Evaluation of gastrointestinal parasites in bile and faeces of cattle and sheep from Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in bile and faeces of cattle and sheep from Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Bile and faeces were collected from a total of 412 cattle and 390 sheep. Bile samples were analysed using sedimentation, while the faeces were subjected to standard floatation and sedimentation techniques. An overall prevalence of 77.91% and 75.90% was obtained respectively in cattle and sheep using all the employed techniques. For both species, obtained results did not vary significantly (p>0.05) based on the sex, age, breed and month of sample collection. However, significant (p<0.05) variation in prevalence was demonstrated in cattle and sheep based on the type of technique employed in the analysis of the samples. The prevalence based on the techniques employed was 62.53%, 23.05% and 28.88% by bile sedimentation, faecal sedimentation and faecal floatation respectively in cattle, while it was 23.07%, 21.79% and 65.89% respectively in sheep. Furthermore, Fasciola spp predominated the recovery in cattle with 146(35.78%), followed by Dicrocoelium hospes 129(31.62%), strongyle 124(30.39%), Paramphistomum spp. 1(0.25%), Moniezia benedini 1(0.25%), Schistosoma bovis 1(0.25%), Toxocara vitulorum 2(0.49%), Fasciola/Paramphistomum 1(0.25%), Fasciola/strongyle 1(0.25%), Fasciola/Schistosoma bovis 1(0.25%) and Fasciola/Toxocara vitulorum 1(0.25%). Infected sheep had 95(17.43%) Fasciola spp., 50(9.17%) Dicrocoelium hospes, 166(9.17%) strongyle, 13(2.39) Moniezia benedini, 139(25.50%) coccidia, 3(0.55%) Strongyloides papillosus, 11(2.08%) Fasciola spp./Dicrocoelium hospes, 2(0.37%) Strongyloides papillosus/coccidia, 58(10.64%) strongyle/coccidia, 6(1.10%) strongyle/Moniezia benedini, 1(0.18%) Moniezia benedini/coccidia and 1(0.18%) Moniezia/strongyle/coccidia. Incidentally, Schistosoma bovis and Toxocara vitulorum were recovered from the bile of cattle. Conclusively, the result showed high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of cattle and sheep. The finding of parasites such as Fasciola spp. in great number is of great epidemiological significance, in view of the economic and public health importance.

Keywords: Parasite; Jos; prevalence; bile; faeces; sheep; cattle