Prevalence and Diversity of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites of Ruminants Sampled in Abatoirs and Grazing Areas of Owerri West, Nigeria
Nnadozie Raymond. I.A
Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Nkem Benjamin. I *
Research Unit, Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.
Azudialu Bede. C
Department of family Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Onukogu Ethelbat. O
Department of accident and emergency, Imo State University Teaching hospital Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria.
NNodim Nnedinma . N
Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In tropical rainforest part of Nigeria, zoonotic intestinal parasites have remained of human and veterinary health significance despite recent awareness in the Northern part warranting this study designed to gain insight into the presence of these parasites among livestock in Owerri west, Imo state. Stool samples of selected ruminants(cattle and sheep) were collected and analyzed in the laboratory applying standard techniques. Overall, 7 parasites were isolated in both animal species. In cattle, the highest (24.8%) prevalence rate was recorded for Fasciola hepatica followed by Eimeria spp(18.3%), and Strongyloides spp (12.8%). While Strongylida,Moniezia spp, Trichuris spp and Paramphistomum spp yielded prevalence rates of 4.6%,1.8%,0.9%, and 0.9% respectively. Conversely, in sheep, the highest (35.2%) prevalence rate was recorded for Strongylida followed by Eimeria spp (31.9%), and Fasciola hepatica (14.3%). While Paramphistomum spp, Strongyloides spp, Trichuris spp, Moniezia spp, yielded prevalence rates of 2.2%,3.3%, 3.3%, and 5.5% respectively (p<0.05). Comparative analysis of Eimeria spp infection according to age group of the animals showed a significant variation(p<0.05). Comparing the prevalence rates of Trematoda and cestoda parasitism amongst the two animal species revealed that, Fasciola hepatica recorded the highest prevalence of 24.8% and 14.3% both in cattle and sheep respectively; Moniezia spp which recorded total prevalence rates of 1.8% and 5.5% in cattle and sheep respectively while Paramphistomum spp recorded the least total prevalence rates of 0.9% and 2.2% respectively for cattle and sheep.Trematoda and cestoda parasitism amongst the two animal species varied significantly(P<0.05). This study has shown the presence of zoonotic intestinal parasites among sheep and cattle dungs sampled in Owerri West thereby underscoring the need for public awareness campaigns and training programs for the populace to mitigate outbreak.
Keywords: Abattoire, ruminant, Owerri west, zoonotic intestinal parasite