Trematode Infections in Aquatic Snails and Buffaloes: A Case Study of Ramgram Municipality, Nawalparasi, West Nepal

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Ramgram Municipality, Nawalparasi during July to October 2008. Freshwater snails were examined to determine the occurrence of larval trematodes and faecal samples of domestic buffaloes were examined for parasitic eggs. A total of 2921 freshwater snails belonging to eight (8) species were collected from temporary ditches and drainages along the road side. Altogether 92 (3.15%) snail individuals harboured patent trematode infections. Lymnaea sp. had the highest overall prevalence of infection 34 (7.26%), followed by Indoplanorbis exustus (3.08%), Segmentina sp. (3.03%), Gyraulus sp. (2.01%), Gabia orcula (1.60%). No parasite infection was recorded in Bellamya bengalensis, Bellamya dissimilis and Pila globosa. The most common six (6) morphotypes of cercariae were identified. They are Longifurcate-pharyngeate (Strigea) cercaria, Brevifurcate-apharyngeate (Schistosoma) cercaria, Brevifurcate-pharyngeate (Clinostomoid) cercaria Gymnocephalous (Fasciola) cercaria, Amphistome cercaria and Xiphidiocercaria.

Examined 735 fecal samples of domestic buffaloes showed 189 (25.71%) of total samples were positive for faecal infection. Among positive infections, 146 (19.86%) samples contained trematode egg (Fasciola sp.) infection. Other remaining 43 eggs other than Fasciola were not confirmed and not specified during the study. The prevalence of Fasciola egg infection was maximum in September (38.09%) followed by August (26.98%), October (19.01%) and July (15.87%)