Volume 10, Issue 2: 59-65; March 25, 2020
ISSN 2228-7701
PREVALENCE OF BOVINE GASTRO INTESTINAL PARASITIC
INFECTION IN AND AROUND KOMBOLCHA TOWN
Abraham AYELE1, Murad ABAY2, Mastewal BIRHAN2 , Muluken YAYEH2, Maryie ERARA2, Tilahun
GESSESE2, Addisu MOHAMMED3 and Gedefaw DEMOZE2
College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal science, Department veterinary Paraclinical studies, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Email: maste65@gmail.com;
ABSTRACT: A cross-sectional study was conducted in and around Kombolcha from October 2017 to April 2018
to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes parasites in cattle. A total of 384 randomly selected
cattle were sampled and examined using standard coprological procedure. The overall prevalence was 39.8% of
gastrointestinal (GI) helminthes and the prevalent helminthes eggs identified were 15.6% Paramphistomum
species (spp), 10.4% strongly type eggs, 8.6% Fasciola spp., 3.1% Trichuris species and 2.1% Toxocaraspecies.
This result indicated the highest prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. eggs than other helminthes egg and the
lowest prevalence of Toxocara species egg. There was statistically significant difference among the age groups
in paramphistomum and strongly infection (χ2=24.960, p≤0.001) and (χ2=17.047, p≤0.001) respectively.
Higher prevalence rate was shown in 2-5 years age of cattle. Between body conditions there was also significant
(p≤0.000 and p≤0.013) difference in paramphistomum and strongly and which was higher in moderate animals
and lower in animals with good body condition. Sex had no significant effect on the prevalence of helminthes
parasite, except for strongly type of egg. The present study revealed that there is high prevalence of GI
helminthes infection in cattle in the study area. Therefore, strategic prevention should be advocated to prevent
the problem in and around Kombolcha.
Keywords: Cattle, Gastrointestinal, Prevalence, Helminthes parasites, Kombolcha
INTRODUCTION
Ethiopia is a home for about 54 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep, 24.06 million goats, 7 million equines, 1.25 million
camels and 42.1 million poultry. From the total cattle population 98.95% is local breeds with the remaining bear hybrid
and exotic breeds (CSA, 2013). In Ethiopia, livestock play an important role in the livelihood of poor farmers as it provides
a vast range of services and products such as meat, milk, skin, hair, horns, bones, manure and urine, security, gifts,
low. According to studies in the country, this is due to poor nutrition, reproduction familiarity, management constraints
Gastrointestinal helminthes are one of the main problems causing economic losses and diseases in animals. The
effect of infection is determined by a combination of factors of which the varying susceptibility of the host species, the
pathogenicity of the parasite species, the host/parasites interaction and the infective dose are the most important. The
direct losses caused by these parasites are attributed to acute illness and death, premature slaughter and rejection of
some parts during meat inspection. Indirect losses include the diminution of productive potential such as reduction of
milk production in dairy cow, decreased growth rate, weight loss in young growing calves and late maturity of slaughter
The most important helminthes parasites in cattle include nematodes (round worms), trematodes (flukes) and
cestodes (tape worms). These parasitic infections are problem for both small- and large-scale farmers worldwide, but their
impact is greater in sub-Saharan Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular due to the availability of a wide range of agro-
ecological factors suitable for diversified hosts and parasite species (Tesfaye, 2006). A number of helminthes species are
known to infect cattle worldwide. The most important ones include nematodes like Strongyle species (Haemonchus,
Ostartagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia) and trematodes of economic importance Fasciola species (Fasciola hepatica and
Fasciolagigantica) and Paraphistomum species (Paraphistomumcervei), while cestodes like Monezia species
(Moneziabenideniand Moneziaexpanza) could also be important constraints in animal production (Onah and Nawa, 2000).
There are many risk factors influencing the prevalence and severity of gastro intestinal (GI) helminthes. These
include age, sex, weather condition and husbandry or management practices of host species (Khan et al., 2009). Young
animals are most susceptible. The effect of these parasites is strongly dependent on the number of parasites and the
nutritional status of the animals they are infecting. The major clinical signs are weight loss, reduced feed intake, diarrhea,
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Citation: Ayele A, Abay M, Birhan M, Yayeh M, Erara M, Gessese T, Mohammed A and Demoze G (2020). Prevalence of bovine gastro intestinal parasitic infection in and