Prevalence of Infection with Fasciola gigantica and Its Relationship to Carcase and Liver Weights, and Fluke and Egg Counts in Slaughter Cattle and Buffaloes in Southern Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

[Extract] According to Tongson (1978), fasciolosis is the most widespread and most destructive parasitic disease of farm animals in the Philippines, with incidence rates of34.61-100% in endemic areas. In Cotabato province where rice is primarily produced, fasciolosis is considered to be common among cattle and buffaloes. This study was undertaken to describe the infection in these animals because published reports on fasciolosis in this area are lacking. The prevalence of infection and the relationship of infection to carcase and liver weights, and the number of mature and immature flukes and the faecal egg count were investigated. This information may assist in understanding the importance of the infection and the need to implement control. Differences in response to infection with Fasciola gigantica between cattle and buffaloes have been observed in previous studies (Ening Wiedosari, personal communication, 1997), where it was found that infected buffaloes did not show significant reduction in weight gain, whereas weight gain in infected Bali and Ongole cattle was significantly reduced. The fluke burden in buffaloes was also significantly lower than in Ongole cattle. Hence, responses to infection with F gigantica may vary among different breeds. This abattoir study was done to observe the responses of Philippine cattle and buffaloes to natural infection with F gigantica and to see whether these differ between species.