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Endoparasites of Donkeys in Sululta and Gefersa Districts of Central Oromia, Ethiopia
Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the species composition and prevalence of endoparasites of donkeys in Sululta and Gefersa districts of central Oromia from November 2008 to April 2009. For this purpose, a total of 417 faecal samples (209 from Sululta and 208 from Gefersa) were coprologically examined for nematode, cestode and trematode infections. In addition, 9 donkeys that died of various health problems or were euthanized for welfare reasons were necropsied and the parasites were recovered and identified. Coprological examinations showed prevalence of 99.5% strongyles, 53% Parascaris equorum, 9.8% Fasciola species, 5.7% Gastrodiscus aegypticus and 2.8% Anoplocephala species. Significantly (p<0.05) higher mean prevalence and overall epg count was observed for strongyles and Parascaris equorum in yOlmg donkeys than in both adults and old donkeys. Fw1:hermore, ovaculture revealed 100% prevalence of strongyles, cyathostomins and Trichostrongylus axei, 73.8% Strongylus vulgaris, 42.8% Strongyloides westeri and 42.8% Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of ten different species of parasites. The overall worm counts ranged from 266-14112 with a mean of 1597 worms per donkey. All the postmortem examined donkeys were positive for one or more species of endoparasites. The results of the current study demonstrate that a wide range of parasites with high prevalence affect donkeys in Ethiopia.
... Some active bloodsuckers, such as Strongyles, cause varying degrees of injury based on the species and numbers present, as well as the nutritional and immunological health of the equids (Jajere et al., 2016). According to available evidence, gastrointestinal helminths are the primary cause of early death in donkeys (Feseha et al., 1991;Gebreab et al., 2004;Gebrewold et al., 2004;Zerihun et al., 2011). Donkeys can be infected by more than 150 different helminth parasites. ...
... Intestinal parasitism has a direct impact on the health and production of draft donkeys, which contributes to the reduction of their draft performance and, ultimately, the income of the owner and the community (Debere et al., 2018;Fesseha et al., 2020;Mathewos et al., 2021b). The overall prevalence of GI parasites using coprological investigation was 100%, which is consistent with earlier reports that reported 100% in Dugda Bora districts (Ayele et al., 2006), 100% in project and control areas in the central region of Ethiopia (Abebew et al., 2011), and 99.5% in Sululta and Gefersa (Zerihun et al., 2011). The similarity ought to be due to the management of the donkeys and the massive incidence of GI parasites. ...
... Donkeys were also 100% positive for strongyle eggs, which is in line with the findings of Ayele et al. (2006) in Dugda Bora districts, Zerihun et al. (2011) in Sululta and Gefersa, Yoseph et al. (2001) in Mulate (2005) in highlands of Wollo Province, who reported a prevalence of 100%, and Wannas (2012) in Al Diwaniyah Governorate and Hassan et al. (2004) in Figure 3. Prevalence of polyparasitism in donkeys of the study area. ...
Background
Gastrointestinal parasites are the cause of morbidity and mortality in working donkeys and reduce their working performance.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to July 2021 to assess gastrointestinal parasite infection in working donkeys in Shashemane and the surrounding district. A total of 395 donkeys were randomly sampled for the study, and an examination was conducted using faecal egg count and the Baermann technique.
Results
Out of the 395 sampled donkeys, different types of gastrointestinal parasites were identified. The parasites identified during the study were Strongyle spp. (100%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Fasciola spp. (0.3%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%) and Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%). Identification of L3 larvae of GI parasites revealed that Cyathostomes spp. (96.2%), Strongylus vulgaris (92.9%), Trichostrongylus axei (90.4%), Strongylus edentatus (89.4%), and Dictyocaulus arnifieldi (49.6%) were the most prevalent. Infection with one species of helminth was more common (60.8%).
Conclusions
Thus, working donkeys in the present study area were infected with Strongyle spp. (100%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%) and Fasciola spp. (0.3%) parasites. Hence, comprehensive donkey health, management, and implementation of appropriate parasite control strategies should be implemented to alleviate these problems.
... Infection by GI nematodes is common among donkeys [12][13][14][15]. In this study, the overall prevalence of GI nematode infection of donkeys in the study area is relatively of high rate which indicated that GI nematodes are paramount diseases in equine.This result is in agreement with the studies of Sawsan et al. [16] in South Darfur state. ...
