Prevalence of Major Gastrointestinal Nematode and Degree of Parasite Infestation in Sheep of Bako Agricultural Research Center Community Based Breeding Program Project Small Holder Farms at Horro District

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018 on 384 randomly selected sheep in two purposively selected peasant associations of Horro district with the objective of determining the prevalence and degree of gastrointestinal nematode infestation in sheep. Fecal samples collected from all study animals were subjected to parasitological investigation including simple test tube floatation and McMaster egg counting techniques for screening and counting the eggs of observed gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes. The study found that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep was 36.7% (141/384). Among the identified nematode parasite egg, strongyle eggs 64(16.66%) were the most prevalent followed by Trichuris 30(7.8%) and 29(7.55%) Strongyloidiasis. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in prevalence of GIT nematodes between different body conditions and age of the study animals. Animals with poor body conditions 75 (46.4%) were highly infected than animals with medium 51 (38.7%) and good body condition 15 (20%).The study revealed that the prevalence of nematodes significantly higher (p<0.05) in younger animals than in adults. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of GIT nematodes in case of peasant associations and sex of animals. Based on the EPG result, the study animals were classified as light81 (57.4%), moderate 34 (24.1%) and severe 26 (18.4%) infection. The majority of examined animal had the EPG count in average of less than 800 which is lightly infested. Hence, this finding indicated that helminths parasites are more prevalent in the study area. So that, proper screening and monitoring of the sheep should be carried out regularly, regular and strategic deworming programmes should be carried out, and. further studies on should be done to know the seasonal prevalence of GIT parasites of sheep.

Assessment of the Epidemiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract Nematode Parasites in Sheep in Toke Kutaye, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

“…Likewise, the prevalence of mixed nematode eggs observed in this study, 22.14%, is lower than the report of Tibebu et al 11 who reported 36.7% in Horro District, Ethiopia, but higher than the report of Dawit et al 31 who reported 12.5% mixed type of gastrointestinal tract nematode parasites in sheep in Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia. The presence of mixed gastrointestinal tract nematode infections in sheep in the study area might be due to the geographical and climatic conditions, complex life cycles of the parasites, host-parasite interactions, practices of grazing, and pasture management.…”

“…However, this result was less than that of previous studies on sheep from different parts of Ethiopia, including 98.9% in Southern Ethiopia, 7 86.7% in Bishoftu, 8 90.9% in sheep around Gondar, Northern Ethiopia, 9 and 94.1% in sheep of the Mendayo in Bunch, Southeast Ethiopia. 10 In addition, this finding was higher than the previous results, including 36.7% in Bako, Ethiopia, 11 68.1% in Asella, Ethiopia, 12 61.9% in Western Hararghe, 13 and 24.7% in Western Oromia. 14 The reason for this difference may be due to a combination of different factors, including climate and weather conditions, vegetation and grazing practices, animal movement, host genetics and immunity, parasite species, and drug resistance.…”

“…Some studies have been conducted in other different parts of Ethiopia showing the prevalence of 74.7% gastrointestinal nematodiasis in sheep in Borena, Ethiopia; 2 98.9% in Southern Ethiopia, 7 86.7% in Bishoftu, Ethiopia; 8 90.9% in sheep around Gondar, Northern Ethiopia; 9 94.1% in sheep of the Mendayo in Bunch, Southeast Ethiopia; 10 36.7% in Bako, Ethiopia; 11 68.1% in Asella, Ethiopia; 12 61.9% in Western Hararghe; 13 and 24.7% in Western Oromia. 14 …”

Prevalence and Faecal Egg Counts of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Merino Sheep in Lesotho

“…The reason for the variation was the competent reproduction and development of gastrointestinal helminths in warm and moist climates. It is reported that the prevalence and FEC of GIPs depend mainly on agroclimatic conditions, host age, host gender, quality and quantity of pasture, and grazing behavior of the host (Tamiru et al, 2018;Mpofu et al, 2020). Haemonchus contortus (nematode species) and Fasciola hepatica (Liver fluke) caused the greatest problem in both lambs and older sheep, especially during humid seasons and climates (Abbott et al, 2012).…”

Seasonal Prevalence and Status of Anthelmintic Resistance of Goats’ Gastrointestinal Nematodes, Mirab Abaya, Southern Ethiopia

“…From the 445 goats positive for gastrointestinal nematodes, mild, moderate, and severe infection recorded in 58.7%, 23.6%, and 17.7%, respectively. Under tropical condition, such degree of infection and in similar orders of proportions are commonly reported [ 4 , 40 , 41 , 53 , 54 ]. The management practice by the owners, especially, frequency of deworming, and level of grazing area contamination influence the intensity of infection [ 40 ].…”