A Prevalence of Gastro Intestinal Nematode Parasitic Infections In Horses and Donkeys in and Around Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia

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1 Middle-East Journal of Applied Sciences 3 (3): 38-43, 017 ISSN XXXX-XXXX IDOSI Publications, 017 DOI: /idosi.mejas A Prevalence of Gastro Intestinal Nematode Parasitic Infections In Horses and Donkeys in and Around Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia Sisay Asefa and Fitsum Dulo Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box No. 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia Abstract: A cross sectional study was carried out from November 016 to April 017 in and around Bishoftu town to determine the prevalence of gastro intestinal (GIT) nematode parasite and to identify infection association with species, sex, age and body condition in horse and donkey. A total of 384 donkeys and horses (157 donkeys and 1 horses) were randomly selected and examined during the study period. During coprologicalexamination, floatation technique was employed and the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was found to be 75.8% (91 from 384) with 83.7% in donkeys and 69.3% in horses. The prevalence documented for Strongyle parasite was 80.% and 66.5%, for Parascaris equorum 5.0% and 15.1% and for oxyurisequi 8.7% and 5.% in donkeys and horses, respectively. Among the potential risk factors analyzed, species (P=0.003) and age (P=0.036) of the animal was associated significantly with GIT nematode infection occurrence while sex and body condition score was not significantly associated with the risk of infection with GIT nematodes (P>0.05).The significantly higher occurrence of GIT nematode parasite in young age (84.1%) groups (P<0.05) was recorded as compared to adult (71.3%) and old age groups (64.0%). In conclusion, the current study revealed higher prevalence of GIT nematode parasites of horses and donkeys in the study area. Therefore, regular strategic deworming, improvement of existing husbandry practice and awareness creation to animal owners were recommended. Key words: Donkey Gastro Intestinal Nematode Parasites Horse Bishoftu Prevalence Risk Factor INTRODUCTION to 4 persons in a single trip. They are provided with grasses during the night and allowed to graze on pasture There are about 11.5 million domestic equidae in the town fringe during the day and some horse owner world of which 44.3 million donkeys, 58.5 million horses provides only the grain or mixed. Donkeys often are and the remaining are mules [1, ]. The number of equines involved in more multipurpose activities than horses. in Africa is in the range of 17.6 million comprising 11.6 They transport goods to and from markets, farms and million donkeys,.3 million mules and 3.7 million horses shops, traveling long distances. They also pull carts [3]. According to recent estimates, Ethiopia was home for carrying heavy loads 3 to 4 times their body weight. They about.03 million horses, 7.43 million donkeys and 0.4 work from 4 to 1 hours/day, depending on the season million mules in the sedentary areas [4]. and type of work []. Equines as a means of transport for men and materials Although equines have great contributions to provide livelihood to a number of rural and semi urban national economy in the country, parasitic helminthes population of the world. They have a prominent position are one of the most common factors that hinder the in agricultural systems of many developing countries. It maximum utilization of these animals to their potential. is suggested that donkey can play a great role in the frame They cause various degrees of damage depending on the works of food security and social equity of high food in species, nutritional and the immune status of equines. secure countries. In areas away from roads, many people They decrease the performance and productivity in the use mules and donkeys to transport food and other animals mainly, in the reduction of body weight or failure supplies to villages [, 5]. Horses involved in pulling carts to gain weight or even increase the mortality in acute case often work continuously for 6 to 7 hours/day, carrying 3 [6]. Corresponding Author: Fitsum Dulo, Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box No. 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. 38

