Retrospective occurrence and risk factors associated with cattle parasitic infections in Osun State, Nigeria

Parasitism is one of the major constraints for profitable dairy and beef industry in tropical and subtropical countries including Nigeria. Data was obtained from cattle diagnosed and treated for parasitic diseases at the major Veterinary clinics in Osun State between January 2006 and December 2016. A total of 393 cattle were treated for different parasitic diseases. Of the 393 cattle infected, 265 (67.4%) were White Fulani, 60 (15.3%) Sokoto Gudali, 42 (10.7%) Red Bororo and 26 (6.6%) Keteku breeds. Two hundred and forty two (61.6%) were young cattle while 151 (38.4%) were adult cattle. Male cattle were 146 (37.2%) of the total number, while 247 (62.8%) were female. Two hundred and ninety six (75.3%) and 97 (24.7%) cases occurred during the dry and wet seasons respectively. Helminthoses 235 (59.8%), babesiosis 6 (1.5%), trypanosomiasis 306 (77.9%), tick infestation 18 (4.6%) and mange 20 (5.1%) were the parasitic diseases diagnosed, with trypanosomiasis and helminthoses having the highest occurrence. Most cases of parasitic diseases (345/393; 87.8%) were recorded between 2006 and 2008. Three hundred and twenty (81.4%) cases were recorded in January, July and August. From the data obtained, breeds of cattle, age, sex and season were statistically associated (p<0.05) with parasitic diseases. Two hundred and seven (52.7%) of the cattle were infected with single, while 186 (47.3%) were infected with two parasites, and the difference was not significant (p>0.05). There was a significant association (p<0.05) between breeds of cattle, age, sex and seasons with the prevalence of cattle co-infected with parasites. There was a correlation between babesiosis and tick infestation. These findings showed that cattle parasitic infections are endemic in Osun State.Keywords: Cattle, Osun State, Parasitic Diseases, Occurrenc

Gastrointestinal parasites of horses (Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758) and risk factors associated with equine coccidiosis in Kwara and Niger States, Nigeria

About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Coccidiosis is an important disease of horses and it is responsible for a great economic setback worldwide. This study was designed to determine the species diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of horses and the risk factors associated with Eimeria infections in horses in Kwara and Niger States, North Central Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 105 horses in Kwara and Niger States. Simple floatation and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques were used as diagnostic techniques. An overall prevalence of 62.86% (66/105) was recorded. Eleven gastrointestinal parasites comprising of 7 nematodes, 2 trematodes, 1 protozoan and 1 cestode were detected. Strongylus spp. (33.33%; 35/105) and Eimeria spp. (28.57%; 30/105) were the most prevalent. Fortysix (43.81%) of the sampled population had multiple gastrointestinal parasites infection. Body condition score, presence/ absence of diarrhoea and horse ownership were significantly association with the occurrence of Eimeria infection. This appears to be the first report on gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria. The high prevalence reported in this study calls for horse owners to improve on the veterinary medical attention given to their horses as gastrointestinal parasitism is a major cause of economic loss in equine husbandry. The curtailing of gastrointestinal parasitism will improve production, reproduction and performance of horses in the study areas.Keywords: Eimeria spp.; Gastrointestinal parasites; Horses; North Central Nigeria; Risk factor

Prevalence, risk factors and parasitic diseases co-infection of pigs in Osun State, south-west Nigeria, 2006-2015

Parasitic diseases are the most devastating diseases of pigs in the tropics after African swine fever. It causes a significant economic setback to the swine industry in Africa and Nigeria. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence, associated risk factors and parasitic diseases co-infections of pigs over a ten year (2006 - 2015) period. A retrospective study on parasitic diseases of pigs was conducted in Osun state, Nigeria. Records from the four major veterinary clinics in the state were used for the study. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyse the Chi square (χ2) test and its odd ratios, while graphs were drawn using Microsoft Excel, 2010. Mange, helminthoses, lice infestation, tick infestation, eperythrozoonosis and babesiosis were the parasitic diseases diagnosed in pigs during the period under review. Mange (296/875; 33.83 %) was the most prevalent and babesiosis (4/875; 0.46 %) the least prevalent parasitic disease. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalence of parasitic diseases. Season of the year was the risk factor significantly associated (p<0.05) with the prevalence of mange and helminthoses. There was a strong correlation in the co-infection of tick infestation with babesiosis; and lice infestation with eperythrozoonosis. This study showed that parasitism is a major disease condition affecting pigs in Osun state and so there is a great need for increased input in terms of sanitary practices, prevention and control measures against these diseases so as to improve productivity in the swine industry of the state and country.Keywords: helminthoses, mange, Nigeria, Osun state, parasitic diseases, pig

Occurrence and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infections in Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias species

Eimeria infection can cause a serious health risk to fish in the wild and especially to the fish production enterprise. Eimeria species are a group of protozoan parasites common in many fish farming systems with little information available on the occurrence, impact, and risks associated with the infection in fish populations. This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infections in three hundred and seventy-six Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias species from some selected fish farms in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Using direct smear techniques, oocysts were recovered from the mucous and intestinal content of the fish. Data on the risk factors were obtained by administering a well-structured questionnaire to the fish farmers. An overall prevalence of 30.3 % was obtained for the apicomplexan parasite of the genus Eimeria. The monthly prevalence of Eimeria species infection among fish was highest in October and the lowest in July. Some risk factors were significantly (p <0.05) associated with fishes in the univariate model. Sex of fish, level of formal education of farmers, feeding of fish with dead poultry and fish, and the number of ponds in a fish farm were the significant risk factors in the multivariate model. This finding indicates that Eimeria species infection is endemic and of great concern among the fish population, thereby posing significant health problems. There is a need for improved fish management practices and biosecurity protocols

Molecular detection and epidemiological risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia

Enteric protozoa infection among cattle may pose a threat to productivity and survival leading to negative impacts on the livestock industry. A number of these pathogens are also known to be zoonotic and are of public health concern. Despite the importance of these enteric protozoa to both animal and human health, there remains a paucity of published information on the epidemiological risk factors that may be associated with bovine cryptosporidiosis in Southeast Asia. The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular prevalence and associated risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection among beef and dairy cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 824 cattle in 39 farms (526 beef and 298 dairy) situated in 33 locations throughout the country, and subjected to PCR detection for Cryptosporidium using primers targeting the 18S SSUrRNA gene. Epidemiological variables including host, environment and management factors were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the potential risk factors for infection. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the cattle was 12.5%, with significant difference in the infection rate among the various breeds. There was no significant effect of gender, and both the beef and dairy cattle were at similar odds for infection. The younger cattle had a significantly higher infection rate compared to the older animals. Multivariate analysis revealed that deworming practice, distance to human settlement, geographical location (zone) and farm management system were significant risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection. The cattle that were reared on farms located in the northeast of the country, closest (≤200 m) to human settlements, reared extensively, and dewormed every four months were at highest risk of infection. The present study constitutes the first attempt to analyze the multivariable epidemiological risk factors involved in bovine cryptosporidiosis in Malaysia and in Southeast Asia. It is envisaged that the data obtained will facilitate better control and prevention measures for Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in the region. Due to the potential zoonotic nature of the infection, serious steps should be instituted for animal treatment and biohazard waste management on local cattle farms. © 201