Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among Cattle Slaughtered in Some Abbatoirs in Katsina State, Nigera

Abstract

Cattle is one of the most domesticated livestock in Nigeria which provides a wide range of products and services to man but may be infected with pathogens that are harmful to itself, other animals and can possibly transfer the pathogens to man. Faecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of 600 cattle slaughtered in some abattoirs in six Local Government Areas using disposable hand gloves, transferred into universal specimen bottles and preserved in 10% formalin solution for microscopic examination of intestinal parasites. A structured questionnaire was administered to determine some of the factors that enhance the prevalence of infection. Samples were examined using formol-ether concentration technique and stained with Lugol’s iodine. The overall prevalence was 173(28.8%). The cestode identified was Moniezia sp. 4(0.6%). Nematodes identified were Strongyle sp 55(9.2%), Trichuris trichura 1(0.2%). The trematodes identified were Dicrocoelium sp. 1(0.2%), Fasciola sp. 35(5.8%), Paramphistomum sp. 14(2.3%) and Schistosoma sp. 1(0.2%). The coccidian oocyts had a prevalence of 62(10.3%). Prevalence was higher in females (33.5%) than males (25.9%) (P>0.05). Cattle between the ages of 0-1 years had the highest prevalence of infection (39.2%) compared to 2-3 years (24.2%) and 4 years and above age groups (20.4%). The breed of cattle did not influence the prevalence of infection (P>0.05). Factors such as vegetation zone and season were found to significantly influence the prevalence of infection (P<0.05). Cattle owners should be enlightened relevant agencies on the use of chemotherapy as well as the importance of ranching so as to improve health of these cattle and to also reduce the prevalence of zoonotic infections among human population.