Diagnostic Study of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Buffaloes in Mosul City, Iraq

A. Taha; Ibrahim N. Kh; Rasha Azeez; Qaes Alsarhan; S. Hassan

Diagnostic Study of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Buffaloes in Mosul City, Iraq

2023

A. Taha | Ibrahim N. Kh | Rasha Azeez | Qaes Alsarhan | S. Hassan

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are often associated with diarrhea in buffaloes, which affects health, growth, and production. They are also sources of infestation in the herd, nearby herds, and grazing areas. The current study aims to diagnose the different types of GIP that infect buffaloes in the Mosul city, Iraq, and to determine their infestation rate. A total of 100 fecal samples were randomly collected from buffaloes of different ages (ranging from 1.5 to 5 years old) and both sexes in various regions of Mosul city. These samples were examined using direct smear technique, with or without iodine dye, flotation method, and sedimentation method, with or without methylene blue dye, between September 2022 and February 2023. The overall infestation rate with GIP was 59%, comprising intestinal protozoa (56%), Nematodes (6%), and Trematodes (2%). That included Buxtonella sulcata (56%); Trichostrongylus spp. (3%); Haemonchus spp. (1%); Cooperia spp. (1%); Ostertagia ostertagi. (1%); and Fasciola hepatica (2%). Moreover, a variation in the infestation rates according to the months of collected samples was observed; significantly (P<0.05) highest infestation rate was recorded in February at 93.3%, followed by November at 82%, and the lowest infestation rate was recorded in October and September at 16% and 36.3%, respectively. In conclusion, the highest infestation rate with GIP in buffaloes in the city of Mosul, Iraq, this must be given increased attention by owners and veterinarians for strategical control of these parasites. 

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