Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of buffaloes brought to slaughterhouse in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract

Livestock farming has significant economic importance to the Nepalese society. Gastrointestinal helminth parasitism in buffaloes possess a warning for poor growth, milk production and, development. Thus this study aimed to study the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in slaughtered buffaloes in Bhaktapur Municipality. Faecal samples (100) and visceral organs (100) i.e. small intestine, large intestine, rumen, and abomasums of 100 slaughtered buffaloes were collected and preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and 70% alcohol, respectively. Faecal samples were processed via direct and concentration techniques whereas organs were examined macroscopically for adults. The result showed an overall prevalence of 51% of helminth parasites. Paramphistomum sp. from the rumen and Oesophagostomum sp. from the large intestine were collected from the macroscopic examination. Altogether ten genera of helminth parasites were reported and among them, Paramphistomum sp. (18%) was found to be the dominant parasite in faecal examination followed by Fasciola sp. (16%), Oesophagostomum sp. (11%), Strongyloides sp. (7%), Haemonchus sp. (5%), Schistosoma sp. (3%), Capillaria sp. (2%), Cooperia sp. (2%), Trichostrongylus sp. (1%) and Syngamus sp. (1%). Single infection was prevalent in comparison to multiple infections in both examinations. Buffaloes were imported from Nepalgunj, Birgunj, and Jitpur whereas the location-wise prevalence showed no significant difference. Furthermore, awareness programs among butchers and farmers of farming places from where buffaloes were brought were involved to reduce parasitic loads among slaughtered buffaloes.