Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Rams brought into Abeokuta Small Ruminants Markets in Preparation for a Festive Season

Abstract

In an effort to gain a better understanding into the role played by food animals in the
epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites, we assessed the prevalence of
gastrointestinal parasites in different breeds of rams brought into Abeokuta during a
festive season by microscopic examination of faecal samples. A total of 206 rams of
different breeds were randomly sampled. The faecal samples collected were
subjected to simple floatation and sedimentation tests. McMaster egg counting
technique was used to estimate the faecal oocyst load in positive samples. Overall
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 51.46%. There was significant (p <
0.05) difference between the prevalence of Eimeria spp (37.38%)and helminth eggs
(13.59%).Among the 29 samples that tested positive for helminth eggs, 6 (20.7%), 19
(65.5%) and 4 (13.8%) were cestode, nematode and trematode eggs, respectively.
The genera of nematodes eggs identified include Strongyloides spp, Haemonchus
spp, Mashallagia spp, Bunostomum spp, Ascaris spp, Dictyocaulus spp,
Gongylonema spp and Ostergia spp; trematodes were Fasciola spp and
Dicrocoelium spp while cestodes were Moniezia spp and Avitellinaspp. The only
protozoan parasite identified was Eimeria spp. This study has clearly shown that
rams brought to Abeokuta during festive seasons carry different gastrointestinal
parasites of which Eimeria spp had the largest share. Parasites of zoonotic
importance (Fasciola and Moniezia) were also detected. Therefore, there is need for
regular screening of animals being introduced from one state to the other and also
from neighbouring countries for effective monitoring and control of parasitic
diseases in domestic animals and human population.