Helminths and Protozoa of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Ruminants in Tanzania

Abstract

Article HistoryTanzania has one of the largest populations of domestic ruminants in Africa. Their performance is less than their potential. Health, particularly disease due to gastrointestinal parasites, is a major constraint to improved productivity. Internal parasites also affect the country's very diverse and huge array of wild ruminants. This review is based on a thorough search of the formal and informal literature pertaining to gastrointestinal parasites of ruminants in Tanzania. The occurrence and geographical distribution of helminth (nematodes, trematodes and cestodes) and protozoan parasites are presented. Cattle, goat and sheep nematodirus (roundworm) infection usually comprises mixed infections of several taxa of which 13 species in nine genera have been recorded. A total of seven species of trematodes (flukes) in six genera have been found. Some six species of cestodes (flatworms) have been recorded, three being in the genus Taenia. The most prevalent species of protozoan parasites, of which seven have been identified in cattle and 18 in sheep and goats, belong to the genus Eimeria: four other species of protozoan parasites are also recorded. A general overview of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites is provided and the main methods of control are discussed.Contribution/Originality: Domestic ruminants are an important part of the Tanzania economy. They contribute to food security, biodiversity, household income and human welfare. This paper reviews with the aid of 74 published references the status and distribution of the main internal parasites of domestic ruminants in Tanzania.

Ecology and Management of the African Buffalo

“…Yet, these areas also may harbour internal parasites, such as giant fluke (Fasciola gigantea) and the small fluke (Dicrocoelium hospes), and many other Platyhelminthes and Trematodes that can make cattle very sick if they are not properly treated (e.g. Swai and Wilson, 2017). How do buffalo contend with liver flukes?…”

Management factors associated with the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle: A case study of small-scale farms of the Nyamagana District in Mwanza, Tanzania

“…Although Tanzania has the second-largest cattle population in Africa, the contribution of the livestock to the national GDP is still low, accounting for only 7.1% of the country's GDP (United Republic of Tanzania, 2021). The availability of animal health services remains one of the main challenges to livestock production in Tanzania, in addition to feed and genetic potential (Keyyu et al, 2006;Swai et al, 2017). Diseases and parasites constitute a significant threat to livestock, causing sickness and, as a result, decreased output, and growth (Coop et al, 2002;Perri et al, 2011;Swai et al, 2017).…”

“…The availability of animal health services remains one of the main challenges to livestock production in Tanzania, in addition to feed and genetic potential (Keyyu et al, 2006;Swai et al, 2017). Diseases and parasites constitute a significant threat to livestock, causing sickness and, as a result, decreased output, and growth (Coop et al, 2002;Perri et al, 2011;Swai et al, 2017). Gastrointestinal parasites, such as trematodes, nematodes, and cestodes, as well as protozoans, are common cattle parasites in Tanzania (Keyyu et al, 2003;Nzalawahe et al, 2014;Swai et al, 2017).…”

“…Diseases and parasites constitute a significant threat to livestock, causing sickness and, as a result, decreased output, and growth (Coop et al, 2002;Perri et al, 2011;Swai et al, 2017). Gastrointestinal parasites, such as trematodes, nematodes, and cestodes, as well as protozoans, are common cattle parasites in Tanzania (Keyyu et al, 2003;Nzalawahe et al, 2014;Swai et al, 2017). The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites varies depending on different factors such as geographical location, climate, management practises, and production systems (Sun et al, 2018;Swai et al, 2006;Thanasuwan et al, 2021).…”

Nematicidal activity of aqueous tinctures of plants against larvae of the nematode Strongyloides papillosus

“…Among ruminant nematodiases, gastrointestinal helminthiases are quite frequent (MatYusof et al, 2016;Rupa & Portugaliza, 2016;Zvinorova et al, 2016;Chaudhary et al, 2017;de Almeida et al, 2018;Gupta et al, 2019;Lambacher et al, 2019;Puspitasari et al, 2019). Losses from these diseases may be inflicted not only by the death of animals, but also by decrease in the amount of dairy or meat products and reduction of their quality (Moreno & Lanusse, 2017;Swai & Wilson, 2017;Bellet et al, 2018;Fthenakis & Papadopoulos, 2018;Rashid et al, 2018). Economic losses also occur due to the costs associated with use of synthetic anthelmintic preparations.…”