A total of 213 faecal samples were collected from four abattoirs and households to determine the prevalence of helminthes infections in exotic and indigenous goats in Port Harcourt, South-South, Nigeria. The study revealed that out of 153 exotic goats (Red Sokoto) Capra hircus, 112 were infected with various species of gastrointestinal helminths; out of 60 indigenous goats (West African dwarf) Capra hircus, 49 were also infected with various types of gastrointestinal helminths. The formol-ether concentration method was used to analyse the specimens. The study revealed that an overall prevalence of (75.5%) was recorded, out of which 57 (76.0%), 55 (70.5%), and 49 (81.6%) were recorded for exotic goat in the months of May–September, 2010, exotic goat in the months October 2010–February, 2011 and for indigenous goats, respectively. The overall prevalence amongst the infected animals was not statistically significant (
Ruminants, cattle, goats and sheep, represent an important source of animal protein in many countries of the world, supplying a good percentage of the daily meat and dairy products in cities and villages in such countries including Nigeria [
Gastrointestinal parasitic infections are world-wide problem for both small and large-scale farmers, but their impact is greater in Sub-Saharan Africa due to the availability of a wide range of agroecological factors suitable for diversified hosts and parasite species [
Helminths or worms cause a wide range of health problems to both man and animals [
The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths is related to the agroclimatic conditions like quantity and quality of pasture, temperature, humidity, and grazing behavior of the host [
The information on the prevalence and distribution of various species of gastrointestinal parasites of cattle and goats kept by the nomadic Fulani’s in Nigeria and those in Port Harcourt are important in the formulation of control strategies for the nomads and other farmers.
The study was conducted in Port Harcourt City, South-South, Nigeria. Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt city Local governments are commonly referred to as Port Harcourt city. It is situated on the bonny River within the Niger Delta, South-South, Nigeria. The study area lies between latitude 40 401 and 70 101 to longitude 70 551 east of the Greenwich meridian. It is situated some 60 km from the open sea, which is immediately where the coastal marshes give way to the land of the interior. Four abattoirs were selected from Rumuodumaya: Ogbogoro, Eliozu, and Aluu communities in the study.
Faecal specimens were collected from goats in the four aforementioned community abattoirs and individual homes in the study area. Animals were usually slaughtered early in the morning between the hours of 6.30 am and 8.00 am daily for a period of ten months (May, 2008 to February, 2009). Faecal samples were randomly collected weekly from the intestines of slaughtered animals (exotic and indigenous). The samples were collected in clean labeled sterile vials, preserved in 10% formalin, and taken to the laboratory for microscopic examination.
The formol-ether concentration technique [
Eggs of Nematodes as seen under the ×40 objective of the microscope on slides stained with Lugol’s iodine.
Eggs of Trematodes as seen under the ×40 objective of the microscope on slides stained with Lugol’s iodine.
Eggs of Cestodes as seen under the ×40 objective of the microscope on slides stained with Lugol’s iodine.
A total of 75 exotic goats were examined between the months of May and September 2010. Fifty-seven (57) were infected with various species of gastrointestinal helminths as follows (see Table
Species of helminths in exotic goats between the months of May 2008 and February 2009.
Parasite type | Nematodes | Cestodes | Trematodes | |||||||||||||||
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Months | Numbers examined | Numbers infected |
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Gastrotylax |
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May | 13 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
June | 17 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
July | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
August | 15 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
September | 14 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Total | 75 | 57 (76) | 13 (17.3) | 4 (5.3) | 5 (6.6) | 2 (2.6) | 4 (5.3) | 3 (4) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (2.6) | 2 (2.6) | 7 (9.3) | 2 (2.6) | 7 (9.3) | 0 | 5 (6.6) | 0 | 2 (2.6) |
A total of 78 exotic goats were examined between the months of October 2010 and February 2011. Fifty-five (55) were infected with various species of gastrointestinal helminths as follows (see Table
Species of helminthes obtained between the months of October 2008 and February 2009 from exotic goats.
Parasite type | Nematodes | Cestodes | Trematodes | |||||||||||||||
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Name of abattoir | Numbers examined | Numbers infected |
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Gastrotylax |
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October | 14 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
November | 16 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
December | 16 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
January | 17 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
February | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Total (%) | 78 | 55 (70.5) | 11 (17.1) | 5 (6.4) | 3 (3.8) | 3 (3.8) | 3 (3.8) | 3 (3.8) | 2 (2.5) | 2 (2.5) | 2 (2.5) | 8 (10.2) | 0 | 4 (5.1) | 0 | 3 (3.8) | 5 (6.4) | 1 (1.2) |
A total of 60 indigenous goats were examined in four communities during the period of study. Forty-nine (49) were infected with various species gastrointestinal helminthes as follows (see Table
Species of helminths obtained from indigenous goats.
Parasite type | Nematodes | Cestodes | Trematodes | |||||||||||||||
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Name of abattoir | Numbers examined | Numbers infected |
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Gastrotylax |
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Eliozu | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Ogbogoro | 15 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Aluu | 15 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rumuokoro | 15 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Total (%) | 60 | 49 (81.6) | 11 (18.3) | 8 (13.3) | 4 (6.6) | 0 | 3 (5) | 3 (5) | 4 (6.6) | 5 (8.3) | 2 (3.3) | 2 (3.3) | 0 | 4 (6.6) | 2 (3.3) | 1 (1.6) | 0 | 1 (1.6) |
The result of the study clearly indicates a high prevalence rate of gastrointestinal helminthes in cattle slaughtered in four selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt, namely, Eliozu, Ogbogoro, Rumuokoro, and Aluu abattoirs and various homes of indigenous people within the area.
The study revealed that 73.2% of the sampled exotic goats and 81.6% of indigenous goats were infected with various species of helminthes parasites. The goat slaughtered between May and September, 2009 had a prevalence rate of 76.0%, October 2009 and February, 2010 had a prevalence rate of 70.5%, while indigenous goat had 81.6% prevalence rate (see Tables
The helminthes community isolated consisted of sixteen parasitic species, eight (8) nematodes (
In conclusion, various gastrointestinal parasites have been found in cattle in the study area. Hence, the high prevalence rate of helminthiasis in livestock needs to be checked periodically. Regular control measures should be practiced and farmers educated in the proper use of antihelminthiasis. Epidemiological facts suggest that high standard of sanitation in modern animal husbandry will prevent exposure of livestock to graze in deteriorated and environmentally polluted range lands will be effective in controlling disease.
The following recommendations will help in the prevention or reduction of helminth infections in the study area. There should be legislative control over slaughtering of goats and their distribution; the abbatoir workers should be properly trained on meat handling and zoonotic infections. Animals should be restricted to special areas of land provided by the government for grazing. The public should be enlightened on proper cooking of animal parts especially the intestine. A comprehensive approach should be adopted to ensure all inclusive meat inspection in the abattoirs before distribution to the public for consumption.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.