Seasonal variation in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthoses in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major constraints for profitable livestock production. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation in gastrointestinal helminthic infections in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal. A total 2520 faecal samples of cattle were collected from five different places of NAZ of West Bengal during the study period i.e. March 2014 to February 2015. The faecal samples were examined by standard sedimentation and floatation technique. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded as 55.71% in cattle of NAZ and Paramphistome (40.64%) was recorded as the predominant parasite followed by Strongyle group of nematodes (8.25%) and Fasciola (3.33%). Moniezia was the only cestode parasite recorded with an overall prevalence of 1.97%. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) variation was observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among the various seasons. Monsoon season has significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes (64.28%) followed by winter (57.14%) and lowest in summer (45.24%). Prevalence of Paramphistome (47.62%) and Strongyle (9.52) were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher monsoon compared to other seasons. The epidemiological knowledge/information gathered in the present study would be exploited for evolving strategic control method against gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle.

Keywords:

• Gastrointestinal helminths
• prevalence
• seasonal variation
• cattle

Acknowledgement

The authors thankfully acknowledge Late Prof. J. D. Ghosh and the financial assistance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi in conducting this study under the research project entitled “All India Network Programme on Gastrointestinal Parasitism.”