Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths and Assessment of Associated Risk Factors in Dairy Cows from Punjab Districts, India

Abstract

A total of 1133 faecal samples were collected from dairy cows of various districts representing different agro-climatic zones of Punjab and examined for gastrointestinal helminths. Coprological examination revealed an overall prevalence of 41.22% with mean egg per gram of faeces ranging from 160.47 ± 12.94 to 202.33 ± 11.93. The parasites reported with their respective prevalences (%) were strongyles (31.60%), amphistomes (13.42%), Moniezia spp. (4.41%), Fasciola spp. (3.80%), Trichuris spp. (1.85%), Strongyloides spp. (1.59%) and Capillaria spp. (0.44%). Results of multivariate analysis showed prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths to be significantly associated with risk factors as districts, agro-climatic zones and seasons. Maximum prevalence was recorded in monsoon (43.75%) and lowest in winters (39.56%). The highest infection rate was reported from sub-mountain zone (47.82%) and Ludhiana district (52.68%). Coproculture analysis revealed the presence of larvae of Oesophagostomum, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Chabertia, Bunostomum, Strongyloides and Nematodirus in decreasing order.