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Global Veterinaria 8 (4): 338-341, 2012
ISSN 1992-6197
© IDOSI Publications, 2012
Corresponding Author: Bashir Ahmad Lone , Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir,
Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir.
338
A Survey of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of
Slaughtered Sheep and Goats in Ganderbal, Kashmir
Bashir Ahmad Lone, M.Z. Chishti, Fayaz Ahmad and Hidayatullah Tak
1 1 2 2
Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir
1
Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir
2
Abstract: The aim of the study was to compare prevalence of infections with flukes, tape worms and nematodes
parasitizing gastrointestinal tract in small ruminants from various regions of District Ganderbal Kashmir. Visceral
examinations of 284 sheep and 318 goats indicated a marked variation in the level of parasitism in animals raised
in different geographic areas. It was found that the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthic infections was
higher in goats than in sheep. The most common prevalent nematodes were Haemonchus (82%), Trichuris
(74%), Nematodirus (60%), Trichostrongylus (58%), Chabertia (52%), Strongyloides (42%) and
Oesophagostomum (46%). Among cestodes, Moneizia (48%), Avitellina (42%) and Thysenezia (28%) were
reported. Among trematodes, Fasciola (60%), Dicrocoelium (52%) and, Paramphistomum (46%) were most
prevalent. The study indicates the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthic infections varies in different
seasons and in different age groups.
Key words: Cestodes % Goats % Nematodes % Prevalence % Sheep % Trematodes
INTRODUCTION The viscera were thoroughly examined and the Trematode
The sheep plays a significant role in nationalsaline and fixed in Cornoy’s fixative then kept in 70%
economy and rural socioeconomic conditions in thealcohol. The Nematode parasites were fixed in hot 70%
country. The overall development of the rural hilly areasalcohol and preserved in 70% alcohol and glycerin.
could not be achieved by neglecting the development ofThe nematodes were then cleared in Lactophenol and
the agricultural commodities like sheep and goats.identified with reference to Soulsby [4]. Like wise
Helminths play an important role in decreasing the sheeptrematodes and cestodes were processed for permanent
and goats production in the world. Goats and sheep havemounts in DPX and identified.
numerous gastrointestinal helminth parasites, many of
which are shared by both species. Compared to sheep,Statistical Analysis: Statistical analyses was conducted
which develop a strong natural immunity around 12using the chi-square test. The data was analyzed using
months of age, goats acquire a lower level of immunity to Statistical packages SPSS software version 17. In all the
gastrointestinal parasites [1]. This can result in goatsanalyses, confidence level was held at 95% and P < 0.005
having greater populations of adult parasites with highwas set for significance.
egg output [2]. The prevalence of gastrointestinal
nematode infection is very high in Kashmir valley [3].RESULTS
The principal aim of the present study was to investigate
the prevalence and to identify species diversity ofOf the total examined 284 sheep and 318 goats
gastrointestinal helminth parasites of goats and sheep inviscera, 182 (64.08%) sheep and 266 (83.64%) goats were
District Ganderbal Kashmir. found to be positive for one or more genera of
MATERIALS AND METHODS helminth parasites encountered were summarized in
Viscera of 284 sheep and 318 goats were collectedfaecal examinations. Nematodes were found most
from different slaughter houses of District Ganderbal.prevalent in both species of small ruminants
and Cestode parasites were washed with physiological
Nematodes, Trematodes and Cestodes. The most common
table 1 and similar results were found in visceral and
Global Veterinaria, 8 (4): 338-341, 2012
339
Table 1:Prevalence of helminthic infections in sheep and goats
Parasite Location Prevalence (%) in Goats Prevalence (%) in Sheep Overall Prevalence (%)
Haemonchus Abomasum 48.45 33.55 82.00
Trichuris Large intestine 41.80 32.20 74.00
Nematodirus Small intestine 32.40 27.60 60.00
Trichostrongylus Abomasum 32.60 25.40 58.00
Chabertia Large intestine 28.00 24.00 52.00
Strongyloides Small intestine 20.45 21.55 42.00
Oesophagostomum Large intestine 26.00 20.00 46.00
Moneizia Small intestine 18.90 29.10 48.00
Avitellina Small intestine 24.25 17.75 42.00
