STUDIES ON GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF SMALL RUMINANTS SLAUGHTERED IN DOGARAWA SLAUGHTER SLAB IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
STUDIES ON GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF SMALL RUMINANTS SLAUGHTERED IN DOGARAWA SLAUGHTER SLAB IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2014-05
Authors
JOSIAH, JAMES GANA
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminths have been recognized as a major constraint to both small and large-scale small ruminant production in developing countries. This study was aimed at evaluating the current status of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites and the risk factors associated with it in Zaria, Nigeria. A cross- sectional study was carried out in sheep and goats from November, 2011 to October, 2012. Three hundred GIT with corresponding faecal and blood samples were also collected from 200 goats and 100 sheep respectively at necropsy and examined by the Hansen and Perry method. The egg per gram of feaces was determined by the modified McMaster techniques. Faecal sample examination revealed an overall helminth prevalence of 77.3% (232/300) in small ruminants with 82% of sheep and 75% of goats harbouring at least one or more helminth egg types. Four helminth egg types were recovered with Strongyle egg type (71% in sheep and 62% in goats) being the most prevalent followed, respectively by Moniezia (15% in sheep and 15% in goats), Strongyloides (8% in sheep and 8.5% in goats) and Trichuris (4% in sheep and 6% in goats) egg types. Mean faecal egg counts were generally moderate in both sheep and goats. The mean egg counts per gram of faeces in sheep for Strongyloides, Strongyle, Moniezia and Trichuris were 4208±343.1 (20-28000), 2966±435.7(20-13320), 718±244.1(40-2800) and 90±23.80(60-160) respectively. The mean egg counts per gram of faeces in goats for Strongyloides, Strongyle, Moniezia and Trichuris were 2603±138.8 (20-5000), 1301±189.9 (20-12080), 1247±442.8 (20-10000) and 138.8±30.39 (60-360) respectively. The prevalence and counts of Strongyle egg types showed a definite seasonal sequence that corresponded with the relative humidity and rainfall pattern in the study area during the period. The other egg types encountered during the study did not show much variation with the season of the year. Examination for adult helminths in-situ revealed that 157 (78.5%) of goats and 85(85%) of sheep harboured at least one adult helminth given an overall prevalence of 80.67% of small ruminants. Five genera of adult helminths recorded were Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Trichuris and Moniezia. Adult worm burdens were generally low. The mean worm burden for Haemonchus was 145.6 ±48.99, with a range of 1 to 4100. Haemonchus spp burden showed seasonal variation that corresponded with the rainfall pattern in the study area during the period. Haemonchus demonstrated arrested development during early dry, late dry and late rainy seasons of the study period. Correlation between EPG and PCV, adult worm burdens and PCV and Adult worm burden and EPG were all highly significant (P<0.0001). The correlation between EPG and worm burden was positive (r=+0.3860), while the correlation between EPG and PCV; worm burden and PCV were negative (-0.2789 and -0.2632 respectively). Bile collection revealed the presence of Fasciola spp and Dicrocoelium spp with an overall prevalence of 8.6% in small ruminants. This study has revealed an all-year round helminth infections in small ruminants, which may impact negatively on productivity. The study further demonstrated a significantly negative correlation between adult worm burden and PCV as well as EPG. Thus, further studies on these correlation under experimental condition is recommended
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA. IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER DEGREE IN VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA. MAY, 2014
Keywords
GASTROINTESTINAL,, HELMINTHS,, SMALL RUMINANTS,, SLAUGHTERED,, DOGARAWA,, SLAUGHTER SLAB,, ZARIA, NIGERIA