Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Warthogs (Phacochoerus Africanus) from the Nazinga Game Ranch of Burkina Faso

A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in warthogs from the Nazinga Game Ranch of Burkina Faso. The study revealed that Eight different nematodes and one estode species were present in the gastrointestinal tracks of the animals. In the stomach, Simondsia paradoxa was found at prevalence as high as 83.3% while both Hyostrongylus rubidus and Gnathostoma sp. were each present in 5.6% of the cases. The small intestine was infested by Globocephalus sp. (55.6%), Stilesia globipunctata (22%), and Ascaris phacochoeri (5.6%). The large intestine harboured Probstmayria vivipara at a maximum prevalence of 100%, followed by Murshidia sp. (88.9%), and Oesophagostomum sp. (72%). All the 18 warthogs studied were infested by several types of parasites. Number of worms per animal showed important burden for Murshidia sp. (4817 ± 2348) and S. paradoxa (995 ± 1979), also for Oesophagostomum sp. (141 ± 137), and particularly for P. vivipara (826074 ± 1232650). Despite the presence of worms, all warthogs studied were in good physical status with an average blood-letting weight of 60.7 ± 15 kg and a calculated killing out percentage of 43.3%, which seems to indicate a good potential for meat production.Une étude des parasites gastro-intestinaux, menée sur des phacochères du Ranch de gibier de Nazinga au Burkina Faso, a permis l’identification de huit espèces de nématode et d’une espèce de cestode, ainsi qu’une estimation de leur prévalence et importance numérique. Dans l’estomac, l’étude a identifié une forte prévalence de Simondsia paradoxa (83,3%), ainsi que la présence de Hyostrongylus rubidus et Gnathostoma sp avec une prévalence de 5,6% chacun. L’intestin grêle était infesté par Globocephalus sp (55,6%), Stilesia globipunctata (22%), et Ascaris phacochoeri (5,6%). Le gros intestin hébergeait Probstmayria vivipara à une prévalence maximale de 100%, suivi de Murshidia sp. (88,9%) et Oesophagostomum sp. (72%). Chacun des 18 phacochères étudiés était infesté par plusieurs types de parasites. La charge parasitaire était importante pour Murshidia sp. (4817±2348 nombre moyen par animal), S. paradoxa (995 ± 1979), Oesophagostomum sp. (141 ± 137), et plus particulièrement P. vivipara (826074 ± 1232650), un parasite vivipare. Malgré la présence de vers, la quasi-totalité des phacochères étudiés étaient en bon état physique, avec un poids saigné moyen de 60,7 ± 15 kg et un pourcentage de viande calculé de 43,3%, ce qui semble indiquer un bon potentiel de production de viande

Gastrointestinal helminthes of sheep in the central, eastern and northern parts of Burkina Faso

