Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 2007 - Volume 81, Issue 03  

Research Papers

Point prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in southern Punjab, Pakistan

Muhammad Asif Razaa1, Zafar Iqbala1, Abdul Jabbara1 c1 and Muhammad Yaseena2

a1 Department of Veterinary Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan

a2 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in an irrigated area of lower Punjab (Pakistan). For this purpose, 100 faecal samples were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes. Parasitological procedures including direct and indirect methods (sedimentation and floatation) and coproculture were used for the identification of helminths. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 51% in cattle, 47% in buffaloes, 62% in sheep and 52% in goats, with nematodes being the most common helminths. The prevalence of helminths was higher in young animals compared with adults in cattle (P < 0.0001), buffaloes (P < 0.0001), sheep (P < 0.059) and goats (P = 0.010). The prevalence of different species of helminths also varied in different age groups, with Toxocara vitulorum being higher in calves than adults both in cattle (P = 0.017) and buffaloes (P < 0.0001). Sex-wise prevalence of helminths was higher in males than females for buffaloes (P < 0.0001) and sheep (P = 0.014) in contrast to cattle and goats.

(Accepted January 10 2007)

(Online publication June 12 2007)

Correspondence:

c1 E-mail: jabbaruaf@yahoo.co.uk