Thysaneizia Small intestine 17.85 10.15 28.00
Fasciola Liver 30.65 29.35 60.00
Dicrocoelium Small intestine 32.00 20.00 52.00
Paramphistmomum Stomach 22.45 23.55 46.00
Table 2: Age wise distribution of GI helminth parasites in sheep and goats
Sheep P = 0.002 Goats P = 0.125
---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Age group No. Examined Positive (%) No. Examined Positive (%)
0-1 38 36 (94.73) 45 44 (97.77)
1-2 32 29 (90.62) 42 40 (95.23)
2-3 36 31 (86.11) 37 34 (91.90)
3-4 40 28 (70.00) 38 32 (84.10)
4-5 30 18 (60.00) 40 32 (80.00)
5-6 38 21 (55.26) 39 27 (69.23)
6-7 36 12 (33.33) 38 22 (57.89)
7-8 34 10 (29.41) 39 20 (51.28)
Total 284 182 (64.08) 318 251 (78.93)
Table 3: Seasonal prevalence of helminth infection in sheep and goats
Sheep P = 0.008 Goats P = 0.12
-------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Seasons No. Examined Positive (%) No. Examined Positive (%)
Spring 66 40(60.60) 74 65(87.83)
Summer 82 74(90.24) 84 80(95.23)
Autumn 78 51(65.38) 88 80(90.90)
Winter 58 18(31.03) 72 38(52.77)
where the prevalences were; Haemonchus (82%),group (29.41% and 51.28% in sheep and goats
Trichuris (74%), Nematodirus (60%), Trichostrongylusrespectively) however, the sheep observations are
(58%), Chabertia (52%), Strongyloides (42%),significant (P = 0.008) but goat observations are not
Oesophagostomum (46%). Among cestodes, Moneiziasignificant (P = 0.12). The intensity of helminthic infection
(48%), Avitellina (42%) and Thyseneizia (28%) werewas greater in older age groups as revealed by high worm
reported. Among the trematodes, Fasciola (60%),load in adults.
Dicrocoelium (52%) and Paramphistomum (46%) wereThe seasonal prevalence of helminthic infection
found most prevalent. in sheep and goats is depicted in Table 3.
The age wise prevalence of helminthic parasites isThere was a gradual increase in the prevalence rate
presented in Table 2. The most infected age group was 0-1 from spring to summer with a maximum infection during
years in both sheep and goats in which percentage ofsummer and the lowest prevalence in winter. There was a
infection was 94.73% and 97.77% respectively. The leastsignificant effect of seasons on prevalence of helminthic
percentage of helminthic infection was found in older age infections.
Global Veterinaria, 8 (4): 338-341, 2012
340
DISCUSSION REFERANCES
It is well understood that epidemiology forms the
foundation on which the edifice of control of
parasitic diseases can be constructed. The present
study indicates that the infection with gastrointestinal
helminthes is a frequent phenomenon among the
small ruminants of Kashmir Valley as previously
documented [3, 5-7]. The high prevalence of
helminthic infections observed in present study
was previously reported [8-11]. In the present
study nematode infections were high prevalent
followed by trematodes and cestodes. Similar type of
results has been indicated by the works conducted by
Vlasoff [1].
The high level of infection recorded from April
onwards is due to favorable conditions for the
development of larvae in the host and environment
also the availability of intermediate host [12, 13].
High rain fall in spring also helps in providing
suitable molarity of salt present in soil, which is an
important factor for ecdysis [4]. The low level of helminth
infection reported in adult sheep is attributed to
development of the significant immune capability.
Following the elimination of the major part of their
worm burden when they are 11-12 months of age,
sheep tend to remain relatively resistant to serious
reinfection, however, they require constant exposure
to some level of infections to maintain their
resistant status [11, 14]. The present observations ay
initially be of great help to understand the
epidemiology of the GI nematodes in sheep of
Kashmir Valley and will certainly be of potential
significance planning Pasture and grazing management
and other prophylactic strategies for sheep and goats in
the study area. In conclusion, various gastrointestinal
parasites have been found in goats. Regular control
measures should be practiced to reduce the parasitic
burdens in the affected areas.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial
assistance of the Department of Science and Technology,
Govt. of India, New Delhi in conducting this study under
the research project. Authors are thankful to Prof. Azra N.
Kamili, Centre of Research for Development, University of
Kashmir, Srinagar for providing technical support during
present work.
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