Prevalence of Major Intestinal Nematodes of Equines in Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from October, 2015 up to March, 2016 in Jimma town, Oromia Regional State of South West Ethiopia, with the objective of determining the prevalence of intestinal nematode parasites of equines and the effect of putative risk factors on the rate of helminth parasite infections. A total of 400 Equines; donkeys (n=29), horses (n=317) and mules (n=54) were included in the study. Out of 400 faecal samples examined, three species of nematode eggs were identifi ed during the study period. Coprological examination conducted using fl otation technique revealed an overall point prevalence of 72.25%. The most common nematodes encountered in order of their predominance were, Strongyles (63.25%), Parascaris equorum (16.5%), Oxyuris equi (4.25%), and mixed infection was found to be (10.75%). The results of statistical analysis of different risk factors with risk of intestinal nematode infection indicates a signifi cant difference (P<0.05) between the species of equine and strongyle infection rate, body condition scores with Strongyle and Parascaris equorum infection rate. But species of the animal was not signifi cantly associated with Parascaris equorum (P<0.05). The infection rate of Oxyuris equi was not signifi cantly associated with body condition score, age and species of equines (P> 0.05 for all variables). Statistical analysis of the result also showed no signifi cant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of intestinal nematodes with sex of the animal, although it was relatively higher in male than female individuals. Therefore, the present study showed that intestinal nematodes are an important health problem in the area affecting the wellbeing and productivity of the equines.

Study on Strongyle Infection of Donkeys and Horses in Hosaena District, Southern Ethiopia

“…Nematode parasites are extreme Equines health hazards, leading to poor body condition, decreased power production, poor reproductive potential, retarded growth, and short Equines life. This study revealed a slightly higher 54.2% prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyle infection, which is comparatively lower compared to other studies performed at different geographical locations, which indicated a prevalence of 63%, 63.25%, 64%, 64.61%, 83.85%, 99.15% and 100%, 9,14,[16][17][18][27][28][29][30] respectively. This variance may be due to the difference in the region's agro-ecology and Equines population density, and the tradition of using Equines anthelmintic therapy in the study area.…”

“…[10][11][12] Most intestinal equines nematodes can be diagnosed by the demonstration of parasite eggs from faecal samples. 9,11 Although considerable work has been carried out on equines strongyle infection in various parts of Ethiopia by, 4,[13][14][15][16][17][18] and showed an infection rate of 5.73% in Dangila Town, 64.61% in Menz Keya Gerbil District, 26.56 in Jimma district, 46.1% in Batu Town, 63% in Mecha district, 83.85% in Bahirdar district and 72.25% in Jimma Town, respectively. However, there was no previous study carried out on the strongyle infection of donkeys and horses in the present study area, where a mixed crop-livestock production system is the main form of agriculture.…”

Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in equines with an assessment of the therapy using Albendazole and Doramectin

“…This phenomenon might be due to pregnancy stress, birth, and lactation, which expose the females to infection. [23] According to the results of the current study, the epidemiological peak of horses' infections was noted in younger animals of one year with a ratio of 79.36%. This rate was more signi cant than those observed for other age groups ( ve years ,10 years, and 15-20 years), at 60.0%,75% and 64.28%, respectively.…”

Effect of Agro-ecological Zone, Age, and Sex on Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Donkeys in Maseru District, Lesotho

“…In addition, the lower level of nematode infection in young donkeys may be due to the fact that they are kept in stables most of the time while adults work as pack animals moving from one area to another and this exposes adult donkeys to different parasites. However, Andarge et al (2017) observed that in terms of susceptibility to nematodes there was no significant difference between young and adult donkeys. On the other hand, the prevalence of Parascaris equorum (nematode) was found to be significantly higher in younger equines (Sheferaw and Alemu, 2015).…”

“…Factors such as temperature and moisture provide a favorable environment for the development of larvae to the infective stage which is ingested during animal grazing (Saeed et al, 2019). The infection occurs from the ingestion of infective larvae or eggs during grazing (Andarge et al, 2017). Takele and Nibret, (2013) stated that open grazing promotes ingestion of the helminth eggs.…”