Bovine Gastrointestinal Parasitism with Special Emphasis on Cryptosporidiosis in Badulla District

Abstract

Due to the negative impact of subclinical parasitic infections on production; control of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in cattle is becoming an important management practice. Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease and there is no effective therapy. This study examines the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in Badulla district with special interest on Cryptosporidium spp. and identifies the significance of age, water source and feeding pattern for the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in faeces from a total of 250 cattle in three age categories was examined. Eggs of gastrointestinal parasites were identified using salt flotation technique and McMaster method. Larval culture was done to identify the genera of parasites. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium were demonstrated using the Shearther's sucrose flotation method followed by staining with modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. In Badulla district the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and Cryptosporidium were 57.2% (143/250) and 15.2% (38/250) respectively. Trichostrongylus spp, Haemonchus spp, Strongyloid spp, Toxocara spp, Trichurisspp, Moniezia spp, Eimeria spp were the common gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Badulla district. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium was significantly higher in cattle <6 months (57.9%; 22/4) compared with 7-12 months and >12 months of age (P <0.05). The highest prevalence of infection (81.5%; 31 /4) was observed with cattle served with surface water. There was no significant association of prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts with feeding pattern (P >0.05). These findings clearly demonstrate that cattle in Badulla district are more exposed to the infection.