Gastrointestinal parasites of working donkeys of Ethiopia

Abstract

The general prevalence and population composition of gastrointestinal and pulmonary helminths of working donkeys were studied. For the purpose 2935 working donkeys were coprologically examined for nematode and cestode, and 215 donkeys for trematode infections. Seven donkeys that died due to various health problems or were euthanased on a welfare ground were necropsied and the parasites were recovered and identified to the species level. The study was conducted during the periods 1996-1999.Coprological examination revealed 99% strongyle, 80% Fasciola, 51% Parascaris, 30% Gastrodiscus, 11% Strongyloides westeri, 8% cestodes and 2% Oxyuris equi infection prevalence. Over 55% of donkeys had more than 1000 eggs per gram of faeces (epg). Forty two different species of parasites consisting of 33 nematodes, 3 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 3 arthropod larvae were identified from postmortem examined donkeys. Among the nematodes 17 species of Cyathostominae and 7 species of Strongylinae were identified. Other parasites identified include, Habronema muscae, Draschia megastoma, Trichostrongylus axei, Strongyloides westeri, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, Anoplocephaloides (Paranoplocephala) mamillana, Parascaris equorum, Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Oxyuris equi, Probstmayria vivipara, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gasterophilus nasalis, Rhinoestrus uzbekistanicus and Setaria equina. This study revealed that working donkeys in Ethiopia are infected with a range of helminths and arthropod larvae, which are representatives of the important pathogenic parasites found in equids worldwide.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses and Donkeys in and around Gondar Town, Ethiopia

“…This is in agreement with the work of Ayele et al [23], who reported 3% and Getachew et al [27] who reported 2% in donkeys. Study conducted in Western highlands of Oromia, Ethiopia indicated 2.1% prevalence of Oxyuris equi in horses [11].…”

“…The prevalence of Strongyles infestation was 87.81% in donkeys. Similar studies conducted in different parts Ethiopia indicated higher prevalence than the current study with an overall prevalence of 99%, 100%, 100%, 98.2% and 100% in Ada, Akaki Boset [27], Dugda Bora distinct [23], highlands of Wollo province [22], Western highlands of Oromia [11] and Wonchi [21], respectively.…”

Ocurrencia de miasis cavitaria equina (Gasterophilus Spp) y su relación con las úlceras gástricas secundarias en la mucosa escamosa en Temuco, Chile

“…Las moscas del género Gasterophilus, comprenden ocho especies en todo el mundo 35 , con reportes de prevalencias que varían entre el 3 y 94% 19,24,36 , sin embargo, las especies de Gasterophilus tienen diferente distribución en el mundo aunque solamente Gasterophilus intestinalis y Gasterophilus nasalis presentan distribución mundial 21,23,38,46 , es así como, sólo dos de estas especies (G. nasalis y G. intestinalis) han sido las reportadas en Argentina 11 y Chile 44 .…”

Control of Strongyloides westeri by nematophagous fungi after passage through the gastrointestinal tract of donkeys

“…Getachew et al (2010) reported that many helminth species are found in these animals and cause direct damage to their health. Nevertheless, there are insufficient studies with data on strategic control of gastrointestinal helminthic parasites that affect this equine species (MATTHEE et al, 2002;VENEZIANO et al, 2011 infection between the ages of 15 and 23 weeks (SOULSBY, 1982), animals older than six months may still acquire the infection, such that 30% of them are infected (WELLS et al, 1998).…”

“…Getachew et al (2010) reported that many helminth species are found in these animals and cause direct damage to their health. Nevertheless, there are insufficient studies with data on strategic control of gastrointestinal helminthic parasites that affect this equine species (MATTHEE et al, 2002;VENEZIANO et al, 2011).…”