Coinfection prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and ticks of small ruminants in Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions, North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to determine the coinfection prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and tick infestation of small ruminants in Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions. Methods: 704 animals were physically examined for tick infestation and stool samples collected for the detection of gastrointestinal parasites, of which 383 were goats and 321 sheep. Results: Out of this number of animals examined, 378 were infected with one or more gastrointestinal parasite and ticks, giving an overall prevalence of 53.7% with the highest prevalence recorded in goats (P>0.05). The most common mixed infections recorded were Haemonchus sp/Eimeria sp/ticks, strongyloides sp/ trichostrongylus sp/ticks. Generally, the overall prevalence of these parasites and tick infestation among the different age groups showed that, adults had the highest overall prevalence (64.4%) while the young recorded the lowest prevalence (33.2%). It was however observed that females were the most infected (57.4%) compared to males (49.7%) (P>0.05). Locality based prevalence revealed that Bui Division was the most infected, with goats recording the highest prevalence (55.4%) while in Donga Mantung Division, the highest prevalence was recorded in sheep (50.4%) (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study provides an important step to reduce animal infection and infestation and minimize economic losses in small ruminants. it also provides information that will help farmers of these areas to use strategic treatment methods and medicinal plants to reduce parasite infestations on the animals and also to practice the right traditional management techniques.