Revista de Bacteriología y Parasitología

Abstracto

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites and their Impact in Sheep in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State

Maimadu AA, Bata SI, Olabode MP, Akinsulie OC*, Waziri IA, Sabo JA

This study examined the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of small ruminants with a focus on sheep in Riyom local government area of Plateau state, Nigeria. About two hundred (200) fecal samples were randomly collected from sheep from two (2) districts in the study location which are Jal and Riyom districts. From the 200 fecal samples analyzed using simple floatation and sedimentation techniques to examine for the presence of GI parasites; 87 were from rams and 113 from ewes, 100 were obtained from Jal and 100 from Riyom districts respectively. The data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square (x2) and p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. 128 samples were positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infections in the examined sheep, with an overall prevalence of 64%. The results showed eleven (11) species of GI parasites identified in the study area namely; Eimera spp. 73 (40.6%), Stronglyloide 16 (8.9%), Oesophasgustomum 35 (19.4%), Trichostrongylus 25 (13.9%),Fasciolaspp 11 (6.1%), Bunostomum spp. 5 (2.5%), Haemonchus spp. 9 (5%), paramphistomum 1 (0.5%), Neoascaris 1 (0.5%), Dicrocoelium 3 (1.7%), Avitellina spp 1 (0.5%). The level of eggs/oocyst per gram of feces between sexes group there showed no statistical significance (p=0.478) but a higher prevalence was found in ewes, 73 (64.6%) than the rams, 55 (63.2%). Also, adult sheep, 102 (66.7%) showed no significance (p=0.107) in prevalence when compared to young ones 26 (55.3%). The infection level was statistically significant (p=0.001) between the two (2) areas of study, Riyom district and Jal district, with values of 51.0% and 77.0% respectively.GI parasites are endemic among sheep in the study area, knowledge on these parasites and related epidemiological parameter is important for outlining fruitful control strategies against GI parasites.