Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections and Assessment of Deworming Program among Cattle and Buffaloes in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infection is a serious issue in cattle management. The effects of GI parasites may vary with age, sex of cattle, nutritional condition, and severity of infection. Prevalence of GI parasites among cattle population in Gampaha District has not been studied and there is no published study available. A total of 45 farms rearing cattle were selected randomly in three areas, namely, Kelaniya, Ganemulla, and Welisara, under three Veterinary Surgeon Divisions (VSD) in Gampaha District (Mahara, Gampaha, and Welisara). Freshly voided cattle fecal samples were collected randomly from the selected farms during March 2017–December 2017. Out of 163 cattle and buffaloes examined, 13.39% (n=22) were positive for eggs of one or more species of GI parasites. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in buffaloes (31.25%, 5/16) as compared to that of cows (11.56%, 21/147), but the difference was not significant (P >0.05). Hookworms (Bunostomum spp.), whipworms (Trichuris spp.), digenetic trematodes (Paramphistomum spp.), cestodes (Moniezia spp.), and oocysts of protozoans (coccidians) were found during the study. The nontreated animals indicated the highest percentage of parasitic infections accounting for 46.67% (n= 14), followed by partially treated individuals (15.15%, n= 5). GI parasite prevalence in males was higher when compared to that of females, but the difference was nonsignificant (P >0.05). General Linear Modelling (GLM) revealed that the effect of treatment status was significantly associated with the prevalence of GI parasites. The calves and yearlings had the highest rate of GI parasitic infections. The highest infection rate was observed at Kelaniya, followed by Welisara. Future investigations are necessary to evaluate the economic impact of GI parasites in the study areas.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle and sheep in two regions of Romania

“…It is not surprising that the prevalence of Strongylid infection was significantly higher in cattle older than 8 years comparing with the other two tested age groups. In this regard, the repetitive and longer exposure of older cattle to the infective stages of the Strongylid nematodes, beside the different immunological status of the tested age groups can support these findings [3]. In agreement with our findings, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) value of Strongylid infections were reported in the Ethiopian cattle older than 7 years by Telila et al [19], comparing with cattle younger than 2 years.…”

“…and Strongylid nematodes) with different prevalence values (Table) were identified. Comparing with the results of several other studies conducted in different countries, our overall GIT parasites prevalence value (86.1%) was higher than that recorded in Sri Lanka (11.6% [3]), Ethiopia (61%; [15]), India (67.2%; [16]), and Colombia (50.5%, [17]); close to the one found in Nigeria (82.5%); [18]), but lower than that obtained in Ghana (93.8%); [2]). In Romania, a small-scale integrated study in the eastern part of the country highlighted that 79% of the tested intensively and traditionally reared cattle were found to be positive at least one parasitic stage of GIT parasites [9].…”

“…Results of several investigations conducted at worldwide level highlighted that despite all financial efforts during prophylactic or therapeutic campaigns, based on appropriate integrated parasite management programs, the extensivity of GIT parasitic infections, both in ruminant livestock extensive and intensive production systems, reaches important values [3,4]. In this regard, according to statistical data, the most significant damages are due to the occurrence of GIT helminths [5].…”

Patterns of helminth infection in Kenyan elephant populations

“…Mean egg burden was higher in family groups than in male social groups, which contradicts male-biased parasitism known to be associated with both hormonal and behavioural differences often seen in other animals. In cattle, younger animals and males tend to have higher levels of gastrointestinal parasite infection than older and female animals [36]. In most mammals, males exhibit higher infection rates than females (i.e.…”

Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Parasitic Infections in Calves at Selected Areas of Bangladesh

“…The productivity losses through reduced feed intake and decreased efficiency in feed utilization due to subclinical or chronic infections are also hindering profitable livestock industry (Akanda et al, 2014). In addition, these infections enhance susceptibility to secondary infections and losses resulting from condemnation of carcasses and organs (Hendawy, 2018;Gunathilaka et al, 2018).…”