PREVALENCE OF NEMATODE INFESTATION IN GOATS REARED IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

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1 PREVALENCE OF NEMATODE INFESTATION IN GOATS REARED IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA ABSTRACT Adua 1, M. M. and Hassan 2, D. I. 1 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Nigeria 2 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture P.M.B. 033 Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. *corresponding author: mangonlen@yahoo.com, A study on nematodes infestation was conducted from May 2014 to April 2015 in some Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. In this study, a total of 1728 fecal samples (864 Red sokoto and 864) West African dwarf goats were examined for nematode helminths in the study area during the two seasons. The overall nematodes infestation rate were 280 (32.40%) and 147 (17.01%) in Red sokoto goats and West African Dwarf goats respectively. The highest prevalence rates recorded in Red sokoto goats was 7.27% in Awe LGA, followed by 5.18, 4.98, 4.28, 3.59, 2.78, 2.43, 1.20% in Lafia, Doma, Karu, Keffi, Nasarawa, Akwanga and Wamba LGAs respectively. The same parasites were found in both breeds of goats. The result of the study revealed high prevalence rate (35.65%) in female followed by (22.22%) in male Red sokoto goats while West African dwarf goats had (15.27%) in male and (18.05%) in female. The influence of sex was not significantly different. Sex did not really have direct influence on epidemiology of helminths except that ewes contributed to pasture contamination and enhanced transmission of infection during pregnancy and lactation through pre-paturient rise in faecal egg output. The prevalence rate of nematode infection in kids, and adults were 24.53, and 17.82% in Red Sokoto goats while West African Dwarf goats had 14.58, and 8.33% in kids, and adults respectively. The highest prevalence rates recorded in Red sokoto goats was (46.07%) in late rainy season followed by 22.14, 20.71, and 11.07% in early rainy season, early dry and late dry season respectively, while the highest prevalence rates recorded in West African Dwarf goats was 44.22% late rainy season followed by 25.17, and 10.88% in early rainy season, early dry and late dry season. The study showed that Haemonchus contortus is a major problem of Red sokoto and West African Dwarf goats in the study area. Therefore; comprehensive study on GIT parasites, cost, treatment and awareness creation to the farmers should be instituted in the study area. Keywords: Prevalence, Nematode, Red Sokoto Goats, Dwarf Goats. INTRODUCTION Goats are important in subsistence agriculture on account of their unique ability to adapt and maintain themselves under harsh environmental conditions. They promote crop production by supplying farm manure, raw materials to the agro-allied industries and their manure as source of bio-gas. They also play important socio-cultural roles that are difficult to quantify monetarily; such as their use for ceremonies and festivals, sacrifices and rituals, and serve as insurance against crop failure (Nawathe et al., 1985; FDLCS, 1991 and Rim, 1992; Hassan et al., 2013). They are also used for teaching and research. Nematodes (round worms) are free-living unsegmented worms, which have cylindrical form, tapering at either ends. Their body is covered with a colourless, somewhat translucent layer called the cuticle, are elongated in shape and an alimentary canal is present (Urquhart et al., 1997). They have separate sexes and exhibit both direct and indirect life-cycle, are found in fresh water, the sea and the soil and are among the most successful parasites of plants and animals (Soulsby, 1982). Gastro-intestinal nematodes of greatest importance in small ruminants are Haemonchus, Oesophagustomum, Chabertia, Strongyloides, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Gaigeria, Dictyocaulus and Nematodirus (Soulsby, 1982; Hunter, 1994; Hassan et al., 2013). Infections with gastro-intestinal nematodes can have detrimental effect on animal health (Lüscher et al., 2005), leading to clinical and sub-clinical diseases, that may result in financial loss and overall decreased productivity (Hassan et al., 2013; Rahmann et al. 2002)and Fabiyi (1987) stated that among the helminths, nematodes caused the greatest problem in ruminants in the tropics. In temperate climates, ruminant s nematodes infection is associated with reduced productivity (Berrag and Cabaret, 1998). Hayat et al. (1996) reported that manifestation of the adverse effects on productivity include haematological disorders and loss of weight. Research in developing countries around the world has shown that amongst domestic animals, goats also suffer more frequently from nematode infections. In contrast, in Nigeria little published information exists and data on the prevalence aspect of parasitic infestations, particularly on nematode is rare. Keeping in view the importance of the disease, the present study aimed at the prevalence of nematode in Red sokoto and West African dwarf goats in Nasarawa State (Nigeria) in relation to variation of seasons, sex, age and location. NJAFE VOL. 12 No. 3,

