Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattles in and around Jimma Town, south western Ethiopia

Abstract

Cross sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 to assess the prevalence of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes and its associated risk factors in and around Jimma town, southwestern Ethiopia. A total of 384 faecal samples for the coproscopic examination were collected and processed using direct faecal floatation method in parasitology laboratory of Jimma University, School of Veterinary medicine. Out of the total sampled cattle, 190 (49.5%) had a gastrointestinal nematode infection. Coprological investigation revealed that strongyles (37.5%) were the most prevalent genera than Trichuris (32.3%), Toxocara (15.4%) and strongyloides (11.7%). The eggs per gram count was determined by using McMaster egg counting technique showed that 42 (22.1%), 122 (64.2%) and 26 (13.7%) of the cattle were lightly, moderately and heavily infested, respectively. Parasite burden (EPG) of gastrointestinal nematodes in the current study shown that a statistically significant difference was found between ages and body condition scores (P<0.05), but not between the sex groups. Significant difference was observed in the prevalence of parasites within monthly occurrence of the disease (P<0.05) in the study area. Sex and breeds of cattle were found to have no statistically significant association (P>0.05) with prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes infections. Prevention of cattle from these nematode infection using strategic deworming and an improved feeding and management of cattle should be attempted.

Keywords: Faecal sample, McMaster, Risk factors, Strongyles, Strongyloides, Toxocara, Trichuris