Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
847
PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN
CATTLE AND BUFFALOES IN THI-QAR PROVINCE, SOUTH
OF IRAQ
Jalil A. Gatie, Zainab S. Nejiban ,Khalid M Abed ,Rawa A. Abbas
,Riyam M. Hadi , Abdul-sattar M. Afrawy and Yasmin F. Mohsen
..Veterinary hospital in Thi-qar, Ministry of agriculture ,Thi-qar,Iraq
Corresponding Author: jalelabd00@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal
parasites in large ruminants ( cattle and buffalo ) in Thi-Qar province south of Iraq .
For this purpose, 628 fecal samples were collected including 312 from buffaloes and
316 from cattle, from different areas of Thi-Qar Province between February 2017 and
February 2018. Parasitological procedures used for the identification of helminthes
were direct and indirect methods(Flotation and sedimentation techniques). The results
revealed that the prevalence of GI parasitic infestation were 54.7% in cattle and
23.71% in buffalo ,Moreover Fasciola spp. was the most prevalent GI parasite in both
cattle and buffaloes. Parasitic infestation was recorded throughout the year with
seasonal variations.
INTRODUCTION
Cattle and buffaloes are regarded as economically important animals because they
are multipurpose animals providing milk, meat and good quality hides (1).
Domestic ruminants due to improper management, unhygienic conditions and
improper use of anthelminthic drugs, are suffering from various helminthes parasitic
infestations and mostly infection occurs when they drinking water and grazing near
the ponds. Mature worm produce eggs that are passed to field in the feces or stool.
Under favourable conditions the egg will hatch and larva transmitted to intermediate
host lymnaeid snails and by snail infects many cattle and buffalo as well as man,
anthelminthic treatment are used to reduce the shedding of parasitic eggs in the feces
and will reduce pasture contamination (2,3).
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
848
Gastro intestinal infection with various types of gastro- intestinal parasites in cattle
and buffaloes is a worldwide problem, gastro-intestinal nematodes such as
Trichostrongylus spp., and flukes such as Fasciola spp. are the most common
parasites in ruminants(4).
Buffaloes suffer from various intestinal protozoan infections(5). Moreover, some
helminthes of buffaloes are also transmissible (directly or indirectly) to humans where
they can cause significant clinical diseases, such as schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in
a number of countries (6)
The effects of parasitism can be sub clinical , clinical or chronic, productivity losses
through decreased inappentence lead to problems of feed and water intake, whilst
protein losses due to gastrointestinal damage diminishes availabilities for growth and
decreased efficiency in feed utilization due to subclinical infections that are
responsible for economic losses(7). Losses in animal productivity(milk production,
weight gain, altered carcass composition, conception rate, etc.) are all sub clinical
effects; whereas, visible, disease-like symptoms (roughness of coat, anaemia, oedema,
diarrhea) are clinical effects. The sub clinical effects are of major economic
importance to the producer(8). The types of disease and parasites outbreaks among
animal populations are greatly influenced by the geographic location and seasons(9).
Moreover, climatic conditions like ambient temperature and rainfall patterns have
great influence on the pasture and the food resources availability cycle throughout the
year (10).
Aims of the study
A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic
infections in Cattle and buffaloes of Thi-Qar province. Further studies are needed for
planning future research and to design rational and prospective locally GI parasites
control programmers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted between February 2017 and February 2018 from various
districts of Thi-Qar province (Al-Nasiriya–Al-Shatra- Suq-Alshuyook- Sayed dekeel
–Al-Naser - Al-Fhood and ALhammar),. 628(involving 312 from buffaloes and 316
from cattle) fresh fecal samples(about 30 g) were collected from rectum and stored
in plastic containers and refrigerated at 4°C and transported to the laboratories of ThiBasrah
Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
849
qure veterinary hospital. The samples were processed and screened by direct smear
method and ova of parasites were identified through their morphological features(11).
Flotation technique with saturated NaCl method was conducted to detect the
nematodes eggs, while the Fecal Sedimentation Technique was carried out for the
detection of Trematode eggs (12).
