Prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal helminths in wild and domestic guineafowls (Numida meleagris) in the Southern Province of Zambia

Objective: To determine the gastrointestinal tract helminthic fauna in domestic and wild guineafowl in Zambia.Methods: Post-mortem and laboratory parasitological examinations for helminth identification and enumeration were conducted on 198 guineafowls(148 domestic and 50 wild) from November 2010 to October 2011.Results: All guineafowls were infested with one or more helminths. Eleven helminth species, namely, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina tetragona, Raillietina cesticillus, Ascaridia galli, Allodapa suctoria, Gongylonema ingluvicola, Tetrameres spp., Heterakis spp., Acuaria spiralis, Syngamus trachea, and Streptocara pectinifera were identified with no trematodes recorded. Mean nematode burden between domestic and wild fowl showed no differences having 113.7 [confidence interval(CI) 98.9-128.6] and 108(CI 76.6-139.5) nematodes respectively. In contrast, female guineafowls had a mean of 151.9(CI 128.4-177.8) nematodes per host which was significantly more than the males that had a mean of 79.6(CI 66.8-94.4). However, there were differences in helminth species richness between domestic and wild guineafowls with domestic guineafowls having more species present at a mean of 4.2(CI 3.91-4.44) than the wild ones at a mean of 3.4(CI 2.92-3.88) but there were no sex differences. Eight of the eleven helminth species co-occurred in domestic and wild fowl and five of the helminth species had higher prevalence in domestic guineafowls.Conclusions: Syngamus trachea, Streptocara pectinifera and Acuaria spiralis are reported for the first time in domestic poultry in Zambia. This study represents the first comparative study of helminths in domestic and wild guineafowls at an interface area and adds to the knowledge base in a discipline where a dearth currently exists.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Horses of Central Mexico

Equines are affected by a large number of endoparasites, these can cause gastrointestinal signs, respiratory, poor performance, slow growth and even cause sudden death. The presence of parasites can be associated with various factors related to the animal and environmental or geographical factors. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection and risk factors in horses were evaluated. Stool samples belonging to 218 horses from different regions of central Mexico were analyzed by coproparasitological concentration-flotation technique. The fecal examinations were carried out from February to August in 2017. Among the 218 samples that were examined, 103 (47.24%) were found to be positive with several gastrointestinal parasites, with Strongylus spp. being the most prevalent (23.85%) followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (21.56%) and Parascaris spp. (11.93%). Breed and place of origin were significantly associated with helminth infection. Sex was associated as a significant risk factor (p < 0.01) with the infection by Strongylus spp. on females and by Anoplocephala, on males. In central Mexico, gastrointestinal helminth infection appears to be relatively low.

The Occurence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Slaughtered Cattle in Azare, North-East Nigeria

A Cross-sectional Study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal(G.I.)helminths parasites in slaughtered cattle at Azare abattoir,Katagum Local Government Area,Bauchi State,North-Eastern Nigeria.One hundred and twenty faecal samples were examined using the floatation and sedimentation method.Out of the total samples tested,G.I.helminths infections were detected in 62 samples tested,giving an overall prevalence of 51.6%.Class nematodes are the most diverse class(56.5%),followed by trematodes(35.5%),while cestodes are the least prevalent(8.1%).There was a statistically significant difference in G.I.helminths’prevalence among different classes(p<0.05).Concerning sex and age,there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of G.I.helminths infection affecting the cattle(p>0.05).The Red Bororo breeds had the highest prevalence of 75%,while the least was recorded in White Fulani and Sokoto Gudali,40%each.There was a statistically significant difference in G.I helminth infection’s prevalence rate to breed(p<0.05).This study revealed that Fasciola spp.(15%)is the most prevalent G.I.helminths parasites detected,followed by Oesophagostomum spp(11.7%);Haemonchus spp.(9.2%);Strongyloides spp.(8.3%),Schistosoma spp.(3.3%);and Moniezia spp.(1.67%).Our findings from the present study revealed a high prevalence of G.I.helminths species affecting cattle in Azare,North-East Nigeria.Therefore,there is a great need for proper advocacy on appropriate management,regular deworming practices,and improved cattle hygiene to boost animal production.This will help in curbing significant loss to Nigeria’s economy and the world in general.