Intensity Of Gastrointestinal Parasites Research Articles

Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites and the Associated Risk Factors and Sero-Prevalence of Hemonchosis, among Camels in Egypt

Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites and the Associated Risk Factors and Sero-Prevalence of Hemonchosis, among Camels in Egypt

Effect of Agro-ecological Zone, Age, and Sex on Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Donkeys in Maseru District, Lesotho

Gastrointestinal parasites are considered to be silent killers of animals. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of the agro-ecological zone, age, and sex on the parasite prevalence and fecal egg/oocyst count in donkeys residing in Lesotho. A total number of 720 fecal samples were collected rectally from 120 indigenous donkeys that were randomly selected from the highlands, foothills, and lowlands of Maseru district, Lesotho. The fecal samples were collected every two months for one year and examined using the floatation technique. The overall prevalence for nematodes, coccidia, and cestodes in donkeys were 87.78%, 4.31%, and 1.53%, respectively. The highest nematode prevalence and intensity were detected in the donkeys of highlands. The coccidian infection was lower in the lowlands while cestodes infection was more prevalent in the foothills. Donkey’s age had an impact on the nematode fecal egg load but did not affect the prevalence of nematodes in donkeys. Age did not significantly affect the prevalence and fecal egg/oocyst count of cestodes and coccidia. Male donkeys had a higher prevalence and fecal egg count of cestodes. In conclusion, the nematodes were found to be the major gastrointestinal parasites of donkeys in the Maseru district. Therefore, there is a need to design a sustainable strategy aimed at controlling the gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys.

Prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in the vulnerable spur-thighed tortoise (<em>Testudo graeca</em>) from the central-western of Morocco

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in wild Testudo graeca tortoises in Morocco. A total of 102 tortoises sampled in two arid areas: Central Jbilets Mountains (CJM) and Sidi Kaouki Forest (SKF) were macroscopically examined and subjected to qualitative (flotation and Baermann techniques) and quantitative (McMaster technique) microscopic examinations. The identified gastrointestinal parasites belong to two nematode families (Pharyngodonidae and Ascarididae) and three protozoa families (Balantidiidae, Eimeriidae and Entamoebidae). 92.1% of tortoises were determined to harbor one or more parasite types. Oxyurid adults were the most frequently encountered with a prevalence of 22.7% and 72.4% in CJM and SKF, respectively. Nematode eggs were found in almost all individuals of both populations studied. The prevalence of protozoa was 9.1% and 3.4% in CJM and SKF, respectively. Oxyurid adults showed the highest intensity in SKF (36.5 ± 30.2) whereas, ascarid adults are absent in CJM. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of infection by ascarids was significantly higher in adults than in juveniles. The intensity of infection by ascarid and oxyurid eggs differed significantly between sexes and localities, respectively. Our results showed a difference of infection between the two localities, which could be in relation with habitat quality. SKF is affected by both agriculture and overgrazing. In addition, the tortoises from this locality are active for a large part of the year, which increases their chance of encountering the parasites.

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Donkeys in Selected Abattoirs in Kenya

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys slaughtered in Kinamba, Mogotio, and Lodwar slaughterhouses and their association with several host factors. A survey was done between July and September 2017 in three slaughterhouses. Faecal samples were collected per rectum from all the study donkeys for faecal egg counts (EPG) and morphological identification of the eggs. At slaughter, the gastrointestinal tracts were opened and examined visually, and all helminth parasites collected were subjected to morphological identification. Prevalence and intensity were calculated based on the helminth identified and EPG. A total of 282 donkeys were sampled. A majority of the donkeys (89%) were in poor body condition. Ten helminth parasite species were identified in 85.5% donkeys. They were Strongylus vulgaris (52.8%), Parascaris equorum (20.2%), Strongylus edentatus (12.1%), Anaplocephala perfoliata (10.3%), Setaria equina (3.5%) Anaplocephala magna (2.5%), Cylicocyclus auriculatus (2.1%), Cyathostomum species (1.8%), Strongylus equinus (0.4%), and Triodontophorus serratus (0.4%). A significant percentage (55.3%) had no eggs in their feces, 39% had low infection, 5% had medium, and only 0.7% were heavily infected. Prevalence rates via use of the EPG showed Strongyles (44.7%), Parascaris equorum (5.3%), Oxyuris equi (11%), Triodontophorus tenuicolis (0.7%), Habronema species (0.7%), and cestodes eggs (0.4%). No significant differences were observed between fecal Strongylus egg count and age, sex, and pregnancy status. However, donkeys with poor body condition shed more Strongylus eggs in feces. Helminth infections are prevalent in donkeys in Kenya; however, this is not reflected in coprological analyses. These helminth parasites may contribute to poor body condition, ill health, and poor productivity of donkeys.

