Gastrointestinal Helminthes Parasites in Sheep: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors, in and Around Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

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1 Advances in Biological Research 6 (5): , 01 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 01 DOI: /idosi.abr Gastrointestinal Helmines Parasites in Sheep: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors, in and Around Gondar Town, Norwest Eiopia 1 1 Meaza Mulatu, Tewodros Fentahun and Basaznew Bogale 1 University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Veterinary Para-Clinical Studies, Gondar, Eiopia University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Gondar, Eiopia Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine e prevalence and risk factors associated wi Ovine gastrointestinal (GI) helmines parasitism in and around Gondar town, norwestern Eiopia commencing September 011 to January 01. A total of 406 sheep faecal samples were collected and examined using standard floatation and sedimentation techniques for e detection of GI helmines eggs/larvae. Of ese, 40 (59.11%) were positive for gastrointestinal helmin infections. Nematodes were e predominant 153(37.68%) helmines followed by cestodes 17(4.18%) and trematodes 6(1.47%). Strongyles, Moniezia spp., Trichuris spp. and Dictyocaulus filarial (D. filaria) were e most abundant helmines. Cases of single and multiple infection prevalence were observed. Most of e samples were found wi single infection 176(43.35%) an multiple 64(15.76%) infection prevalence. The infection rate of helmines parasites among age groups was not statistically significant ( = 0.44; P > 0.05). Similarly, statistically significant variation in helmines prevalence ( =.079; P > 0.05) was not observed between male and female sheep. Keeping in view of e current study results, control measures for gastrointestinal parasites should be undertaken to reduce e intensity of e parasitic infection. Key words: Coprology GI-Helmines Prevalence Gondar Town Eiopia INTRODUCTION range of agro-ecological factors suitable for diversified hosts and parasite species. Economic losses are caused Eiopia has e largest livestock inventories in by gastrointestinal parasites in a variety of ways; ey Africa, including more an 38,749,30 cattle, 18,075,580 cause losses rough lowered fertility, reduced work sheep, 14, 858,650 goats, 456,910 camels, 5,765,170 capacity, involuntary culling, a reduction in food intake equines and 30,868,540 chickens wi livestock ownership and lower weight gains, lower milk production, treatment currently contributing to e livelihoods of an estimated costs and mortality in heavily parasitized animals [3]. 80% of e rural population [1]. However, e full Urban and Peri-urban livestock keeping has been hailed exploitation of ese huge resources was hindered due to as a source of livelihood by some households in cities a combination of factors such as poor genetic potential of around e world [4]. animals, traditional system of husbandry and management Different works have been conducted in e as well as e presence of numerous diseases []. prevalence of gastro-intestinal helmines (GI helmines) Small ruminants under intensive and extensive in sheep in different parts of e country [5-7]. However, production systems are extremely susceptible to e ere is limited information or report about e prevalence effects of wide range of helmin endo-parasites. of GI-helmines parasites of sheep in e study area. Gastrointestinal parasite infections are a world-wide Therefore, e objectives of e current study were to problem for bo small- and large-scale farmers, but eir determine e prevalence of GI helmines in sheep and to impact is greater in sub-saharan Africa in general and evaluate e influence of e associated risk factors on e Eiopia in particular due to e availability of a wide prevalence GI helmines in sheep in Gondar town. Corresponding Auor: Tewodros Fentahun, University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Basic Veterinary Sciences, P.O. Box: 196, Gondar, Eiopia. 191

