Abstract
Balantidium coli is a common protozoan disease of animals. A total of 151 buffaloes were examined through faecal examination, of which 68 (45.03%) found to be infected with B. coli infection. Prevalence of B. coli infection was relatively higher in adult buffaloes (49.52%) aged > 5 years than young (39.29%) aged > 2- ≤ 5 years and buffalo calves (27.78%) aged ≤ 2 years. Higher prevalence of B. coli was observed in female (47.32%) than that of male (38.46%) buffaloes which are not statistically significant. Prevalence of B. coli infection was significantly (p<0.01) higher in poor health buffaloes (78.95%) than healthy buffaloes (24.47%) and buffaloes reared in normal floor/muddy floor (46.21%) than that reared in concrete floor (36.84%), respectively. Significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of B. coli infection was observed in rainy season (60%) followed by summer (42.10%) and winter season (32.76%). It is concluded that buffaloes are highly susceptible to balantidiasis irrespective of age, sex, health status, management system and seasons of the year. Keywords: Balantidium coli; Prevalence; Buffaloes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v9i1.8746 JBAU 2011; 9(1): 67-72
Highlights
Buffaloes play an important role in the national economy and trade of Bangladesh
Palanivel et al (2005) reported the prevalence of B. coli 45.45% and 51.43% in cattle and buffaloes, respectively which is similar to the findings of the present study
Lower prevalence of B. coli was observed by Motaleb (1996) and Sinha et al (1976) who recorded 1.5%, 2.2% and 1.28% cattle and buffaloes were suffering from balantidiasis in Bangladesh and India
Summary
Buffaloes play an important role in the national economy and trade of Bangladesh. Among many constrains, parasitism is thought to be a major cause that hindering the development of livestock population including buffaloes in Bangladesh (Jabber and Green, 1983). Calculated odds ratio revealed that adult and young buffaloes were 2.16 times and 1.73 times more prone to infection with B. coli than that of buffalo calves (Table 6) which supported to the earlier findings of Islam et al (2000) who reported the highest prevalence in buffaloes of 5 years and above age group (4.0%) than in animals 2-5 years (3.48%) and below 2 years of age (3.24%).
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