Abstract

Prevalence of protozoan parasites in gastrointestinal tract of Goats

Authors: Sira Tabassum, Mateen Arshad, Saima Naz, Durali Danabas and Rayees Ahmad Bhat

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2022.013

Abstract
Protozoan parasites cause severe diseases in livestock including buffaloes, sheep, goats and human either by ingestion of contaminated meat or faeces containing oocysts, and also from drinking milk of infected cattle. In present study prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoan parasites were examined in goats. A total of 100 faecal samples were obtained from Lahore Meat Processing Unit (LMPC) to detect the presence of protozoan parasites like Entamoeba histolytica, Neospora species, Eimeria, Balantidium coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Qualitative techniques (direct smear, floatation and centrifugation techniques) were used to identify parasites. Data analysis revealed that overall prevalence of protozoan in faecal samples was 56%. The percentage prevalence of Eimeria, Entamoeba, Balantidium and Neospora species, was 31, 13, 7 and 5%, respectively. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were not observed. Detailed analysis revealed that Eimeria species were observed. In which Eimeria ahasta had highest prevalence (20%) followed by Eimeria intricate (8%) and Eimeria arloingi (3%). Gender-wise comparison revealed that 24% male and 32% female goats were infected with protozoan. Challenges are there by the wide prevalence of protozoan so there is the need to bring awareness in public for control strategies to reduce parasitic load.

Keywords: Parasites, Entamoeba, Gastrointestinal Protozoan, Qualitative techniques