ABSTRACT
Buffaloes are one of the most popular domestic ruminants, reared globally for milk and meat. Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in these hosts possesses a critical warning factor that severely limits the growth, reproductive performance, and milk production. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of GI parasites in buffaloes in Ratnanagar Chitwan in central Nepal. The fresh faecal samples (n=300) of buffaloes (150 from captive and 150 from semi-captive) were collected and immediately preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. These samples were processed via direct wet mount, sedimentation, and floatation techniques and examined under a compound microscope at 100×, 400×, and 1000× magnifications. The results showed an overall 90% prevalence of parasites (80% in captive with 22 species and 100% in semi-captive buffaloes with 30 species). Entamoeba and Balantidium coli were the most prevalent parasites among the captives, whereas Entamoeba and Fasciola were dominant in semi-captive populations. In conclusions, buffaloes under semi-captive domestication harbor the higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites. GI parasitism in buffaloes varies with captivity and age. Furthermore, awareness programs to the local farmers for healthy husbandry practices and therapeutic and preventive strategies should be conducted to reduce the parasitic loads and cross-transmission of potential parasites from different environments.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasites have a significant impact on productivity of pigs. Additionally, presence of zoonotic parasites in pig faeces used as fertilizer and ingestion of raw or undercooked pork products originated from parasite-infested pigs pose a risk to human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in indigenous pigs (Sus domesticus) maintained under traditional rearing system in Nepal. METHODS: Fresh faecal samples (n = 100) were collected from the pigs of varying age and sex maintained in 18 small-scale farms in south-central Nepal. Samples were processed using various standard methods and examined for parasite eggs, cysts or oocysts. RESULTS: Prevalence of GI parasites in indigenous pigs was 91%, comprising of 14 different genera of protozoans and helminths. Male pigs generally had a higher (97.5%) prevalence of GI parasites than females (87%). While 90% of the suckling and weaner piglets were positive for the GI parasites, all growers and 85% the adult pigs were infected with the parasites. Entamoeba spp. were the primary protozoans in all age groups. Strongyloides sp. was more prevalent helminths in suckling and weaner piglets, whereas Ascarid spp. were higher in both growers and adults. Triplet infection was higher (33.3%) in suckling and weaner piglets, while quadruplet and pentuplet infections were higher (p < .05) among growers (46.7%) and adults (30%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The indigenous pigs harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites. GI parasitism varies by sex and age of the pigs.