This cross sectional study was undertakento determine the spectrum of species and prevalence of major gastrointestinal tract nematode parasites involved in donkeysin selected districts of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia.Fecal samples of 384donkeys were examined using qualitative techniques. Of these, 42.7% of donkeys were infected. The species identified and their prevalenceswere,strongyles (34.4%), Parascarisequorum (3.1%) and Oxyuris equi (1.8%). The infections were single or multiple. Indeed, 92.07% of donkeys were infected by a single species and 7.9% by multiple species. No significant difference (p<?0.05) was indicated in terms of sex.However, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the infection rate ofgastrointestinal tract nematode parasites among age groups of donkeys where higher prevalence was observed in older donkeys (81.0%) followed by young (35.7%) and adult (27.6%) donkeys. The prevalence of GI nematode parasite was significantly highest (p<0.05) in poor body condition donkeys (69.2%) followed by medium (34.1%) and good (23.5%). Thus,GInematode parasitic infection is an important parasitic disease of donkeys in the study area.It is suggested that the combination of strategic use of anthelmintics with good management practice could improve the control of GI nematode infections in donkeys in the study area.
... Deworming frequency had significant association (P<0.05) with prevalence of Helminthes infections. High prevalence was recorded in non-dewormed animals and lower prevalence in dewormed and also highest mean level of infection was in non-dewormed than dewormed, This is in agreement with the report of Zerihun et al. (2011) and Ayele and Dinka (2010). The reason why dewormed equines infected might be either due to the anthelmintic used for the treatment suppress egg production. ...
A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in and around Hawassa town to estimate the prevalence of donkeys gastrointestinal helminthes parasites and the associated risk factors and to assess the infection level also undertaken to identify the genera of parasites prevailing in the study areas. A total of 420 faecal samples systematically collected from donkeys, and examined through floatation, mc master egg counting techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes parasites observed during this study was (82.6%). During the study period, the individual prevalence of Strongyle, Parascaris equorum and Oxyuris equi was (72.6%), (4.5%), (0.3%) identified and also the mixed infection observed between strongyle and Parascaris equorum (17%); and strongyle and Oxyuris equi (0.6%) infection respectively. The copro-culture examination revealed the dominance of strongylus Spp.(62%), followed by (14.1%) Triodontophorus spp., (7.6%) Oesophagodontus spp. (13%) Cyathostomes and (3.3%) strongloides species. The Sex, Age, Body conditions score, Deworming history and Fecal consistency were considered as putative factors but only deworming history and Age of the animals significantly associated to the infection (P <0.05). The overall mean egg count revealed 626.8 EPG, with majority of the donkeys in the study area were suffered from light infection (44%). In conclusion, the current study revealed higher prevalence of GIT helminthes infection in donkeys in the study area. Therefore, in order to reduce the prevalence regular deworming, improvement of feeding and management systems and awareness creation to animal owners was recommended.
... The prevalence of Strongyles spps in the present study was 74.7%. This result was higher than the earlier findings of [35] 57.2%, in Tenta woreda, [37] 57.14%, in Gonder town and [17] 33.9% in Dodola district; but it was much lower than the earlier findings of [13,25,39,40] who reported prevalence of 100, 100, 100 and 98.2% in Sululta and Gefersa, Wonchi, highlands of Wollo province and Western highlands of Oromia, respectively. This may most probably be attributed to the difference in the area or due to nutritional status of the animal in the respective study area which can influence the level of immunity of the host or by deworming strategy and accessibility to veterinary clinic. ...
... Some of the previous works recoded the status of GIT parasites in different parts of the country with various level of occurrence rate. Thus, it was reported that the prevalence of endo-parasites of equine in Sululta andGefersa districts of Central Ethiopia with 99.5% Strongyles, 53% Parascaris equorum, 9.8% and 2.8% Anoplocephala species (Zerihun, 2011). also reported that prevalence of GIT parasite in Ethiopia with the prevalence of 99% of Strongyles spp, 80% of Parascaris and 8% of Tapeworm. ...
A cross-sectional study of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of equine was conducted for 6 months in and around in and around Chole district in East Arsi zone of Oromia Regional State from November 2018 to April 2019. The prevalence of helminth parasites of equines. A total of 384 faecal samples (donkeys (n=238), horses and (n=146) were collected from randomly selected equine for qualitative faecal examination and examined with direct smear, flotation, sedimentation techniques. All species and age groups were infested with identical parasite species. Out of 384 faecal samples examined, five species of parasite helminthes ova/larvae were revealed during the study period. The overall prevalence of GIT parasites was 97.4% (374/384) with the occurrence rate of 97.9% and 96.6% in donkey, and horse, respectively. The more common parasites encountered in equines in order of predominance were, Strongyles spp. (68.71%), Parascaris equorum (29.2%), Oxyuris equi (10%), Anoplocephala spp (5.15%) and strongyloides wesiterii (0.76%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of helminthosis between sexes, ages and species of equine species. Generally poly parasitism was the common finding of this work. Equine diseases in general, parasitism in particular, should be given attention in the region where equines are practically participating in all agricultural activities, from tillage to harvest.