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area This study was conducted in Akwanga, Awe, Doma, Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Lafia, Nasarawa and Wamba Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The geographical area is largely inhabited by people whose main occupation is subsistence agriculture; the natives are also small ruminant livestock farmers. However, some persons within the areas are artisans, civil servants, traditionalists and herbalists. The samples were collected from goats reared in Akwanga, Awe, Doma, Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Lafia, Nasarawa and Wamba Local Government Areas. The samples were collected in both dry and wet season. The dry season is from November to April and the wet season from May to October. During the period study most of the rains fell between the months of May and October. The driest months were December, January and March. The mean relative humidity varied from 36-86% with the lowest values from December to April. The mean monthly maximum temperatures were between 31.8 C and 39.1 C and minimum from 17.1 C to 26.2 C (NIMET, 2009) (Table 1). Faecal sample collection and analysis A total of 1728 faecal samples from goats (864 Red sokoto and 864 West African dwarf goats) were examined for nematode helminths during the two seasons from May 2010 to April Faecal samples for the examination were collected manually and directly from the rectum of the animal or from the ground only if the animal passed out the faeces immediately, according to Ikeme, (1980). This according to him is to avoid contamination and obscurity in egg counts. Ages were determined using information from sheep and goats owners and the dentition procedure as described by Sastry and Thomas, (1980). The sex and age of the goats were noted and marked on the sample containers, collected faecal samples were packed in sample bottles, cellophane bags, properly screwed and air tied to exclude air and taken to the laboratory for egg count as described by Hansen and Perry (1990). Data analysis The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical description using percentages and charts as contained in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 17, 2011) in determining the prevalence rates in the sex, age and seasons. Table 1: Mean monthly weather elements in Lafia (May 2014 April 2015) Month Rainfall (mm) Temperature ( C) Relative Humidity (%) Max Min May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, Source: College of Agriculture Lafia, meteorological station (2015) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Prevalence of infestation with nematodes by location is shown in Fig. 1. The overall nematodes infection rate were 280 (32.40%) and 147 (17.01%) in Red sokoto goats and West African Dwarf goats respectively. There were variations in the levels of helminthosis in goats raised in different local government area. The highest prevalence rates recorded in Red sokoto goats were 7.27% in Awe followed by 5.18, 4.98, 4.28, 3.59, 2.78, 2.43, 1.20% in Lafia, Doma, Karu, Keffi, Nasarawa, Akwanga and Wamba respectively, while the least prevalence was in Kokona 0.69%. The highest prevalence rates recorded in West African Dwarf goats were 2.90% in Awe followed by 2.69, 2.23, 2.20, 2.08, 1.85, 1.42 and 1.06% in Lafia, Akwanga, Nasarawa, Doma, Keffi, Karu, and Wamba respectively, while the least prevalence was in Kokona 0.58% Fig. 1. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in prevalence rate between the two species of goats and infection rate among the local governments; the same parasites were found in both species and study areas. However, reports from Ethiopia (Teklye, 1991) and elsewhere (Waruiru et al., 2005; Asif et al., 2008) indicated significant species and location difference. The high rate of prevalence of infection among the goats studied could be attributed to poor management practices and lack of veterinary services in the area (Osakwe and Anyigor, 2007). NJAFE VOL. 12 No. 3,

3 Infection rate (%) Infection rate (%) Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 12(3): Red Sokoto Goats West African Dwarf Goats Local Govement Area Fig.1: Prevalence by location in red Sokoto and West African dwarf goats Table 2: Infestation rate of nematodes in red Sokoto and West African dwarf goats Red Sokoto Goats West African Dwarf Goats Species No. of positive Infestation rate No. of positive Infestation rate Sample (%) sample (%) Overall Ascaris lumbricoides Bunostomum Chabertia Haemonchus Oesophagostomum Strongyloides Trichostrongylus Table 3: Prevalence by sex and age in red sokoto and west african dwarf goats. Variables Red Sokoto Goats West African Dwarf Goats No. Examined No. Affected % of Infestation No. Examined No. Affected % of Infestation Sex Male Female Age < 6 months months >12 months Early Dry Late Dry EarlyRain Late Rain Seasons Red Sokoto Goats West African Dwarf Goats Fig.2: Prevalence by Season in Red sokoto and West African dwarf goats. Table 2 showed prevalence nematode species viz; Ascaris lumbricoides, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia, Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum columbianum, Strogyloides papillosus, Trichostrongylus columbriformis, have similarly been reported in sheep and goats in other parts of Nigeria (Fabiyi 1970; 1973, NJAFE VOL. 12 No. 3,

