Epidemiology of Bovine Fascioliasis: Assessing Prevalence and Investigating Hemato-Biochemical Alterations in Katsinaabattoir North Western Nigeria

Abstract

Bovine fascioliasis, caused by liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, significantly impacts global cattle health and production. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of bovine fascioliasis and its associated hematobiochemical changes on cattles brought for slaughter at Katsina central abattoir. Fecal and blood samples were collected from total of 134 cattles. Fecal samples were examined using sedimentation technique, revealing an infection prevalence of 3.73%. Notably, females exhibited a higher prevalence (4.55%) compared to males (2.17%), though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The age group 2–3 years showed the highest prevalence (25.00%), while those aged 5 and above had the lowest prevalence (1.74%). Among cattle breeds, Wadara had the highest prevalence (20.00%), while White Fulani exhibited the least (4.93%). Concerning body condition score (BCS), medium-conditioned cattle had the highest prevalence (6.67%), and good-conditioned ones showed the least (1.37%). Hematological analysis of Fasciola-infected cattle revealed significant reductions (P > 0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and total erythrocyte count (RBC) compared to the non-infected ones. Additionally, infected cattle demonstrated a significant decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count, mean cellular volume (MCV), and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) compared to the uninfected. Moreover, differential leukocyte counts indicated a notable increase in neutrophils and a decrease in eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils in infected cattle compared to the uninfected, although the difference is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Biochemical analysis unveiled significantly elevated levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), along with increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TB) in infected cattle (P < 0.05). Conversely, albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), and conjugated bilirubin (CB) levels were significantly reduced among infected than uninfected cattle (P < 0.05). Our findings, further confirmed that Bovine fascioliasis has significant impact on the health and productivity of Cattle bred in Katsina state and elsewhere. Understanding its prevalence and associated heamato-biochemical changes among infected animals is essential for implementing effective control and management strategies.