Prevalence, Risk Factors and Prophylactic Measurements of Helminth Infestation in Draught Donkeys in West Kordofan State

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the prevalence rates of helminthic infestations, its associated risk factors and to investigate prophylactic measurements for the control of helminth infestation in draught donkeys in Ghebaish and Alfula localities and selected surrounding villages of West Kordofan State. The study included examination of (1200) fecal samples, (600) blood samples for PCV. Besides (600) questionnaires were filled by donkey owners. Faecal samples examination revealed (9) different pathogenic helminth throughout the year, giving an overall prevalence rate 38.25% (20.25% for Ghebaish and 18% for Alfula). The majority of the infected animals were found with strongylus representing (59.91%) followed by mixed infection, Dictyocaulus, Strongyloids, Cyathostomes, Oxyuris, Parascaris, Anoplocephla, Paranoplocephla and Trichostrongylus constituting (16.78%), (6.54%), (5.01%), (3.49%), (3.49%), (2.61%), (1.09%), (0.65%) and (0.44%), respectively. The helminth infection rate in Ghebaish locality was found higher representing (53%), whereas, in Alfula locality was (47%). The overall mean egg per gram count (epgc) was 704.14±116.59 with a range of 50 - 10200 (epg). The infection was found (68.85%) for mild, (17.86%) for severe and (13.29%) for moderate infections. Most of infections were found during dry hot season (poor vegetation season) representing (51.63%) followed by wet and dry cool constituting (24.84%) and (23.53%), respectively. Strongylus spp was found predominant in the three seasons, high in the dry hot followed by dry cool and then wet season. The prevalence of Strongylus spp and mixed infection were found to be significantly higher in the two localities mainly in Ghebaish during the dry hot season. The value of mean packed cell volume in study area was found to be 32.38±7.37. The minimum and maximum values of PCV were 17 and 50 respectively. The mean PCV difference was not statistically significant. VI Questionnaires analysis for risk factors revealed; the prevalence rate of helminth infection of donkeys of owners who responded to the questionnaire was (38.50%). The majority of the donkeys were found in good and moderate body condition. The Highest helminth infections were found among age group 6 – 10 years representing (68.83%), followed by >10 years (19.91%) and ≤ 5 years (11.26%). Whilst, there was no statistically significant difference in infection according to sex. Helminth infestations were found high in donkeys with bad body condition, fed indoor, tethered with sandy bedding. The great majority of the infected draught donkeys were found related to the owners who were not aware of the presence of helminth infections and the use of anthelmintic treatments, and had no clear idea about the sources and response to the treatment. The therapeutic efficacy percentage of the four treatment groups used was 100% 14 days post-treatment. The persistent effect of Moxidectin was continuous up to D 91, while in Ivermectin, Doramectin and Albendazole extended to D 84. The treatment interval was 98.76.96 in Moxidectin, 88.908.76 in Ivermectin, 88.205.90 in Doramectin and 83.2214.19 in Albendazole. Accordingly, due to limitless roles and importance of donkeys in livelihood and social life of human, it is recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should coordinate and collaborate in joint multidisciplinary plans to improve the health and welfare of donkeys in Sudan. Further researches on epidemiology of donkey diseases are recommended.