... Introduction damage due to nematode infection is depending on the species, infestation rate of the parasite and, nutritional and the immune status of equine. Nematode infection cause to reduction the performance of animal, poor productivity, poor weight gain, high morbidity and mortality and cause to high treatment cost for the owner [10]. In developing country gastrointestinal parasite are the most important disease in equine and it cause one of the source of poverty [11]. ...
... Introduction damage due to nematode infection is depending on the species, infestation rate of the parasite and, nutritional and the immune status of equine. Nematode infection cause to reduction the performance of animal, poor productivity, poor weight gain, high morbidity and mortality and cause to high treatment cost for the owner [10]. In developing country gastrointestinal parasite are the most important disease in equine and it cause one of the source of poverty [11]. ...
... Parasitic helminthes are one of the most common factors that constrain the health and working performance of donkeys and horses worldwide. They cause various degrees of damage depending on the species and number at present, nutritional and the immune status of eqiuds (Asefa et al., 2011). They decrease the performance, production and productivity in the animals mainly in the reduction of body weight or failure to gain weight or even increase the mortality in acute case (Ramaswamy, 1994). ...
In June 2022, at the XXXII Conference of the Italian Society of Parasitology, the parallels of the main endoparasitic infections of horses and donkeys were discussed. Although these 2 species are genetically different, they can be challenged by a similar range of parasites (i.e. small and large strongyles, and Parascaris spp.). Although equids can demonstrate some level of resilience to parasites, they have quite distinct helminth biodiversity, distribution and intensity among different geographical locations and breeds. Heavily infected donkeys may show fewer clinical signs than horses. Although parasite control is primarily provided to horses, we consider that there may be a risk of drug-resistance parasitic infection through passive infection in donkeys when sharing the same pasture areas. Knowing the possible lack of drug efficacy (300 EPG may be a safe recommendation. We have highlighted the main points of the discussion including the dynamics of helminth infections between the 2 species.
Parasitic infection is one of the major problems in equines which negatively influence their health. It hinders working performance of equines. This study was conducted to evaluate donkey owners' knowledge and control measures on prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Maseru district. A total of 144 donkey owners were selected for individual interviews through a stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze data. The significance (p <0.05) of different AEZs was tested using a post-hoc cell-wise adjusted standardized residual analysis. Majority of donkey owners were familiar with the GIPs especially nematodes as it seemed to be the most occurring, but there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) across the AEZs. The adult donkeys were mostly susceptible to different GIPs according to respondents and severe infection was experienced in summer and winter. Donkeys were dewormed seasonally using anthelmintics with inappropriate weighing instruments to establish the dosage, however, chi-square test pointed out the significance (p = 0.004) effect between types of medication used across the AEZs. Donkeys were kept in non-roofed stables that were not cleaned regularly hence, these compromised their welfare. However, communal grazing shared by different livestock species was the main source of animal feeding though it was found to be the major source of GIPs. Therefore, there is a need to equip them on the proper skills to improve on their management practices and the behaviour of parasites in different areas. This will help donkey owners adhere to appropriate control and prevention strategies.
The endoparasites of horses and donkeys of different ages from the Konya region in Turkey, between May 2003 and June 2005 were determined. The samples of fresh faeces were collected from 111 horses and 81 donkeys and sent to diagnostic laboratories for the examination by floatation, sedimentation, and Baermann-Wetzel methods. In addition, faecal cultures were prepared for the differentiation of larvae of Strongylidae. Parasites were encountered in 100% of horses and donkeys. Among the parasites determined in horses, the prevalence of Strongylidae, Parascaris equorum, Strongyloides westeri, Fasciola sp., Anoplocephalidae, Oxyuris equi, Trichuris sp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Eimeria leucarti, and Eimeria sp. was 100%, 10.81%, 7.2%, 3.6%, 2.7%, 1.8%, 0.9%, 0.9%, 4.5%,. and 12.61%, respectively. In donkeys, the prevalence of Strongylidae, S. westeri, P. equorum, Fasciola sp., Anoplocephalidae, Oxyuris equi, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Eimeria leucarti, and other Eimeria sp. was 100%, 12.34%, 9.8%, 6.17%, 6.17%, 1.23%, 1.23%, 3.7%, and 22.22%, respectively. According to faecal cultures, the prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Trichonema sp., Triodontophorus sp., and Poteriostomum sp. was 31.53%, 17.11%, 58.55%, 6.3%, and 5.40% in horses, respectively, and 23.45%, 14.81%, 74.07%, 4.93%, and 2.46% in donkeys, respectively.