4 Fakae 1990, Fakae and Chiejina 1991, Nwosu et al. 1996), Australia (Besier and Love, 2003; Bhilai (Pathak et al., 2000), France (Silvestee et al., 2000), Senegal (Ndao et al., 1991) and India (Jilhendran and Bhat, 2001). The results of this study showed highest prevalence rate (18.75%) Haemonchus contortus was recorded in Red sokoto goats and (10.07%) was in West African Dwarf goats. The least prevalence rate (0.61%) Bunostumum trigonocephalus was recorded in Red sokoto goats and (0.35%) in West African Dwarf goats. The high prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in this study was in line with the observation of Osakwe and Anyigor (2007) in Nigeria. A significant difference in the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus has been recorded between different breeds of sheep and goats. The results of present study revealed high prevalence rate (35.65%) in female followed by (22.22%) in male Red sokoto goats while West African dwarf goats had (15.27%) in male and (18.05%) in female (Table 3).The influence of sex was not significantly different. According to Boag and Thomas (1971), sex does not really have direct influence on epidemiology of helminths except that ewes contribute to pasture contamination and enhance transmission of infection during pregnancy and lactation through peripaturient rise in faecal egg output. The absence of sex difference in infection is also consistent with other s reports (Keyyu et al., 2003; Regassa et al., 2006; Ghanem et al., 2009; Hassan et al., 2013). However, Dagnachew et al. (2011) reported higher prevalence of helminth infection in females. The prevalence rate of nematode infection in calves, yearlings and adults were 24.53, and 17.82% in Red Sokoto goats while West African Dwarf goats had and 8.33% in kids, and adults respectively. There was a reasonable difference in prevalence rate among the ages, the species of goats and infection rate among the local government areas; Schmidt and Roberts (1985) reported that kids may have a higher risk of infection. The rate of infection observed may be as a result of the level of exposure of the kids to contaminated pasture, soil and water. This observation was in line with the report of Schnidt et al. (2000) on the influence of sanitation and environmental condition on transmission and egg development and survival of parasite egg and larva in agrarian agro-ecosystem. This is also similar to the reports of Lah (2003) and Dafur (2006) higher prevalence in young than adult sheep and goats. Dough and Morum (1993) also reported higher infection rates in lambs than in adult sheep. Prevalence of infection with nematodes by season is shown in Fig. 2. The highest prevalence rates recorded in Red sokoto goats was 46.07% in late rainy season followed by 22.14, 20.71, and 11.07% in early rain, early dry and late dry season respectively, whereas the highest prevalence rates recorded in West African dwarf goats was 44.22% late rainy season followed by 25.17, and 10.88% in early rainy season, early dry and late dry season respectively. However, the effect of season on infection rate in both species was significant (P<0.05). The study showed that nematode infection in the wet season is higher than in dry season in both Red sokoto goats and West African dwarf goats owing to the general understanding that moisture is one of the bionomic factor that support the development of the infective stage of most parasites (Hansen and Perry, 1990; Hassan et al., 2013). Dagnachew et al. (2011) from northwest Ethiopia reported that, high rain fall also help in providing suitable molarities of salt present in sheep and consistent in goats and it could also be attributed to differences in management. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The result will be of great assistance in understanding the epidemiology of the gastro intestinal nematodes infection in and around Nasarawa state and will be of potential significance in pasture and grazing management. Strategic treatment is appropriate, effective and broad spectrum anthelmintic should be administered at the beginning and after the end of the rainy season. Such treatment regime is strategic to get rid of the parasites burden of the animals and minimize pasture contamination by dropping fecal egg count. Farmers and veterinarians should be aware of the importance and burden of nematodes infection especially Haemonchus contortus which has the highest prevalence in both Red sokoto and West African Dwarf goats. 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