Coprological Survey of Gastro-Intestinal Helminth in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of Dhrampur, Dhanusha, Nepal

Abstract

Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), an important species of domestic livestock, is generally affected by helminth parasites. Present study was carried out to find the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of buffaloes. Out of a total of 300 fecal samples collected 150 each during summer and winter season, were tested for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths using sedimentation and flotation techniques and the parasites were identified morphologically under microscope. The test revealed 74% and 84.66% positive for the presence of eggs of gastrointestinal helminths for the winter and summer season respectively. The fecal samples showed the prevalence of trematodes (47.01%), cestodes (2.66%) and nematodes (10.66%) during winter season. Likewise, the helminth eggs of trematodes, cestode and nematodes were 52.99%, 3.66% and 12 % of respectively during summer. Among the trematodes, Fasciola sp showed a a higher (23.33%) prevalence followed by Paramphistomum (17.66%) and Dicrocoelius (9.66%). Among cestodes, the only eggs detected belonged to Monezia (6.33%) sp. Among nematodes Trichostrongylus sp showed a higher (9.33%) prevalence followed gradually by Toxocara (5.66%), Strongyloides (2.66%), Trichuris (1.66%), Ostertagia (1%), Haemonchus (0.66%), Chabertia (0.66%), Cooperia (0.33%), and Capillaria (0.33%) spp. The parasite eggs were identified morphologically under microscope. The different in the prevalence of positive and negative samples were found statistically insignificant ( χ2= =51.62, P <0.05, d.f. =14). Single infection was observed in 216 (90.76%) samples, moderate infection in 14 (5.88%) samples and heavy infection 8 (3.66%) samples.