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Buffaloes from Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh and Coproculture Study of Strongyle Infection

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Buffaloes from Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh and Coproculture Study of Strongyle Infection

Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in Spheniscus magellanicus (Foster, 1781) located in Pontal do Sul, PR, Brazil

ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal parasitism is the main health problem faced by Spheniscus magellanicus, known as Magellanic penguins, in route on the Brazilian coast. The aim of this research was to report the occurrence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in S. magellanicus that reached Pontal do Sul, Paraná, South of Brazil. The study was performed at the Marine Study Center of the Federal University of Parana (CEM-UFPR) with 38 specimens, 31 were necropsied and seven were examined alive with coproparasitological exams. From the necropsied animals, 93.5% (29/31) were parasitized with at least one parasite species. Contracaecum pelagicum was the most prevalent 93,5% (29/31) parasite, followed by Cardiocephaloides physalis (64.5%) and Tetrabothrius lutzi (51.6%). Only one animal was free of parasites and the most infected bird had 1.076 parasites with an average of 194 worms. Willis-Mollay method revealed that 57.1% (4/7) had C. pelagicum eggs. In conclusion, the high rate of gastrointestinal parasites in S. magellanicus confirms the clinical exams, when animals had poor health conditions when they were found in the cost of Paraná. This study provides data to enrich the literature regarding the helminth fauna of the Magellanic penguins, assisting sanitary control programs in Rehabilitation Centers for Marine Animals.

Gastro-intestinal parasite infections of Ankole cattle in an unhealthy landscape: An assessment of ecological predictors

The distribution of gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites across landscapes is closely related to the spatial distribution of hosts. In GI parasites with environmental life stages, the vitality of parasites is also affected by ecological and landscape-related components of the environment. This is particularly relevant for domestic livestock species that are often kept across habitats with varying degrees of degradation, exposing them to a wide range of environmentally robust parasite species. In our study, we examined the effect of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the prevalence and intensity of GI parasites across a free-ranging stock of Ankole cattle in the Mutara rangelands of northeastern Rwanda. Prevalence and intensity of each parasite type (i.e., strongyle-type nematodes, Strongyloides spp., Moniezia spp., and Eimeria spp.) were used as dependent variables. Two fixed factors related to season and conservation-political history, together with three principal components (condensed from nine ecological variables) were used as independent covariates in a univariate General Linear Model (GLM). Major effects on the prevalence and intensity of strongyle-type nematodes and on the intensity of Eimeria spp. were found in that vegetation-related effects such as above-ground grass biomass in conjunction with a high degree of soil compaction had a negative relationship with these parasite types. These unexpected findings suggest that strongyle-type and coccidian infections increase with increasing rangeland degradation. Strongyle-type nematode prevalence and intensity were also negatively related to goat/sheep density, indicating a ‘dilution effect’ of GI infections between domestic livestock species.

