Study on helminth parasites in general and liver fluke (Fasciolo sp.) in particular on cattle of Mukundapur VDC-02, Nawalparasi

Abstract

Cattle (Bos indicus) being an important source of milk and as draft animals in the rural areas of Nepal has been considered in the present thesis. The outcomes from this species is badly affected by the helminth parasites. The current study was carried out to observe the seasonal prevalence of helminth parasites in general and liver fluke (Fasciola sp.) in particular which is considered as a major aspect of productivity loss. Two different techniques were used during the detection of helminth parasites. These were simple floatation and sedimentation technique. There were 100 samples collected during each month of September and January. The seasonal prevalence of helminth parasites during September and January were 70% and 60% respectively. During September 82.85% of infection were caused by trematodes, 12.86% by cestodes and 41.42% by nematodes. Likewise 65%, 11.67% and 50% of infections were caused by trematodes, cestodes and nematodes respectively during January. Cestode genera Anoplocephala was reported for the first time in cattle from Nepal. Among the total positive samples 49.43% were found to have single infection and rest 50.77% have mixed infection by 2-4 different genera. Most of the single and mixed infections were due to Fasciola sp. The overall prevalence percentage follows as: Trematodes: Fasciola sp. (55.38%), Schistosoma sp. (37.69%), Dicrocoelium sp. (1.54%), Paramphistomum sp. (3.85%), Ornithobilharzia sp. (0.77%), Cestodes: Dipylidium sp. (7.69%), Taenia sp. (4.62%), Moniezia sp. (1.54%), Anoplocephala sp. (0.77%). Nematodes: Trychostryngylus sp.(10.77%), Strongyloides sp. (9.23%), Chabertia sp. (5.38%), Toxocara sp. (1.54%), Ostertagia sp. (4.62%), Bunostomum sp. (1.54%), Dictyocaulus sp.(9.23%), Haemonchus sp. (0.77%), Ascaris sp. (4.62%), Capillaria sp. (2.31%), Cooperia sp. (3.85%), Oesophagostomum sp. (0.77%), Trichuris sp. (3.08%). The difference in prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica during two seasons were found statistically significant. (χ2 = 12.86, P<0.05, d.f. = 1).