RESULTS
Out of a total (628) fecal sample were collected and examined involving (312) from
buffaloes and (316) from cattle. In buffaloes there were 64(22.7%) sample positive for
gastro intestinal parasites, while in cattle there were 173(45.7%) sample positive .
The prevalence of gastro-intestinal-helminthes in cattle within different districts of
Thi-Qar Province, significant (P<0.05) among four districts, the highest in Al-Shatra
(68.3%)followed by Al-Naser (63.6%),Al-Nasiriya(52.7%) and less infestation in Suk
-Alshuyook (33.3%).As in table (1).
Table(1):- Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in cattle within different Thi-Qar
districts.
Region Examined No. Total positive
Al-Nasiriya 241 127(52.7%)
Al-Shatra 41 28(68.3%)
Al-Naser 22 14(63.6%)
Suk Alshuyook 12 4(33.3%)
Total 316 173(54.7%)
While in buffaloes the prevalence of gastro-intestinal-parasites were highest in
AL-Nasiriya (69.7%) followed by Al-Hammer(32.4%), and less infestation in Al-
Garraf (0%) and Al-Shatra7 (8.9%) as in table (2 ).
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
850
Table (2):-Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in buffalo within Thi-Qar districts.
Region Examined No. Total positive
AL Nasiriya 66 46(69.7%)
Al-Shatra 79 7(8.9%)
Al-Garraf 59 0
Al-Fuhood 32 3(9.4%)
Suk-Alshuyook 42 7(16.7%)
Al-Hammar 34 11 (32.4%)
Total 312 74(23.71%)
Fasciola spp. is the most prevalence parasites in cattle of Thi-Qar Province
followed by Trichostrongylus spp. and lastly Ascaris spp. as in table(3):-
Table (3):- Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in cattle within different
districts of Thi-Qar Province.
Region Fasciola
Spp.
Nematod.
Spp.
Ostertagia
Spp.
Oesopha.
Spp.
Strongylus
Spp.
Tricho
Spp.
Ascaris
Spp.
Total
Al-Nasiriya 26 3 5 8 1 19 1 127
Al-Shatra 3 - 7 7 2 4 - 28
Al-Naser 6 - 2 - 2 4 - 14
Suk-Alshouk - - 3 - - - 1 4
Total 35(20.2%) 3(1.8%) 17(10.55% 15(9.31%) 5(2.9%) 27(15.6%) 2(1.24%) 173
In buffaloes all the positive samples were Fasciola spp. as shown in table(4):-
Table(4):-Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in buffaloes within different
districts of Thi-Qar province
Region Fasciola spp.
Al-Nasiriya 46
Al-Shatra 7
Suk alshuyook 7
Al-Fhood 3
Al-hammar
11
Total 74
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
851
The seasonal effect on gastrointestinal parasitism in cattle and buffaloes
Were recorded in table(5 and 6).
Table (5):Seasonal prevalence of G.I.T parasites in cattle of Thi-Qar province
Season Number of samples Total positive Percentage
Winter 74 17 23%
Spring 73 52 71.2%
Summer 111 57 51.35%
Autumn 58 47 81%
Total 316 173 54.74%
Table (6):Seasonal prevalence of G.I.T parasites in buffaloes of Thi-Qar Province.
Season Number of samples Total positive Percentage
Winter 49 5 10.2%
Spring 74 26 35.1%
Summer 98 16 16.3%
Autumn 91 27 29.7%
Total 312 74 23.71%
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of internal parasites in
cattle and buffaloes in Thi-Qure Province, because there were very limited studies on
the survey of G.I.T parasites in cattle and buffaloes in Iraq and Arab nation.
Helminthes infections in cattle and buffaloes are recognized as a major qualifications
to livestock production. Usually, infections are subclinical with significant economic
losses because of both high mortality and reduced productivity of animals (13,14).
Prevalence of GI helminthes has been reported ranging.from (0.72 to 67%) in
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
852
domestic animals from different parts of the world, and depends on the climatic
conditions and management practices (15).
