Prevalence of common gastro-intestinal nematode infections in commercial goat farms in Central Uganda

Abstract

Gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) infections are the leading cause of production losses in commercial goat farms worldwide. This study determined the level of gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) infection and identified the common GIN parasites in commercial goat production in Central Uganda. Faecal egg counts and morphological larval identification in coprocultures were used to estimate the burden of common GIN of goats in Central Uganda. Egg shedding was detected in 43% of the goats. Worm burdens were highest (498 -713 epg) in goats 3-5 and 8-9 months old. Goats of 6-8 and older than 9 months showed relatively lower egg counts (254-491epg). Haemonchus (56%), Oesophagostomum (33%) and strongyloides species (11%) were the only nematode species identified on coprocultures.

Prevalence of Haemonchus contortus Infections in Sheep and Goats in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

“…infection in goats (71.3%) than sheep (67.57%) was reported [ 29 ]. Studies in neighbouring Uganda have reported the prevalence of goats shedding nematode eggs at 53.7% [ 10 ] which is lower than that reported in this study. This may be explained by the differences in management practices such as stocking density and ecoclimatic factors.…”

“…Furthermore, they lead to forced culling, carcass, and organ condemnations [ 9 ], increased cost of veterinary treatments, decreased weight gain, reduced milk production and reproductive capacity, decreased work capacity, diminished food intake, reduced animal growth rates, and lower weight gains and treatment and management costs [ 8 – 12 ]. Among these gastrointestinal helminths, nematodes are the leading cause of ill-health and production losses in sheep and goats worldwide [ 7 , 10 , 13 ]. It would appear that a number of reports point to Trichostrongylid nematodes, especially Haemonchus.…”

“…It would appear that a number of reports point to Trichostrongylid nematodes, especially Haemonchus. contortus ( H. contortus ) (also known as the barber's pole worm) as the most prevalent parasite identified in small ruminants [ 8 , 10 , 11 ]. According to some reports, Haemonchus contortus is the most important gastrointestinal parasite in sheep [ 5 , 14 ].…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasite Infection in Goats in Sironko District, Eastern Uganda

“…In Uganda, studies that have attempted to investigate the epidemiology of gastro intestinal parasitic infections (GIP) in small ruminants have largely concentrated on nematodes, though, grazing goat are invariably infected with several of gastrointestinal parasites. For instance, Nsereko et al (2015) researched about nematodes and reported prevalence of 43% in goats while Magona and Musisi (2002) focused on strongyloidosis and revealed a significantly high prevalence of 73.3%. These findings have not been explicit and provide limited information on the situation of gastrointestinal parasites infections in small ruminants, particularly the magnitude and extent of infection rate.…”

Between-breed variations in resistance/resilience to gastrointestinal nematodes among indigenous goat breeds in Uganda

“…Helminthosis (diseases including those caused by nematode parasites) is the most important livestock disease in most tropical countries (Khan et al 2010 ; Lapenga et al 2009 ; Perry et al 2002 ; Vatta and Lindberg 2006 ). The most prevalent of GINs in Uganda is H. contortus (Nsereko et al 2015 ). GIN particularly H. contortus has a high fecundity and is a debilitating blood-sucking parasite in the abomasum causing significant production losses through severe chronic anemia, anorexia, loss of condition, and eventual death of the affected animals (Notter et al 2003 ).…”