2 Middle-East J. Appl. Sci., 3 (3): 38-43, 017 Equines are hosts to great nematodes of the family Sample Size: The sample size was calculated according to Strongylidae, commonly called as Strongyle nematodes or Thrusfield [1] by considering 50% expected prevalence Strongyles. The most common gastro intestinal nematode since there was no previous work in study area and 5% parasites of equines include large strongyles, small absolute precision at 95 % confidence interval using the strongyle, Ascaris and pinworms (Oxyuris equi) [7]. following formula: The prevalence and type of internal parasites affecting eqiuds, in general, are ubiquitous with equines 1.96 pexp (1-pexp) being continually exposed throughout their live [8]. N = d Although some studies were conducted in the Bishoftu town on donkey, the prevalence of gastro intestinal where, nematode parasites affecting both horses and donkey N=required sample size, Pexp =expected prevalence, have not been determined to a great extent in and around d=absolute precision. Thus, by using the aforementioned the town. formula the estimated sample size should not be less than 384. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: To determine the prevalence of common Study Methodology: Fecal samples were collected directly gastrointestinal nematode parasites affecting donkey from the rectum into universal bottle using sterile and horses in and around Bishoftu town. disposable gloves. Each sample was labeled with To assess the risk factors associated with parasitic necessary information and immediately transported to infection in donkey and horses in the study area. the parasitology laboratory of College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, MATERIALS AND METHODS for coprological identification of parasite ova. Parasitological examination was done by direct smear Study Area: The study was done in and around Bishoftu and flotation techniques following the standard town of east Shoa zone of Oromia, from November 016 to procedures for nematode parasites and examined April 017. Bishoftu is located 45 km south east of Addis microscopically (10 and 40 ). Identification of Ababa. The area is located at 9 N latitude and 40 E the eggs was made on the basis of their morphology longitudes at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level in [13]. central high land of Ethiopia. It has an annual rainfall of 866 mm of which 84% is in the long rainy season (June to Data Management and Analysis: The collected data were September). The dry season extends from October to coded and entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet. February. The mean annual maximum and minimum Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version temperatures are 6 C and 14 C respectively, with mean 0 software packages (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). relatively humidity of 61.3% [9]. Percentage was used to calculate prevalence. Chi-square tests were applied to test the statistical association exists Study Design and Animals: A cross sectional study was among different parameter such as species, sex, age and conducted on 384 systematically selected horses and body condition scoring with the occurrence of the donkeys of all age group (1 cart horses and 17 infection. For all analyses, a P-value of less than 0.05 was donkeys). Information about species, age and body taken as significant. condition and sex of the study animals was gathered appropriately. The age of animals was determined using RESULTS owners information and dentition [10]. Accordingly, animals will be categorized as young (<4 years), adults The Overall Prevalence of GIT Nematode of Donkey and (>5 years) and old (>10) years. Body condition score Horse: An overall of 75.8% (91/384) equine (BCS) was subjectively estimated based on the guides gastrointestinal parasites prevalence was obtained in the published by Svendsen [11] as 1 (Emaciated), (Thin), 3 current study with 69.3% (147/1) and 83.7% (144/17) (Good), 4 (Fat) and 5 (Obese). Thus body condition was prevalence in horses and donkeys, respectively (Table 1). categorized into three groups as poor ( ), medium (3) There was statistically significant difference between and good ( 4) to represent BCS 1 and, 3, 4 and 5 species and age with occurrence of equine respectively. gastrointestinal parasites (P < 0.05). However, there was 39

3 Middle-East J. Appl. Sci., 3 (3): 38-43, 017 Table 1: Over all prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites in donkey and horse Animal Numbers of animals examined Numbers of positive animals Prevalence (%) x P-value Donkey Horse Total Table : Association of risk factor with occurrence of equine gastrointestinal parasites in and around Bishoftu town Risk factor Numberof Examined animals Number of positive animals (Prevalence %) x P-value Species Donkey (83.7) Horse 1 147(69.3) Sex Male 307 9(74.6) Female 77 6(80.5 Age <4 years 69 6(89.9) 5-10 years (73.) >10 years 50 35(50.0) BCS Poor 77 65(84.4) Medium 81 04(7.6) Good 6 (84.6) Table 3: The prevalence of each gastrointestinal nematode parasite with respective categories of the risk factors in the study area Strongyles Parascaris equorum Oxyruis equis Number Number Number Number Number Number Risk factor examined Positive (%) x (p-value) examined Positive (%) x (p-value) examined Positive (%) x (p-value) Species 9.00(0.003) 5.93(0.0109) Donkey (80.) 17 43(5.0) 17 15(8.7) 1.88(0.171) Horse 1 141(66.5) 1 3(15.1) 1 11(5.) Sex 0.34(0.557) 1.6(0.03) 0.8(0.36) male 307 1(7.0) 31 56(18.) (6.) female 77 58(75.3) 63 19(4.7) 77 7(9.1) Age 6.64(0.036) 4.79(0.009) 108(0.58) young 69 58(84.1) 77 9(9.0) 69 5(7.) adult (71.3) 58 46(17.4) 65 16(6.0) Old 50 3(76.9) 49 9(18.0) 50 5(10.0) Bcs 4.19(0.13) 0.41(0.81) 36.9(<0.001) Poor 76 61(80.3) 78 0(5.6) 69 17(.4) Medium 8 189(69.9) 80 49(17.5) 65 9(3.) Good 6 0(80.1) 6 3(11.5) 50 0(0.0) no statistical significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites between sex and among body condition (P>0.05) as presented in Table. respectively (Table 3). The important risk factors for the occurrence for strongyles were species (x =9.00; p=0.003) and age (x =6.64; p=0.036); for parascaris equorum: species (x =5.93; p=0.015); for Oxyruis equis: bodycondition score (x =36.9; p=0.000). Relative Proportions of Each Gastro Intestinal Nematode Parasites: During coprological examination, gastro intestinal nematode parasites ova of Strongyles, DISCUSSION Parascaris equi, Oxyuris equi and mixed infections of Strongyle+ Parascaris equi, Strongyles+ Oxyuris equi In the present study, an overall of 75.8% prevalence and Strongyles+ Parascaris equi+ Oxyuris equi were of gastrointestinal parasites with 83.8% in donkeys and identified. The prevalence in donkeys and horses were 69.3% in horses were recorded. The higher 80.% and 67.3% for strongyles, 5% and 15.1% for gastrointestinal parasites prevalence (75.8%) was in Parascaris equorum, 8.7% and 5.% for Oxyuris equi agreement with previous study conducted in Hawassa 40

