Search

The present investigation records the prevalence and associated epidemiological parameters of parasitism and effect of season on parasitic infestations based on results obtained from the fecal sample examination, tested at circle laboratory, Gorakhpur. A total 398 fecal samples from buffaloes of either sex and different age groups were tested by direct smear method9 and sedimentation method to access the prevalence of helminth infections. To study the effect of season, the study period of one year was divided into four quarters (January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December) of three months each. Standard method10 was used to calculate the percent prevalence rate for different parasitic infections. As high as 71.85% of animals were found positive for one or more of parasitic infestation. Among different infestation, maximum incidence was of faciolosis (35.92%) followed by amphistome (17.08%), strongyle (4.02%) and ascaris infestation (1.50%). Mixed worm infestation was recorded in 53 samples (13.31%).These parameters are responsible for reduced production and reproduction in bovines. Overall prevalence rate of amphistome and fasiola was recorded as 42.20%, 60.20%, 65.06% and 48.14% in I,II,III and IV quarters, respectively. Highest prevalence of fluke was observed during summer and rainy season (April-September) with a maximum of 69.69% of infection in the month of July. In Ist and IVth quarter, prevalence rate is less(42.20% & 48.14%) as compare to other quarters(60.20% & 65.06%).The animals being stall fed during the months of extreme cold either failed to pick up the infection or less infected during this period. These animals when left free for grazing during march/April, they ingested metacercariae attached to grass blades and became effected during June. High prevalence of these infections during summer and rainy season suggested that the development and availability of infective stages of parasites and its interactions with host are primarily determined by climatic factors such as warmth and moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic infections are known to affect donkeys causing considerable mortality and morbidity. Fresh faecal samples were directly collected from the rectum of donkeys belonging to four age groupsviz. < 0.5 years, 0.5 - 3.0 years, 3.1 -8.0 years and > 8 years. Donkeys of different age groups in the present study had slightly different helminth profiles. Young donkeys (<0.5 years) generally had a high prevalence of Strongyloides. They seemed to have less number of Strongyles and Ascarids. But the level of Strongyles and Ascarids increased when the donkeys became older, but then decreased. It may be due to the development of age immunity to Strongyles and Ascarids in adult donkeys. Strongyloideswere found to less in older donkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation on the influence of season on the prevalence of helminthic infection among cattle and buffaloes indicated that the over all prevalence of parasitic infection was 336 (42.0%) out of 800 faecal samples. The highest incidence was observed by amphistomes 180 (22.5%) followed by coccidia 65 (8.1%), strongyles 61 (7.6%) and fasciola 30 (3.8%). The incidence of parasitic infection was higher in monsoon season as compared to that of summer and winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]