2 Advan. Biol. Res., 6 (5): , 01 MATERIALS AND METHODS plastic gloves, put into sample vials, labeled and soon brought to University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Study Area: The study was conducted in and around Medicine, Parasitology laboratory. The samples were Gondar town; Nor Gondar Zone; Amhara, region, examined on e day of collection or stored in a norwest Eiopia from September to December 011. refrigerator at 4 C until processing. The floatation in Gondar town is located on 35 7' N and 13 8' E and lies at saturated NaCl solution and sedimentation meods was an altitude of,00 meter above sea level. It is found employed to concentrate e helmines eggs/larvae in 750 km nor of Addis Ababa. The area receives mean e faeces [10]. Identification of helmines eggs/larvae annual rain fall of 1,17 mm mainly in rainy season wi was made on e basis of eir morphological average temperature of 19.7 C [8]. characteristics using keys given by Soulsby [11] under x10 microscope objective. The morphological and color Study Animals: The sheep of local indigenous breeds differences were used to distinguish Fasciola and which were presented to Gondar town Veterinary Clinic Paramphistomum species eggs. and Gondar University Veterinary Clinic for clinical purposes and from various small holders in Gondar town. Data Analysis: Data was entered into Ms Excel 003 and The sampled sheep were stratified by sex and age. analysis was conducted using SPSS Descriptive Animals aged up to one year was classified as young statistics were calculated and presented as tables. The stock (lamb) whiles ose above two years were association between e independent factors (age and categorized adults based on owners response and sex) and e prevalence of e various parasites were observations during sampling. evaluated using Chi-square ( ). In all e analysis, confidence level was held at 95% and p<0.05 was set for Study Design and Sample Size Determination: A cross significance. sectional study design was used to determine e prevalence of ovine GI helmines parasites during e RESULT study period. Simple random sampling meod was used to select each study animal. The sample size was A total of 406 sheep were examined, of which determined based on e expected prevalence of 50% 40(59.11%) were diagnosed as harboring nematodes, and absolute desired precision of 5% at confidence level cestodes and trematodes according to e egg structure of 95% according to e meods provided by Thrusfield at varying levels and as single and mixed infections. [9]. Nematodes were e predominantly occurring (n=153) helmines followed by cestodes (n=17) and trematodes exp exp 1.96 p (1-p ) n = (n=6). When ey are compared among e different d genera, e prevalence of strongyles were recorded to be where e highest (41.6%) followed by Moniezia spp. (11.8%). n = Require sampling size Infections wi Nematodirus spp and Ascaris spp. pexp = Expected prevalence were rarely seen. Cases of single and multiple d = Desired absolute precision infections (infection wi endoparasites of different genus) were observed. Most of e samples were found Since ere was no similar study done previously on wi single infection (43.34%) prevalence an multiple e study area, e expected prevalence was taken as 50%. (15.76%) infections. Of ese, concurrent infections by Therefore, using 50% expected prevalence and 5% Strongyles + Moniezia had e highest prevalence absolute precision at 95% confidence interval, e (34.37%) while e lowest was formed among many oers number of animals needed in is study were calculated to (1.56%). be 384. But to increase e precision 406 sheep were No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in examined. GI helmin prevalence between male (6.75%) and female (55.71%) animals. Likewise, e prevalence did not show Sample Collection and Examination Procedures: A total significant association (P>0.05) among different age of 406 fecal samples were collected per-rectum using groups (Table ). 19

3 Advan. Biol. Res., 6 (5): , 01 Table 1: Prevalence of GI helmines and mixed infections in sheep Parasite Spp No. of positives Prevalence (%) Strongyles Trichuris 1.95 Strongyloides Nematodirus 0.49 Neoascaris vitulorum D. filaria Moniezia spp Fasciola spp Mixed infections Table : Prevalence of GI helmines parasites based on sex and age in sheep Risk factors No. of animals examined No. of positives Prevalence (%) P-value Sex Male Female Total Age Young Adult Total DISCUSSION In anoer study in Kelala district of norern Eiopia, 8.6% of e sheep population studied was reported to be The result of e present study clearly demonstrates infected wi two or more species [17]. In some areas, e at helmin infections are highly prevalent in sheep prevalence of mixed infection is exceptionally high; 90.0% of e study area. The higher prevalence of parasites of [18]. is study (59.11%) could be due to e fact at sheep Nematodes were e predominant (37.68%) could have frequent exposure to e same communal helmines followed by cestodes (4.18%) and trematodes grazing land at causes contamination of pasture. (1.47%). Strongyles, Moniezia spp., Trichuris spp. and This finding agrees wi e results of oer researchers D. filaria were e most abundant helmines. The high [5, 6, 1] in eastern part of Eiopia (95.6%), souwestern level of multiple infections may be due to e inefficient Kenya (80.0%) and Awi Zone of Eiopia (58.18%) meods of control including low attention given to e respectively. Furermore, comparatively lower prevalence subclinical forms, coupled wi e prevailing chronic was reported by Shimelis et al. [7] and Regassa et al. [13] nutritional stress and suitability of e climate for survival in Nor Gondar of Eiopia (46.07%) and Western Oromia and proliferation of e parasites [16]. (50.%) respectively. The present study revealed at sex and age of e The species of helmines recovered during is sheep did not show significant association wi e study were also reported by Abebe and Esayas [5], prevalence of e parasites. The absence of association Nigatu [6], Shimelis et al. [7], Maichomo et al. [1] and between sex and prevalence agrees wi at of Nigatu [6]. Waruiru et al. [14]. Mixed infections wi more an one This indicates at male and female sheep have equal parasite are common (15.76%) in e current study. chance of infection if ey are exposed to e same This report is agreed wi e report of Ayalew [15] contaminated communal grazing pasture. However, e who showed 71% of sheep in Kembebit district, findings of Kuchai et al. [19] showed at females were Nor-West Shoa, harbor one or more species of more infected an eir counterparts. This difference helmins, strongylids or strongyloids being e may be due to e physiological peculiarities of e predominant group. According to Biffa et al. [16], 57.3% female animals, which usually constitute stress factors of cases were due to two helmin species, 33.8% due during e study period us, reducing eir immunity to to ree species and 8.9% due to four or more species. infections. 193