Influence of horse management systems in south-western Poland on the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in horses from various management systems. The study included 296 horses of different breeds and ages (from 6 months to 20 years), of both sexes, coming from various management systems: Group 1 – horses using natural pastures, Group 2 – horses pastured on field pastures created by man, Group 3 – horses using sand areas. Faeces samples were collected directly from the rectum 1–2 days before worming. Each sample was examined macro- and microscopically (McMaster method). The number of oocysts/eggs per gram of faeces (OPG/EPG) and parasite abundance (average representation of parasites in relation to all animals). The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Total prevalence of parasites in all groups was 66.89%: E. leucarti 0.68%; Anoplocephalidae 4.73%, P.equorum 9.46% and Strongylidae 64.19%. Total prevalence per group was the following: 1 – 57.43%; 2– 26.69%; 3 – 6.38 %. In all management systems, the dominating parasites belonged to Cyathostominae (Group 1–77.65%, Group 2 – 70.89%, Group 3 – 4.25%). The prevalences of P. equorum, Anoplocephalidae, E. leucarti in each group were as follows: Group 1 – 10.59; 3.53; 0.59%; Group 2 – 11.39; 10.13; 1.27%; Group 3 – 2.13; 0; 0%.The average intensities of Strongylildae, P. equorum, Anaplocephalidae and E. leucarti in groups were as follows: Group 1 – 606.44; 519.44; 50; 50; Group 2 – 472.32; 261.11; 62.5; 50; Group 3 – 1150; 450; 0; 0. On the other hand, the average abundances in each group were the following: Group 1 – 473.67; 55; 1.76; 0.29; Group 2 – 334.81; 29.75; 6.33; 0.63; Group 3 – 48.94; 9.57; 0; 0. The statistical analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences between the management system and invasion intensity. However, the analysis, taking into consideration a correlation between the management system and abundance, revealed statistically significant differences. The differences were observed between Groups 1 and 3 (pi = 0.0000001) and between Groups 2 and 3 (pi = 0.0000001).

Prevalence and Intensity of Helminth Parasites of African Catfish <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> in Lake Manzala, Egypt

The African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is generally considered to be one of the most important tropical catfish species for aquaculture purposes. Parasitological investigation was performed in two hundred naturally collected fish samples during the period of February to December 2014. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites infecting C. gariepinus was investigated. A total of 249 helminth parasites belonging to four genera were recovered from 130 (65%) examined fish samples. They were digenea Orientocreadium batrachoides, cestode Polyonchobothrium clariae, and nematode Procamallanus laevionchus and Camallanus polypteri. Majority of the recorded parasites were found in the intestine. Female fish samples had higher prevalence rate 72 (90%) than males 58 (48.33%), and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in infestation rate between the two sexes. The relationship of host size (weight/length) and parasite infection showed that there was no significant difference in the parasitic infection among three classes, although fish of larger sizes had more infections. In addition, this study determines the effect of fish age on the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites.

Influence of annual rainfall on epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites in sheep flocks of Rajasthan

The translation of exogenous stages of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites varies according to climatic variables like temperature, rainfall and humidity. The present paper describes the influence of quantum of annual rainfall on the prevalence and intensity of GI parasites in field flocks of sheep in Rajasthan. The period of 9 years (2004–13) was divided in 3 categories as years with above normal, normal and below normal annual total rainfall (TRF). Faecal samples (59,398) were subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation and data on monthly incidence and intensity were analyzed according to categories of years. The effect of annual TRF was significant on incidence of strongyle worms for all the months except during June in semi-arid and April in arid region. During August to December (favourable season), it was higher in the years with below normal TRF in semi-arid and in the years with normal annual TRF in arid region. The incidence of Trichuris spp, Strongyloides papillosus, Fasciola gigantica and Schistosoma indicum was very low. Incidence of S. papillosus was higher in the years of normal annual TRF in semi-arid region only. The incidence of Amphistomes remained lowest in the years of normal annual TRF. Higher annual TRF resulted in lower monthly incidence of Moneizia infection. The intensity of strongyle infection for all the months was significantly lower in years with above normal annual TRF in semi-arid region however similar influence was noticed only for July and August in arid region. It was inferred that moderate flexibility in single drench schedule according to magnitude of annual rainfall effectively managed the GI nematodes in field flocks of Rajasthan. However, a different strategy is required to formulate for management of flukes depending on quantum of rainfall, availability of water reservoirs and water resources for flocks.

