The Status of Strongyle and Parascaris Population in Working Donkeys in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross- sectional study was conducted in three selected districts of central Shoa, Ethiopia, from November 2007 to April 2008 to determine the prevalence and burden of strongyle and parascaris population in Adaa, Bereh and Boset districts. A total of 246 faecal samples were collected randomly from Bereh (n=56), Boset (n=85) and Ada (n=105) for qualitative and quantitative faecal analysis. The overall prevalence of Strongyles and Parascaris equorum was 92% and 32.50%, respectively. The prevalence of strongyle was 92.5% in Bereh, 87% in Boset and 95% in Adaa.  The prevalence of Parascaris equorum was 43%, 26% and 32% in Bereh, Boset and Ada, respectively. Overall, 33% of the donkeys were positive for both strongyle and Parascaris equorum. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in prevalence rate of strongyle and parascaris across the study districts. The overall mean epg for strongyle and Parascaris equorum was 2893 and 120, respectively. Body condition score was not good indicator of level of parasitism in working donkeys. There was statistically significance difference (P<0.05) between age groups for the prevalence and mean epg of parascaris infection. As donkeys get access to deworing program increases, prevalence and parasitic burden decrease.  Cultural identification of larvae revealed S. vulgaris (67.5%), S. edentatus (46%), S. eqinus (8%), T. axei (58.5%), cyathostomes (35.8%), S. westeri (35.8%) and triodontophorus (15.8%) during this study.

Keywords: Donkey, Parascaris equorum, Strongyles, Prevalence, Ethiopia