Gastrointestinal parasites of buffaloes from Udgir area of Marathwada: A coprological appraisal

Abstract

In a round the year coprological prevalence survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in domestic buffaloes of Udgir area carried out from August 2015 to July 2016, a prevalence to the tune of 12.42% was noted. An overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded as Strongyles sp. 7.78%, Strongyloides sp. 1.61%, Trichuris sp. 1.04%, Moniezia expansa 0.69%, Eimeria sp. 0.42%, mixed infection 0.92% and Toxocara sp. 0.34%. Seasonal pattern of prevalence showed highest infection in monsoon followed by in winter and lest during summer. Age-wise analysis of gastrointestinal parasitic infections showed various trends of infection. In the early age Group 1 (calves of below 6 months age) showed the highest infection of 32.5%, the young-adults age Group 2 (6 to 18 months) shows moderate infection of 17.96% while lowest infection occurred in adult was 7.59%. Sex-wise analysis indicated higher in males than female. Breed-wise analysis conducted for prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection showed significant variation within the breeds of buffalo. Highest infection seen in Murrah i.e. 20.7% followed by Marathwadi (15.81%) and Non-descript (9.24%) breed of buffaloes.