Abstract:
An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at
Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South
Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative
and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested.
Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving
an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with
four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both
representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and
only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of
helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at
P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5%
(OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly
high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms
90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from
Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%),
followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara
vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%);
Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus
spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden
of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper
management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be
institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock.
