity of GI nematodes and flukes. The prevalence of GI nematodes in traditional, large-scale dairy and small-scale dairy cattle was 67%, 44.4% and 37%, respectively, with the highest faecal egg counts in calves. The overall prevalence of Fasciola gigantica in traditional, large-scale dairy and small-scale dairy cattle was 63.8%, 46.2% and 28.4%, respectively. The prevalence of amphistomes was 81.9%, 55.5% and 41.1% in traditional, large-scale dairy and small-scale dairy cattle, respectively. The high prevalence of flukes in the traditional system was attributed to communal grazing and watering management practices. Stomach flukes recovered in examined cattle at the abattoir were Calicophoron microbothrium and Cotylophoron jacksoni. About 42.1% of infected animals had both Fasciola and amphistomes. The prevalence of both GI nematodes and flukes varied greatly among villages and farms. The prevalence of both Fasciola and amphistomes was higher in adults (58.5%, 75.2%) than in yearlings (36.5%, 51.5%) or calves (24.9%, 47.2%). The variation in the prevalence of both GI nematodes and flukes among management and age groups within systems can be used as an entry point towards rational use of anthelmintics for each management system. More studies on seasonal transmission pattern of all these parasites are required in order to design rational, economic and locally sustainable parasite control programmes.

Study on the Prevalence of GIT Nematodes on Bovine in and aroundKombolcha and Dessie Town, North Eastern, Ethiopia

“…Accordingly higher prevalence was recorded in females (47.5%) than in males (35.3%) which may be due to differences in exposure to infection as a result of the variation in stocking density (sex ratio), the present study agrees the previous reports of Degefu et al [19] but contradict the result of Keyyu et al and Pfukenyi et al [11,12].…”

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites and identification of major nematodes of cattle in and around Bishoftu, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

“…This finding agrees with the reports of Keyyu et al (2006) and Kabaka et al (2013). This might be due to the fact that extensively managed cattle have more access to contaminated pasture.…”

Türkiye’de Güney Marmara Bölgesindeki Sığırlarda Trichostrongylosis: Dışkı Yumurta Sayısı İle İlişkili Olarak Değişik Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi

“…Our findings that animals under semi-extensive system had more egg counts than those kept under intensive management system agree with that of Keyyu et al 22 who reported that management practices especially grazing habitat has a significant influence on faecal egg counts in cattle infected with gastro intestinal nematodes. On the other hand, the number of trichostrongyle eggs in our study was lower in governmental farms than that of small-scale private farms.…”