4 Middle-East J. Appl. Sci., 3 (3): 38-43, 017 town [14] Kombolcha town [15] and South Wollo [16] respectively and higher than that of 44.8 % report in which had an overall prevalence rate of 7.7%, 76.04% and donkey in and around Batu town, East Shoa. The 70.4% respectively. However, our prevalence of prevalence of Strongyle-type eggs in horses was 66.5% gastrointestinal parasites is lower than the report from in the current study which is in close agreement with Dugda Bora district [6] and Gondar [17] where 98.% and 66.7% report [6] however; lower than previous work of 9.71% recorded respectively. Fikru et al. [0] who had reported prevalence rate of 91%. The higher gastrointestinal parasites prevalence The lower prevalence in the present study could be due (83.7%) observed in donkeys in the current study is fairly to all horses of this study were cart horses that are less in consistent with finding of 86.5%and 78.54% from in exposed and in some cases totally restricted from pasture. and around Kombolcha [18] and Hawassa town [14] The prevalence of Parascaris equorum in current respectively. But, it is higher than 33% report from study recorded as 15.1 % in horses was in close central Ethiopia [19] and lower than record of Ayele et al. agreement with previous prevalence report [4, 6] who [17], Fikiru et al. [0] and Wannas et al. [1] who had had reported 15.7% and 16.% respectively. However, our reported prevalence of 9.8%,100% and 100% result is lower than the prevalence reported in Ethiopia [6] respectively. The prevalence in horse (69.3%) observed in and in Lesotho [7] where 43.8% and 1.6 % prevalence the current study is higher than that of 60.5% [16] and rate reported respectively. The prevalence of Parascaris 55.7% [18] report whereas lower than 100% prevalence equorum was 5% in donkeys in the present study is report [1]. higher than that of 15.7% [6] and 17.3% [0] reportin This study recorded a statistically significant donkeys. In contrast to the low prevalence of Parascaris association of GIT nematode infection (x =9.781, P=0.008) equorum(5%) in donkey recorded in the current study, within young equine where age less than 4 years had the high prevalence rate of 4.9% [6] 43.5% [8] 50% [17] highest prevalence (89.9%). Moreover, significant 51% [9] and 51% [4] reported from five different sites in difference was also recorded between species of equine Ethiopia. The discrepancy in prevalence of Parascaris where donkey (83.7%) had relatively high rate of infection equorum from different finding in developing countries is with GIT nematode parasite as compared to horses. somewhat conflicting and this could be due to High prevalence in donkeys might be due to the compromised immune responses relating to concurrent differences in feeding and deworming activities. All most disease, but is worthy of further study [7]. all of the horses under this study were cart horses that fed Oxyuris equi (5.%) was one of the least prevalent grain by products and are less exposed to pasture grazing. eggs of parasite detected in horses and with 8.7% in In addition horses are dewormed regularly. Furthermore, donkeys in the current study. The prevalence rate of the difference in prevalence in different area might be due Oxyuris equi in donkey (8.7%) found in the present to the difference in sampling area, feeding system and study is in slightly higher than those previously reported accessibility to deworming and health services []. [17, 0, 4] where prevalence rate of.1%. 3% and % GIT nematode infection were also assessed with respect recorded respectively. to the sex and body condition scores, however; there was no significant association found. CONCLUSION Considering a relative proportions of each gastrointestinal nematode parasites, detection of highest The current study revealed the importance of equine prevalence of Strongyle-type eggs in both species agrees GIT parasites with the overall prevalence of 75.8%. The with previous work [6, 14, 1, 3] whereby an overall prevalence was found to be 83.7% and 69.3% in donkey prevalence rate of 8.5%, 57.14% and 66.67% had reported, and horses respectively. The common equine GIT respectively. parasites recorded in the current study area were The prevalence of strongyle species infection Strongyles, Parascaris equarum and Oxyuris equi. was higher in donkey than in horse where statistical Among the identified GIT parasites, the highest relative significant difference was observed within two species percentage was recorded for Strongyles while low (p<0.05) with prevalence of 80.% in donkeys. This occurrence rate was observed for Parascaris equorum finding is recorded as lower than that of 99 %, 100%, and Oxyuris equi. A statistically significant association 100%, 98.%, 9.8% and 100% report in Ada, Akaki Boset of GIT nematode infection was recorded in young [4] Dugda Bora distinct [17] highlands of Wollo [5] equine where age less than 4 years had the highest highlands of Western Oromia [0] and Wonchi [6] prevalence (89.9%). Moreover, significant difference was 41

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