Gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in three districts of Kaffa and Bench Maji Zones, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and to identify the genera of gastrointestinal strongyles infecting sheep goats in Chena and Gimbo (Kaffa Zone) and Semen-Bench (Bench Maji zones) districts, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 800 faecal samples were collected from sheep (n=492) and goats (n=308), and then examined by floatation technique. Positive faecal samples were pooled and cultured and third stage larvae (L₃) were harvested and identified. From 800 examined faecal sample 433 (54.1 %) were positive for gastrointestinal parasites eggs. Among the risk factors considered in this study age, body condition and history of previous deworming showed significant (P < 0.05) association with gastrointestinal parasites prevalence. Strongyle type eggs dominated the spectrum of infections, where by 73.1% sheep and 72.8% goats were positive for strongyles infection. From the pooled faecal sample culture seven nematode genera were identified in all the study districts (Chena, Gimbo and Semen-Bench) and both in sheep and goats. These genera include Bunostomum, Chabertia, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus. Among these Trichostrongylus, Bunostomum, Haemonchus and Cooperia were the dominant genera in all the three districts. This study indicated that gastrointestinal parasites were among the serious health problem both in sheep and goats in Kaffa and Bench Maji zones. Further study is required to identify the prevailing parasite species and assess the seasonal dynamics of the gastrointestinal parasites in the study areas and thereby to design  appropriate control methods that enable to overcome the existing problem.

Keywords: Coproculture, Bench Maji, Ethiopia, Gastrointestinal parasites, Goats, Kaffa, Prevalence, Sheep