Thirty-four donkeys from Henan Province, China, were examined at necropsy for strongyloid nematodes in the caecum (February
2006 to January 2007). Twenty-two species, including 18 Cyathostominae (small strongyles) and 4 Strongylinae (large strongyles),
were identified. The five most prevalent Cyathostominae were Cylicocyclus nassatus (73.5%), Coronocyclus labratus (70.6%), Coronocyclus labiatus (67.6%), Cyathostomum tetracanthum (61.8%) and Coronocyclus coronatus (52.9%), accounting for 70.2% of all species identified; C. labratus (124.2 ± 256.4), Cyathostomum tetracanthum (96.4 ± 210.5) and Cylicocyclus nassatus (80.9 ± 117.1) had the greatest mean abundance, whereas Strongylus vulgaris was the most prevalent (88.2%) of the Strongylinae and had the highest mean abundance (34.9 ± 37.8). The numbers of species
per donkey ranged from 1 to 15 (with a median of 7.1). Only a small percentage (5.9%) of donkeys were infected by a single
species, whereas the other donkeys had infections with multiple species.
A year round study (from October-2004 to September-2005) was conducted in Dugda Bora district (Ethiopia) to identify the gastrointestinal parasites of donkeys, determine their prevalence rates and find associations between measurable parameters and parasites burden. A total of 339 faecal samples were collected randomly for qualitative and quantitative faecal analysis. The parasites encountered were Strongyle (100%), Parascaris equorum (50%), Anoplocephala Spp. (7.4%), Gastrodiscus aegypticus (6%), Oxuris equi (3%) and Fasciola (1.5%). Gross faecal examinations revealed Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis (20.9%). 81.7% of donkeys sampled were severely infected, 8.3% heavily, 3.8% moderately and 6.2% mildly infected. Mixed infections were detected in 54.8% of the donkeys. Cultural identification of larvae (n=28) demonstrated Strongylus vulgaris (100%), Cyathostomes (100%), Strongylus edentatus (66.6%), Trichostrongylus axei (40%), Strongloides westeri (33.3%), Triodontophorus (50%) and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (20%). Rainy season encouraged Strongyle infection and there was no significant age associated immunity (p>0.05) to Strongyle and Parascaris equorum infections. The body condition score and packed cell volume were negatively correlated (r= -0.67 & -0.6, respectively) with the total epg count. The presumptive clinical examination of donkeys (n=1674) showed that Parasitosis (45%), Parasitosis and wounds (16.8%), wounds (16.4%), lameness (6%), respiratory complications (5.4%), septicemia (4.2%), sarciod (3.1%) and eye problems (2%) were the health problems in the area. Parasitism, wounds and other health problems were identified affecting the health and welfare of donkeys and Government or other development agencies should include donkeys in their priority lists of research and develop sustainable integrated diseases prevention and control programs that are practical in developing communities.
Summary A study was conducted in three selected highland districts of western Oromia, Ethiopia, during the year 2002 –2003 to assess constraints of equine production with emphasis on gastrointestinal parasites. Coprological study (n=388) indicated that overall prevalence of small and large strongyles was (92.8%), Parascaris equorum (17.1%), Dictyocaulus arnifildi (2.6%) and Oxyuris equi (2.1%). Likewise, quantitative coprological study (egg count per gram of feces) (EPG) indicated moderate infection in 29.4%, 49.4% and 38.6%; and severe infection in 37.3%, 28.9% and 31.8% in donkeys, horses and mules, respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in prevalence rate and EPG across study districts, equine species, and sex of the animals. There was significant difference in prevalence rate and EPG count in different seasons of the year, body condition and age of equines. Therefore, strategic and tactical approaches of parasitic control and further epidemiological investigation of equine diseases are recommended.
