Prevalence Of Cestode Infection Research Articles

Cestode infections of two clariid and two claroteid catfish species in River Galma, Zaria, Nigeria

Four catfish (Siluriformes) species comprising two clariids, Heterobranchus bidorsalis (65) and Heterobranchus longifilis (15) and two claroteids, Auchenoglanis occidentalis (31) and Chrysichthys auratus (19) from River Galma Zaria, Nigeria, were examined for gastrointestinal cestodes between May 2016 and February 2017. Helminths recovered were stained, dehydrated, cleared and mounted in Canada balsam for microscopic examination. A total of seven cestode species were recovered from the clariids and claroteids. The cestodes were distributed among the fish examined as follows: in C. auratus: Wenyonia longicauda (26.32%), W. virilis (10.53%), and W. minuta (5.26%); in H. bidorsalis: W. acuminata (3.08%), W. virilis (18.46%), Monobothrioides woodlandi (6.15%), Proteocephalus sp. (1.54%) and Tetracampos ciliotheca (4.62%); in H. longifilis: M. woodlandi (6.67%), W. longicauda (6.67%) and W. acuminata (6.67%). Prevalence of cestode infection in C. auratus was higher in the wet than in the dry season; however, prevalence of infection in H. longifilis and H. bidorsalis was higher in the dry than in the wet season. The prevalence was higher in male than in female H. longifilis while higher in female than in male C. auratus and H. bidorsalis. Prevalence decreased with increase in standard length of C. auratus, H. longifilis and H. bidorsalis. A seemingly posteriorly deformed W. minuta was recovered from C. auratus. None of the 31 A. occidentalis examined in this study was infected by cestodes. All the fish used in this study were collected mostly on the basis of availability. It is therefore recommended that larger sample of assorted sizes be obtained, especially of H. longifilis (15) and C. auratus (19), of which very few specimens were examined during the period of this study to obtain a clearer picture of infection by the cestodes from RiverGalma, Zaria, Nigeria.
 Keywords: Cestodes; catfish; clariid claroteid; siluriformes; infection; prevalence; intensity.

Gastrointestinal helminths of backyard chickens in selected areas of West Shoa Zone Central, Ethiopia

Gastrointestinal parasites of chickens are prevalent in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. This study was conducted with backyard chickens in Ambo, Holeta and, Dire Inchini in the West Shoa zone with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections, identifying the species present and determining associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 252 chickens purchased from local markets. Chickens were killed humanely and gastrointestinal tracts were examined for adult helminths. Identification of the helminths was performed using morphology and microscopy. The overall prevalence of helminth parasites in chickens was 92.1% (232/252) [95% confidence interval (CI): 88.0% - 95.1%]. 80.2% (204/252) [95% CI: 75.3% - 86.9%] and 77.8% (196/252) [95% CI: 72.1% - 82.8%] of chickens were infected with diverse nematode and cestode species, respectively. Parasitological examination revealed the presence of three nematode and five cestode species. Ascaridia galli (69.8%) and Heterakis gallinarum (13.5%) were the dominant nematode species and Railletina tetragona (54.0%) and Railletina echinobothrida (46.8%) were the most prevalent species of cestodes identified. A significant difference (p < .05) was observed between the prevalence of nematode parasites and sex, age, and origin of the chicken. Similarly, sex and origin of the chickens were significantly different with the prevalence of cestode infections. Higher prevalence was observed in male versus female chickens, in young versus adult chickens and in chickens from Holeta and Direinchin compared to Ambo. In contrast, weight, health status, diarrhea status, and age (for cestodes) were not significantly associated with nematode and cestode infection. In conclusion, the present study detected a high prevalence of diverse types of gastrointestinal helminths in backyard chickens, which could result in poor health and reduce productivity. Therefore, the present study strongly suggests appropriate and strategic control of helminthiasis to improve the health and output of backyard chickens in the study areas.

Helminths of the Mallard, Anas Platyrhynchos (Aves, Anatidae), in Ukraine: Analysis of the Diversity in Mixed Forest Zone and the Black Sea Region

Abstract Thirty-eight Mallards were collected on the territory of Ukrainian Polissia to study the fauna of their gastro-intestinal helminths. Materials were collected in 1998-2000, 2014 and 2016 on the territory of Volyn and Chernihiv Regions. In total, 33 species of helminths were found. Th e prevalence of cestode infection was 78.9 %. We found 18 cestode species: Aploparaksis furcigera, Cloacotaenia megalops, Dicranotaenia coronula, Diorchis acuminatus, D. stefanskii, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, F. teresae, Microsomacanthus compressa, M. spiralibursata, M. paracompressa, M. paramicrosoma, M. parvula, M. hopkinsi, Platyscolex ciliata, Retinometra venusta, Sobolevicanthus aculeostyleticus, S. gracilis, S. stolli. Th e prevalence of trematode infection was 73.7 %. Th ere were 10 trematode species: Bilharziella polonica, Apatemon gracilis, Echinoparyphium aconitum, E. cinctum, Echinostoma revolutum group, Hypoderaeum conoideum, Notocotylus attenuatus, Parastrigea robusta, Prosthogonimus ovatus, P. cuneatus.Th e prevalence of nematode infection was 7.9 %. Th ere were four nematode species: Capillaria anatis, Capillariidae gen. sp., Eucoleus contorta, Tetrameres fi ssispina. Th e prevalence of an acanthocephalan Filicollis anatis was 18.4 %. Th e most common species of helminths were A. furcigera, B. polonica, A. gracilis, Echinostoma revolutum group, F. fasciolaris, H. conoideum. Th e helminth faunas of Mallards from the territory of Ukrainian Polissia and from the Black Sea Region of Ukraine were compared. Th e results of comparison demonstrated a high level of their qualitative similarity.

RESPONSES OF ENDOPARASITES IN RED-BACKED VOLES (MYODES GAPPERI) TO NATURAL FOREST FIRES

We investigated the responses of endoparasites in red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) to fire in a boreal forest ecosystem. Because fire affects the environmental conditions and biodiversity of the forest ecosystem, the life cycle of parasites may also be affected because of the absence of intermediate hosts in the environment. We hypothesized that the prevalence of endoparasites would be influenced by the parasites' life cycle and habitat characteristics (forest vs. burned). We found that prevalence of endoparasites was different between forested and burned habitats (chi(2)=37.49, P<0.001). Cestodes, nematodes, and coccidia showed different responses to habitat alteration (chi(2)=37.43, P<0.001). There was a higher prevalence of cestodes in forested (53.5%) than burned habitats (35.0%). However, there was higher prevalence of coccidia in burned (55.0%) than forested (42.9%) habitats. Furthermore, although prevalence of cestode infection was lower in burned than forested habitat, individuals in both habitats had similar intensities of cestodes. Our study showed that habitat can significantly affect the parasite communities, depending on specific parasite life cycles.