Epidemiological significance of major hemoparasites of ruminants in and around Debre-Zeit, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Prevalence of hemoparasites of ruminants (cattle, sheep and goat) in and around Debre-Zeit was determined using diagnostic records from November, 2010 to April, 2011. A total of 384 blood samples collected from ruminants present in Debre-Zeit town and surrounding peasant associated areas were examined by Giemsa stained, thin blood smears and Diff-quick method for hemoparasite. Packed cell volume (PCV) for each sample was estimated and hematocrit centrifugation (HCT) technique was used to determine the presence of hemoflagellates. An overall prevalence of hemoparasites was 6.3% which consisted of Anaplasma species (Anaplasma ovis 2.1%, Anaplasma marginale 1.6%, Anaplasma centerale 0.3%), Babesia species (Babesia bigeemina, Babesia bovis and Babesia ovis total of 0.9%) and Trypanosome species (only Trypanosome vivax 1.6%). The hemoparasite detected alone or in concurrent infection had a significant (P<0.05) effect on PCV of infected animals. The result of this study shows these hemoparasites are not endemic in ruminants in the study area, which may results in serious disease conditions when such animals are subjected to stress full condition. Key words: Debre-Zeit, hemoparasites, prevalence, ruminants.