English

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs from the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected randomly from 271 pigs between April and October 2010, processed by modified Kato-katz technique and then examined for the presence of helminth ova and protozoan oocysts and cysts. Out of the 271 faecal samples examined, 97 (35.8%) were infected with one or more parasite species. Five types of parasites were identified, including Trichuris suis, Ascaris suum, human hookworm, Stephanurus dentatus and Isospora suis. T. suis was the most prevalent parasite. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher in male pigs than in females (P<0.05). Single infection was more common with a prevalence of 80.4%. The results of this study provide baseline information about the parasitic fauna in intensively managed pigs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Key words: Prevalence, gastrointestinal parasites, Ascaris suum, pig, Trichuris suis, Ibadan.

Prevalence, intensity and seasonality of gastrointestinal parasites in abattoir horses in Germany

Prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites were studied through a longitudinal survey in 400 horses over a 17-month period in an abattoir in Germany. Three hundred and ten horses (77.5%) were demonstrated harbouring endoparasites either by direct recovery of parasites from the digestive tract and/or in terms of faecal egg counts (strongyles). The following parasites were found (percentage prevalence, range of counts): Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae (2.25%, 1-154), Gasterophilus nasalis larvae (0.25%, 44), Trichostrongylus axei (11.0%, 1-3,620), Habronema majus (8.0%; 1-422), Habronema muscae (26.5%, 1-3,563), Habronema spp. fourth-stage larvae (5.5%; 1-1,365), Parascaris equorum (total prevalence 11.3%; adults 8.8%, 1-178; fourth-stage larvae 2.5%, 5-2,320), Anoplocephala perfoliata (28.5%, 1-2,013) and Paranoplocephala mamillana (1.0%, 1-11). Strongyle eggs (≥10 eggs per gram of faeces) were recorded in 60.8% of the horses (10-6,450 eggs per gram of faeces).Prevalences of infection with T. axei, P. equorum and strongyles did not show a correlation to specific seasons. In contrast, a significant variation among seasons of collection was shown for the infection rates of Habronema spp. (p < 0.05) and A. perfoliata (p < 0.001). Seasonal prevalence of Habronema spp. infection was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in summer (39.0%), autumn (34.8%) and winter (36.5%) than in spring (18.7%), and A. perfoliata were significantly (p < 0.001) more often recorded during autumn (36.1%) and winter (36.5%) than in spring (17.3%) and summer (15.9%). Prevalences of T. axei, Habronema spp., strongyles and A. perfoliata in male and female horses were almost alike, but ascarids were significantly (p = 0.025) more often recorded in male than in female horses.

Helminth parasites of &lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt; (Teugels) in Zaria, Nigeria

A total of 240 Clarias gariepinus (Teugels) were randomly purchased from fish landings in Sabon-gari market, Zaria. The fish were examined parasitologically for gastrointestinal parasites. Five species of helminth parasites comprising 3 cestodes, 1 nematode and 1 acanthocephala were isolated from the fish. The cestodes and their prevalence were Anomotaenia sp. (2.5%), Monobothrium sp. (13.33%) and Polyonchobothrium clariae (1.67%). The nematode, Procamallanus laevionchus and the acanthocephalan, Neoechinorhynchus rutili had a prevalence of 0.83% and 0.83% respectively. Majority of the parasites were found in the intestine. Infection was limited to fish with length ranging from 30.0 – 39.9 cm (prevalence: 15.83%; mean intensity: 3.78) and 40.0 – 49.9 cm (prevalence: 3.33%; mean intensity: 2.5) Fish specimens that were lighter in weight (150.0 – 299.9 g) were free of infection, but those found with parasites weighed between 350.0 – 399.0 g (prevalence, 7.5%) and 450.0 – 500.0 g (prevalence 6.67%). There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the infection of the male and female C. gariepinus. The study highlights the importance of changing feeding habit of C. gariepinus with age on the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites, and parasitised male fish have lower condition factor than unparasitised ones. Key Words: Helminth, parasites, Clarias gariepinus, Zaria. Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(2) 2004: 71-76