In our study the prevalence of G.I. parasitic infection in cattle and buffalo
Similarly reports were recorded by(16),(17)and(18)which suggest that the climate in
this region is exclusively contributive for the development and spread of internal
parasites in cattle and buffaloes. There were other factors which might be taking
charge of the prevalence of GI parasites which involve constant exposure of
infections, continuous deposit of infections on the pastures by adult animals as well as
poor animal husbandry practices adopted by the farmers.The present study showed
that the highest prevalence of helminthes was recorded in cattle followed by buffaloes
because of higher proportion of time spend on grazing by cattle as compared to
buffaloes which are grazed proportionally less and kept mainly in stalls for feeding in
the present study area. The highest infection of helminthes in case of cattle is in
agreement with(16) who reported 51.29,(19) who reported 67.22% infection and(20)
who reported 83.46% infection.
In Fasciola spp.(17.15%) this results agreed with (21) and (17) and disagreed with
(22) and (23).
In buffalo the result is lower than(24), (25) and (26) respectively, and agreed with
(27). This might be due to higher level of innate resistance to helminthes by buffaloes,
and deworming with anti-helmintic drugs or sometimes strategic anthelmintic therapy
contributed less parasitic infection in crossbred buffalo, deworming of buffalo is done
by field veterinarians, Para-veterinarians(Assistants) and farmers themselves(28).
The climate constitute crucial factor which greatly influence the life cycle of the
parasite and the transmission of endo-parasites. Therefore, our observations are in
agreement with(29) that demonstrated that the season played a significant role in
determining helminthes community species rate in cattle and buffalo.
In our study, the prevalence of parasitic infections in cattle and buffalo were more
in spring and autumn which was in agreement with the reports of (30), (31),(27)
and(24) .This results might be due to adequate -moisture and optimum temperature
which favored the growth and survival of infective stages, and leading to more
contamination of the pasture. The variations among the findings might be due to the
Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research,Vol.17, No.3,2018
Proceeding of 6th International Scientific Conference,College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Basrah,Iraq
853
difference in the geographical situation (soil and water), techniques of sample
collection, availability, of intermediate host, period and place of study, environmental
factors and breed of the animals (24).
Conclusions
The current study showed a presence of various species of G.I parasites in cattle
and buffalo and high rate of gastrointestinal parasitic infestations in cattle of Thi-Qar
Province in compared with buffaloes. These results indicate the need to establish
efficient control measures that improve animal health and performance by using antiparasitic
medications for dropping the gastrointestinal parasitism of cattle and
buffaloes .
انتشار الاصابة بالطفیلیات الداخلیة المعویة فی الابقار والجاموس فی محافظة ذی قار فی
جنوب العراق
جلیل عبد غاطی ، زینب شیال نجیبان، خالد مزھر عبد، رواء علی عباس ، ریام محسن ھادی
،عبد الستار محمد عفراو ی ، یاسمین فلاح محسن.
.دائرة البیطرة. المستشفى البیطری فی محافظة ذی قار، وزارة الزراعة
الخلاصة
اجریت ھذه الدراسة لتحدید نسبة انتشار الطفیلیات المعویة فی المجترات الکبیرة(الابقار والجاموس) فی محافظة ذی
قار. جمعت ٦٢٨ عینة براز لھذا الغرض وتضمنت ٣١٢ عینة من الجاموس و ٣١٦ عینة من الابقار، من مناطق
مختلفة من محافظة ذی –قار خلال الفترة الواقعة بین شباط ٢٠١٧ الى شباط ٢٠١٨ . وتم التشخیص بواسطة استخدام
طرق التشخیص الطفیلی التی تشتمل على الطریقة المباشرة والطرق غیر المباشرة(التطویف والترسیب). اظھرت
النتائج ان نسبة الاصابة فی الابقار بلغت ٥٤.٧ % وبلغت النسبة فی الجاموس ٢٣.٧١ % . استغرقت الدراسة سنة
واظھرت النتائج التغییرات فی نسبة الاصابة خلال الفصول المختلفة .سجلت النتائج ان دیدان الکبد کانت الاکثر
% انتشارا فی النوعین الحیوانیین وبلغت نسبة الاصابة ٢٠.٢
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