HELMINTHES GASTRO-INTESTINAUX DES MOUTONS DANS LES REGIONS DU CENTRE, DE L'EST ET DU NORD DU BURKINA FASO Résumé Des nécropsies helminthologiques de 60 moutons pendant une année ont permis d'identifier les parasites de leur cavité abdominale, de leur foie et de leur tube digestif. Treize (13) nématodes, 4 cestodes et 2 trématodes ont été identifiés. Cysticercus cellulosae a été retrouvé dans la cavité abdominale, Dicrocoelium hospes dans le foie, Cotylophoron cotylophoron et Gongylonema verrucosom dans le rumen. Dans la caillette, il y avait Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei et T. colubriformis. Dans l'intestin grêle où la diversité parasitaire était la plus importante, on a retrouvé T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Cooperia pectinata, C. punctata, Strongyloides papillosus, Gaigeria pachycelis, Avitellina centripunctata, Stilesia globipunctata et Moniezia expansa. Quant au gros intestin, il hébergeait Oesophagostomum columbianum, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichuris ovis et T. gobulosa. Les plus prévalents de ces parasites étaient : Trichostrongylus colubriformis (96,7%), les larves L4 d'Haemonchus contortus (88,3%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (70%), les adultes d'Haemonchus contortus (61,7%), Avitellina centripunctata (58,3%), T. vitrinus (51,7%), Cysticercus tenuicollis (43,3%) et Gaigeria pachyscelis (35%). Les degrés moyens d'infestation par les nématodes étaient en géneral faibles, à l'exception de ceux des larves d'H. contortus dans la caillette et des adultes de T. colubriformis dans l'intestin grêle à la fin de la saison des pluies et pendant la période sèche et froide. Summary Helminthological necropsy of 60 sheep for a year allowed the identification of parasites in the abdominal cavity, the liver and the digestive tract. Thirteen (13) nematodes, 4 cestodes and 2 trematodes were identified. Cysticercus cellulosae was found in the abdominal cavity, Dicrocoelium hospes in the liver, Cotylophoron cotylophoron and Gongylonema verrucosum in the rumen. In the abomasa, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei and T. colubriformis were present. The highest diversity of parasites was seen in the small intestines which had T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Cooperia pectinata, C. punctata, Strongyloides papillosus, Gaigeria pachycelis, Avitellina centripunctata, Stilesia globipunctata and Moniezia expansa. The large intestines harboured Oesophagostomum columbianum, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichuris ovis and T. gobulosa. The most prevalent of those parasites were: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (96.7%), Haemonchus contortus L4's (88.3%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (70%), Haemonchus contortus adults' (61.7%), Avitellina centripunctata (58.3%), Trichostrongylus vitrinus (51.7%), Cysticercus tenuicollis (43.3%) and Gaigeria pachyscelis (35%). Mean worm numbers of all nematodes collected were few with the exception of H. contortus L4's in the abomasa and T. colubriformis adults in the small intestines which were numerous at the end of the rainy season and during the dry and cold period. Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2004) 53, 13-2

The benefits of the PCR-its/filter paper in the diagnosis of parasites and chemoresistant trypanosomes

The most reliable diagnosis method of animal trypanosomoses often used is the microscopic examination for motile trypanosomes. However, the sensitivity of this method remains relatively lower than the classic PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). This latter, besides of its high cost, requires some conditions which sometimes are difficult to apply on the field (conservation of samples at +4°C or -20°C). In this study, buffy coat (BCT) specimens were dotted on the filter paper and conserved during 12 months(September 2004 - October 2005) at ambient temperature until their treatment with Chelex® 5%. Samples were tested using unique “pantrypanosomique” PCR with ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) primers. This PCR using polyspecific primers indicated parasitological prevalences of 1.2 to 6.2 times higher than those recorded by the microscopic analysis of the buffy coat on the same samples. Beside the mixed infectionswhich could be detected by one PCR reaction, this method could also distinguish Trypanosoma congolense savanna type from Trypanosoma congolense forest type. The gain of sensitivity and the easy conservationof samples in this method could be used for the detection of the  chemoresistance in low parasitological prevalence areas

Enquete sero-epidemiologique sur la tuberculose, la brucellose, la toxoplasmose, la rhinotracheite infectiuse et les salmonelles abortives chez les animaux bresiliens introduits au Bukinafaso

A survey on tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis, toxoplasmosis and abortive salmonellosis has been carried out in Brazilian breeds (Gyr and Gyrolando) introduced in Burkina Faso. The study has concerned two livestock system : The modern system with two herds located in Koubri and Loumbila (rearing station of the Centre National d’Elevage et d’Amélioration Génétique (CNEAG). The traditional system with the agro-pastoral zone’s herd of Kikideni, eastern Burkina Faso. Animals (n = 273) have been tested for the presence of tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotrachetis (IBR), toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis.Results have shown a prevalence of 16.42%, 7.32%, 3%, 77.73%, and 76.04%of for brucellosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis and abortive salmonellosis respectively. Results have also revealed a high seroprevalence rate for abortive diseases which are not routinely diagnosed in Burkina Faso such as toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis and the presence of multiple abortive infections within the same animal. This survey suggested systematic control of abortive diseases which could improve animal productivity