4 Advan. Biol. Res., 6 (5): , 01 The study showed at e prevalence of 3. Lebbie, S.H.B., B. Rey and E.K. Irungu, Small gastrointestinal helmines between different age groups ruminant research and development in Africa. is not statistically significant. This result disagrees wi Proceedings of e second biennial conference of reports of Nigatu [6] and Nganga et al. [0] where ere e African small ruminant research network. ILCA, was a higher prevalence of infection in younger animals pp: 1-5. as compared to adult ones. It may be due to e fact at 4. Mireri, C., P. Atekyereza, A. Kyessi and N. Mushi, adult animals were stressed due to different reasons such 007. Environmental risks of urban agriculture in as malnutrition and draught which lead to reduced e Lake Victoria drainage basin: A case of immunity during e study period. Kisumu municipality, Kenya. Habitat International, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5. 31: Abebe, W. and G. Esayas, 001. Survey on Ovine and Caprine Gastro-intestinal Helminosis in eastern The present study indicates e importance of part of Eiopia during e dry season of e year. gastrointestinal helmin parasites in sheep in all age Global Veterinaria, 1: groups and bo sexes and e poly-parasitism nature of 6. Nigatu, K., 008. Gastrointestinal Helminosis of e disease. The high prevalence of GI helmin parasites Sheep in Awi Zone, norestern Eiopia. Global of sheep recorded is indicative of e abundance and Veterinaria., 1: importance of e disease in e study area and its 7. Shimelis D., A. Asmare and T. Wudu, 011. potential contribution to limiting e productivity of Epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminiasis of sheep. Keeping in view e above results, some control small ruminants in selected sites of nor Gondar measure for gastrointestinal parasites can be undertaken zone, norwest Eiopia. Eiop. Vet. J., 15(): to reduce e intensity of e parasitic infection. 8. GARDO, 010. Gondar Agriculture and Rural Based on e above conclusions, e following Development Office; Annual Report of 009. recommendations are forwarded: 9. rd Thrusfiled, M., 005. Veterinary epidemiology. 3 ed., London: Philadelphia, pp: 7-8. The subject of helmin parasites in e study area 10. Hanson, J. and D. Perry, The Epidemiology, should be paid more attention by professionals. Diagnosis and control of helmen parasites. Furer studies on epidemiological, seasonal International Laboratory for Research on Animal dynamics and economic significance of helminiasis Disease, Nairobi, Kenya, pp: of sheep should be conducted to design feasible 11. Soulsby, E.J.L., 198. Helmins, arropods and strategic control. protozoa of domesticated animals. 7 edn. Tindall, London, pp: REFERENCES 1. Maichomo, M.W., J.M. Kigira and J. Walker, 004. Point prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in 1. CSA (Central Statistical Auority), 009. Federal calves, sheep and Gaots in Magadi division, Democratic Republic of Eiopia, Central Statistical Souwestern Kenya. Onderstepool J. Vet. Res., Auority (CSA), Agricultural Sample Survey 71(4): /009 [001E.C.], Report on Livestock and 13. Regassa, F., S. Teshale, D. Reata and K. Yosef, Livestock Characteristics (Privet Peasant Holdings), 006. Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal parasites of Addis Ababa, pp: Ruminants in western Oromia, Eiopia. Intl. J. Appl.. Mtenga, L.A., G.C. Kifaro and B. Berhanu, Res. Global Veterinaria, 4: Studies on factors affecting reproductive 14. Waruiru, R.M., M.N. Mutune and R.O. Otieno, performance and mortality rates of small East 005. Gastrointestinal parasite infections of sheep African goats and eir crosses. Small Ruminants and goats in a semi-arid area of Machakos District, Research and Development in Africa. Proceedings Kenya. Bull Anim Heal Prod. Afr., 53(1): of e second Biennial Conference of African 15. Ayalew, T., A preliminary survey of sheep Small Ruminants Research Network. AICC, Arusha helminosis in Kembebit district, Nor-West Tanzania, 7-11 December 199. ILCA/TCTA, Shoa. Proceedings of e 9 Annual Conference. September Addis Ababa, Eiopia, Network Eiopian Veterinary Association, Addis Ababa, Workshop, pp: Eiopia. 194

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