Effective parasite control is essential for the maintenance of optimal health and performance in the horse. The worldwide escalation of parasite resistance is a major cause of concern for the horse industry. Parasite resistance to every main class of equine anthelmintic has been documented. Furthermore, dual and cross resistance also have been widely reported, despite different climatic and management practices seen throughout the world. Studies documenting parasite resistance to major classes of equine anthelmintics are discussed. Disagreement among researchers exists regarding how to effectively control equine internal parasites. Current theories of factors leading to resistance and control programs are discussed. It is clear that parasite resistance and control in the horse is an area requiring continued intensive study.
A 3-year survey was conducted to determine the incidence of endoparasitic infection of equines in several regions of Macedonia and Thessalia, Greece. Three hundred fecal and 252 blood samples were examined. Fecal examination was carried out using. Teleman and Faust techniques while blood was examined according to the modified Knott technique. The Graham test was also performed. The prevalence of infection found was 62.4% for horses, 75.7% for donkeys and 89.2% for mules. Strongyles (large and small) were the most common parasitic species found, with a corresponding prevalence of 42.5% and 45.6% for horses, 73.0% and 37.8% for donkeys, and 89.2% for mules. Other parasites found were: Eimeria leuckarti (2.6% in horses and 8.1% in donkeys), Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.4% in horses), Parascaris equorum (1.7% in horses), Oxyuris equi (4.1% in horses and 8.7% in mules), Strongyloides westeri (2.2% in horses, 5.4% in donkeys and 10.8% in mules), Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (0.9% in horses and 2.7% in donkeys) and Setaria equina (2.2% in horses and 2.7% in donkeys).
A cross-sectional coprological survey in the tropical regions of Ada, Akaki, Bereh and Boset, and a retrospective post-mortem investigation were conducted to study the epidemiology of fasciolosis in working donkeys in Ethiopia. Faecal samples from 803 donkeys were collected, and the number of liver flukes recovered from 112 donkeys at post-mortem between 1995 and 2004 were analysed. There was a high prevalence of fasciolosis irrespective of the age of the donkeys. The overall prevalence of the infection was 44.4% in coprologically examined donkeys, and the prevalence in the donkeys examined post-mortem was 41.9%. The infection prevalence was significantly higher in Bereh and Ada regions than in Akaki and Boset regions. Bereh with 72.6% and Boset with 21.5% showed a significantly higher and lower infection prevalence, respectively, than the rest of the regions (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between different age groups of donkeys in the infection prevalence (P>0.05) but infection intensity was significantly higher in donkeys 8 years old and above (P<0.0001). Both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica were identified.
The general prevalence and population composition of gastrointestinal and pulmonary helminths of working donkeys were studied. For the purpose 2935 working donkeys were coprologically examined for nematode and cestode, and 215 donkeys for trematode infections. Seven donkeys that died due to various health problems or were euthanased on a welfare ground were necropsied and the parasites were recovered and identified to the species level. The study was conducted during the periods 1996-1999.
Coprological examination revealed 99% strongyle, 80% Fasciola, 51% Parascaris, 30% Gastrodiscus, 11% Strongyloides westeri, 8% cestodes and 2% Oxyuris equi infection prevalence. Over 55% of donkeys had more than 1000 eggs per gram of faeces (epg). Forty two different species of parasites consisting of 33 nematodes, 3 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 3 arthropod larvae were identified from postmortem examined donkeys. Among the nematodes 17 species of Cyathostominae and 7 species of Strongylinae were identified. Other parasites identified include, Habronema muscae, Draschia megastoma, Trichostrongylus axei, Strongyloides westeri, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, Anoplocephaloides (Paranoplocephala) mamillana, Parascaris equorum, Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Oxyuris equi, Probstmayria vivipara, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gasterophilus nasalis, Rhinoestrus uzbekistanicus and Setaria equina. This study revealed that working donkeys in Ethiopia are infected with a range of helminths and arthropod larvae, which are representatives of the important pathogenic parasites found in equids worldwide.
In total, 14 male donkeys aged between 2 and 10 years were obtained in July and November 1986, and January and April 1987 from a communal area in the Zimbabwean highveld, with the aim of studying their parasite populations. Thirteen species of small strongyles were found, numbers ranging between 3900 and 222 767 worms. The small strongyle populations consisted predominantly of adult worms in all donkeys. These results suggest that rather stable, small strongyle populations, mainly consisting of long-living adult worms, occur in Zimbabwean donkeys. The species found were, in order of abundance, Cyathostomum montgomeryi, Cylicostephanus minutus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus auriculatus, Cyathostomum tetracanthum, Cylicostephanus bidentatus, Triodontophorus nipponicus, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocyclus adersi, Cyathostomum alveatum, Triodontophorus serratus, Cylicocyclus elongatus and Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus.