Prevalance of Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Cattle, in Banskhali Upazilla, Chittagong

Abstract

A two month long (5th May to 4th July, 2013) prevalence study on gastrointestinal parasitism was conducted in cattle of Banskhali Upazilla, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A total of 50 fecal samples were collected randomly from different cattle breed (Red Chittagong Cattle, local breed and crossbred of HF). Samples were examined by routine coproscopical methods. The investigation revealed that, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infestation was 64% in the study population. Among different single gastrointestinal parasitic infections, the overall prevalence of Paramphistomum spp infection was the highest (22%) followed by Toxocara spp infection (12%). The lowest overall prevalence was recorded in Trichostrongylus spp infection (2%). In case of mixed infection, the prevalence of Paramphistomum and Oesophagostomum is same as Paramphistomum and Oocysts (2%). Age specific prevalence was found higher in young cattle than adult and calf. In calf, Paramphistomum spp and Toxocara spp infection is higher (30%) than other species of parasites. In young and adult animal, Paramphistomum infection is highest 29.41% and 30% respectively. Sex specific prevalence exposed that female cattle showed almost same susceptibility to different gastrointestinal parasites like male but it was not statistically significant. However, prevalence of Paramphistomum spp infections was the highest in female cattle (35%) than male. Prevalence of Fasciola spp infections (18.18%) along with Toxocara spp (18.18%) were found more in male cattle. Trichostrongylus spp and Moniezia spp infection were only recorded in female cattle of this study. It could be stated that the current investigation was a limited study as tophographical variation, seasonal pattern of the diseases, short study period and small number of study population. Hence, it can be recommended further extensive investigation on gastrointestinal parasitism to overcome the limitation of the current studies which will assist to determine the important predictors related to such diseases.