Abstract:
Paramphistomes are Digenean Trematodes which are parasitic mainly on
ruminants. Paramphistome infections occur in large numbers in Sri Lanka but,
detailed information on the actual prevalence of the disease in Sri Lanka is not
available as no statistics on this issue are being kept. This disease represents one of
the major constraints in Sri Lanka’s large ruminants’ husbandry. Economic losses
are due to mortality, reduced growth rates, working capacity, low milk production
and low productivity; infected animals fetch lower prices at slaughter. Except in
few places cattle/buffalo rearing in Matara district has not carried out in large scale.
According to the information available at the Veterinary Office, Department of
Animal Production and Health, Paramphistomiasis is commonly found among
buffaloes in Matara district. But no records are maintained on infected individuals.
Therefore the study of prevalence and distribution of Paramphistomiasis in
Matara district is an important issue. Present study was focused on the prevalence
of Paramphistomiasis in two selected sites in Matara district; a farm situated in a
suburban area of Matara where buffaloes were managed semi intensively and other
site is in village area where buffaloes were managed by extensive farming. Overall
objectives of the study were, (i). To compare the total prevalence of
Paramphistomiasis among farm reared buffaloes and buffaloes reared in the village
house (ii). To compare the prevalence of the disease among age groups within site
and between sites (iii). To compare the overall EPG (Egg Per Gram) in the faecal
samples between farm reared buffaloes and buffaloes in the village house (iv). To
compare the EPG in the faecal samples among age groups within site and between
two rearing systems (v). To compare the population distribution of intermediate
host; Indoplanorbis exustus within site and between sites (vi). To study and
compare the physic chemical parameters of water bodies in two sites. Faecal
samples of fifty-one farm reared buffaloes and thirty-nine of village house reared
buffaloes were examined by sedimentation technique. EPG values and infection
prevalence were obtained. Distributions of intermediate host population determined
by belt transect method and random sampling method in the farm land. As village
house area was a huge area, only belt transect method was used. Using the data
collected, intermediate host population density, frequency and abundance were
calculated. Physico chemical parameters of the water bodies found in the two sites
were also obtained. Overall EPG values of two rearing system were not
significantly difference (p = 0.438). With exception of 1 - 3 y age groups between
two rearing system (p = 0.01), there were no significant difference between EPG in
age groups in two sites. Considering the EPG values among age groups, within site,
significant Afferent found only between age groups I - 3 y and 3 - 5 y in farm
reared buffaloes (p = 0.015) and I - 3 y and 3 - 5 y in village house reared
buffaloes (p = 0.003). Overall infection prevalence in farm reared buffaloes and
village house reared buffaloes were 70.6% and 92.3% respectively. Infection
prevalence were significantly difference (p = 0.005) among age groups between
sites while no significant different (p = 0.298) was found among age groups within
same site. Population frequency of snails were significantly difference (p = 0.025)
between two site while there population density was not significance difference (p
= 0.11). Neither frequency (p = 1.0) nor density (p = 1.0) of intermediate host were
significantly different among the plots within the farm land. But there was a
significant difference between intermediate host population frequency (p = 0.042)
and no significant differences between population density (p = 1 .0 ) among plots
within village house area. Most of the physic chemical parameters were
significantly different between two sites than in water bodies in same site. The risk
of Paramphistomiasis may be considerably reduced with a high standard of grazing
management and other prophylactic measures are routinely applied. Such
managerial practices as avoidance of permanent snail habitats, provision of
alternative watering places during the dry season, use of correct stocking rate,
regular and strategic anthelmintic treatment are various methods of snail control.
These could be proposed as reduce in prevalence of Paramphistomiasis in these
area.