A Study on Intestinal Helminth Parasites of Buffaloes Brought to Satungal (Kathmandu) for Slaughter Purpose

Abstract

Bubalus bubalis (buffalo) is one of the leading species of domestic livestock in Nepal. The helminthic diseases are most varied and of common occurrence in buffaloes. Present study was carried out to find the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites in 262 stool samples of buffaloes during July to August 2006.Both sedimentation and floatation technique were used for the detection of helminth parasites. A total of 262 stool samples were collected during the study period and examined. The overall prevalence of helminth parasites was found 83.96%. There is significant difference in the prevalence of trematode, cestode and nematode infections among buffaloes. The parasitic infection of trematode was 90.90%, cestode 14.54% and of nematode 49.09%.

Trematodes, Dicrocoelium lanceatum and Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum are reported for the first time from Nepal. However, no work regarding these species have been reported from any host.

Although trematode Skrjabinema ovis, Fischoederius elongatus and nematodes, Chabertia ovina, Dictyocaulus sp and Capillaria sp has been reported from various hosts sheep, cattle and goat but not reported from buffalo. So, S. ovis, F. elongatus, C. ovina, Dictyocaulus sp. and Capillaria sp. are reported for the first time from the host buffalo in Nepal.

The trematode genus identified with their prevalence percentage are as follows; Fasciola sp. 32.06%, Paramphistomum sp. 15.64%, Dicrocoelium sp. 20.61%, Schistosoma sp. 46.94%, Gastrothylax sp. 0.76%, Fischoederius sp 0.38%, Ornithobilharzia sp. 0.76% and Skrjabinema sp. 6.87% respectively. Among Cestode, only Moniezia species was observed with infection rate 13.35%. Nematode included Strongyloides sp. 4.19%, Trichostrongylus sp. 1.90%, Toxocara sp. 22.90%, Ascaris sp. 6.87%, Chabertia sp. 0.38%, Trichuris sp. 2.29%, Dictyocaulus sp. 0.76%, Oesophagostomum sp. 0.76%, Capillaria sp. 0.38%, Haemonchus sp. 1.14%, Ostertagia sp. 1.52% and Cooperia sp. 0.76%.

Mixed infections were observed among 140 positive samples. Among trematode, Dicrocoelium lanceatum and Fasciola hepatica found to be heavily infected. In cestode, Moniezia benedeni and nematode, Toxocara vitulorum found to be heavily infected in buffaloes.