Repeated simple sedimentation technique and prevalence of bovine schistosomosis in selected sites of Bahir Dar woreda

Abstract

The study was conducted from April 2008 to February 2009 at Bahir Dar Woreda adjoining Upper Blue Nile “Abay” river basin, northwest Ethiopia with the aim of estimating the benefit from repeated examination of faecal samples in diagnosis of
bovine Schistosomosis and determining the prevalence of the disease in naturally infected cattle. Two hundred and twenty nine cattle (112 local and 117cross) were used from the population as study animals. Out of 687 faecal samples (229 cattle x 3 consecutive days) examined, 256 samples were found positive for Schistosoma bovis giving an overall prevalence of 37.3%. Sampling of each animal was made for three consecutive days and schistosomosis prevalence was determined for each sample day i.e. for day1, day2 and day3. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the prevalence of schistosomosis of cattle between day1 and day3.
The prevalence of the disease in both breeds increases as sample day increases. However, in cross breed cattle the prevalence of schistosomosis was significantly (p<0.05) higher than local breeds. Statistical analyses of result revealed that there were significant differences in infection between age groups (P<0.05). There was no significance difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of Schistosoma infection between
the two sex groups. This work demonstrates that the sensitivity of sedimentation techniques in detection of Schistosoma eggs of cattle increases by repeated faecal examinations. As useful method, repeated faecal examinations should be applied
by veterinarians for diagnosis of schistosomosis in endemic areas of the country.