Effect of rainfall and temperature on liver and rumen fluke infestations of bovines in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Fecal fluke egg output of bovines from three selected farms at Ma Eliya (site A), Ma Eliya (site B) and Delathure (site C) in Ja-Ela area of Gampaha district in Sri Lanka was examined for six months period from July to December 2006. The mean egg output of the animals of site A, B and C were 255, 84 and 95 eggs/g of feces respectively. Statistical analysis showed that mean fecal fluke egg output was significantly different between sites (df= 2, f= 126.05, p=0.000) and also between months (df= 5, f= 7.31, p=0.000). Regression analysis revealed that the fecal fluke egg output had a positive relation with rainfall (r²=0.6178) and a negative relation with temperature (r²= 0.6486). The female cattle had a higher fecal fluke egg output (x =202.76) than the male cattle (x =116.97) but egg output did not significantly differ. Also there was an increasing trend of mean fecal fluke egg count with the increment in the age of cattle (r²= 0.6057). Rumens and livers of slaughtered cattle and buffaloes from the study area were examined for fluke infections. Specimens were identified by making histological sections. One species of liver fluke, Explanatum explanatum and four rumen flukes, Paramphistomum spp., Gastrothylax crumenifer, Carmyerius spp., and Fischoederius elongates were identified. Two other flukes belonging to the family Gastrothylacidae were also found from the rumen of buffalo. Explanatum explanatum was found to be a great cause of condemnation of livers at slaughterhouses in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: liver and rumen flukes, bovines, influence of climate, Sri Lanka.

International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 229-236