Bovine schistosomiasis in some selected areas of South Wollo and Oromia Zones of Amhara Region, North-East Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional coprological and pathological study was conducted in five districts of South Wollo and Oromia Administrative Zones, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia from November 2020 to June 2021 to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Bovine Schistosomiasis and to characterize pathological lesions induced by the adult worm of Schistosoma bovis. For coprological examination, a total of 768 fecal samples were collected both from the field (384) and the abattoirs (384). An abattoir survey was carried out on 384 cattle to evaluate the performance of the sedimentation method. The risk factors were identified using multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression analyses. The diagnostic efficacy of the sedimentation technique was determined by calculating sensitivity and specificity considering postmortem examination as a reference test. The overall prevalence of bovine shistosomiasis using coprological examination was found to be 16.7% (95% CI = 14.10–19.49). The prevalence of shistosomiasis based on post-mortem examination was found to be 17.19% (95% CI = 13.55–21.34). Local cattle breed (OR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.34–4.43), poor body condition (OR = 4.09, 95% CI = 2.45–6.83) and adult (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.21–3.28) cattle are more likely to acquire shistosomiasis than crossbreed, good body condition, and young cattle. The sensitivity and specificity of sedimentation techniques, keeping postmortem examination as a reference test were 74.24% (95%CI = 61.99–84.22) and 98.11% (95%CI = 95.94–99.30), respectively. The major gross lesions were observed in the liver and intestinal tracts. In conclusion, adult local cattle with medium and poor body conditions should be prioritized for deworming and future surveillance.