Acta Parasitologica Globalis 6 (1): 14-19, 2015
ISSN 2079-2018
© IDOSI Publications, 2015
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.apg.2015.6.1.9159
Prevalence of Strongyle Infection in Horses and Donkeys in
and Around Dangila Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Haimanot Disassa, Addise Alebachew, Tilahun Zenebe and Girma Kebede
College of Medical Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine,
Wollega University, P. O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia
Abstract: Strongyle infection is the most common and economically devastating disease of equine in Ethiopia.
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of strongyle infection and associated risk factors in horses
and donkeys in and around Dangila town in Amhara Region. A cross-sectional study was conducted from
November 2013 to April 2014 to determine the prevalence of strongyles infection in horses and donkeys in the
study area. A total of 384 horses and donkeys were examined for strongyle parasites. Fresh fecal samples were
obtained from 384 randomly selected horses (n=24) and donkeys (n=360). Coprological examination for the
detection of strongyle eggs was performed using simple test tube floatation technique. Results revealed that
the overall prevalence of strongyle infection in both species of animals was found to be 5.73%. In each species
it was found to be 4.92%and 5.83% in horses and donkeys respectively. The infection rates of strongyles were
4.92% and 10.17% in adult and young animals, respectively, while in male and female animals the rates were
6.12% and 5.32%, respectively. However, there was no statistical significant difference in prevalence of
strongyle infection between age, sex and among body condition (P > 0.05). In conclusion, even though
strongyle infection seems endemic in horses and donkeys in the study area, the present report is very low. This
may be due to be the fact that the deworming program by Bahirdar donkey sunchery at the beginning and end
of rainy season, in collaboration with veterinary clinics worked well and effectively in managing the infection.
Key words: Dangila Town
Donkeys
Horses
Prevalence
INTRODUCTION
prevent easy delivery of merchandise [3]. Equines as a
means of transport for men and materials provide live
hood to a number of rural and semi urban population of
the world. They have a prominent position in agricultural
systems of many developing countries. It is suggested
that donkey can play a great role in the frame works of
food security and social equity of high food in secure
countries. In areas away from roads, many people use
mules and donkeys to transport food and other supplies
to villages [4, 5].
Ethiopia is one of the developing countries in Africa,
which is predominantly an agricultural country with over
85% of its population engaged in agricultural activity
[6, 7]. The country has the highest equine population
probably with the highest density per square kilometer in
the world and Alemayehu [8] and it has a total of 6.9%
and 42.4% in the world and Africa equine population
The equine population of the world is estimated to be
122.4 (40 million donkeys, 15 million mules’ 43.3 million
horses and 24.1million zebras and camel) [1]. In the
distribution pattern, 98% of all donkeys, 97% of all mules
and 60% of all horses are found in the developing
countries. The number of equines in Africa is in the range
of 17.6 million comprising 11.6 million donkeys, 2.3 million
mules and 3.7 million horses [2]. Equids (donkeys, mules
and horses) play an important role as working animals in
many parts of the world, employed for packing, riding,
carting and ploughing. Equine power is vital for both rural
and urban transport system which is cheap and provides
the best alternatives in places where the road network is
insufficiently developed, the terrain is rugged and
mountainous and in the cities where narrow streets
Corresponding Author:
Strongyles
Haimanot Disassa, College of Medical Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine,
Wollega University, P. O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia
Cell: +251-921-81-60-20, Fax: +251-576-617-980, E-mail: [email protected].
14
Acta Parasitologica Globalis 6 (1): 14-19, 2015
respectively [9]. Ethiopia possess about 5.02 million
donkeys, 2.75 million horses and 0.63 million mules [6],
equine play an important role in the transportation of
products, fodder, fuel, wood, agricultural in puts and
construction and waits materials equine power is both a
rural and urban transport system which is cheap and
viable if provides the best alternative in palace where
good network is insufficiently developed, other terrains
eagged and mountains and cites where narrow streets
prevent easy delivery of Merchandise [10].
Equine endoparasites may be divided into three
categories: nematodes, or roundworms; cestodes, or
tapeworms; trematodes, or flukes. Parasites are assigned
to these categories according to their morphology, or
structure. Growth and life cycles of parasites within each
group are generally distinct from those of the other
groups. The roundworms are by far the most economically
important internal parasites of equines. Internal parasites
continue to be a significant threat to the health of
equines. Even under proper management equines will
become infested with internal parasites. Internal parasites
of equines are of veterinary importance in many countries,
where current methods of control rely almost entirely on
the use of antihlementics [11].
Infections caused by strongyles constitute a severe
impediment to successful equine management due to
debility and death of animals, particularly when heavy
burdens are involved. Even light infections can affect the
development and the performance of equines. The
damage caused by large strongyles (Subfamily:
Strongylinae) is well known. The adult worms produce
lesions in the gut wall as they feed and larvae make
destructive migrations in various tissues of the animal
body. Strongylus vulgaris (S.vulgaris) stands out as
being particularly dangerous because the larvae develop
in the mesenteric arterial system causing arthritis and
thrombosis with serious consequences [12]. Patterns of
transmission vary greatly with climate and management,
therefore no worming program is universally applied [13].
Strongylosis is the most common and economically
devastating disease of equine. Clinically infected equine
exhibit signs of unthriftiness, anemia, colic and diarrhea
[14]. The national census by the Central Statistical agency
of Ethiopia yields that Dangila town has total population
of 158, 688 (80, 235 men and 78, 453 women). Dangila town
is populated of 27, 001(13, 387 men and 13, 614 female).
Livestock disease; tryponosomosis (cattle), fasciolosis
(cattle), anthrax (cattle), lump skin disease, pasteurellosis,
black leg, internal and external parasites, Contagious
bovine pleuropneumonia and African horse sickness.
In Dangila town at least one person that has one
donkey or horse to transport the crop from different rural
area to the market, however health management is poor
compared from other livestock [15]. Therefore, this study
was aimed to estimate the prevalence of strongyle
infection and determine the associated risk factors in
horses and donkeys in and around Dangila town in
Amhara Region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Setting: The study was conducted in and around
Dangila town from November, 2013 through April, 2014 in
Amhara region. Dangila town is under the administration
of Awi zone in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Geographically;
it is located on elevation of 2200m a.s.l. and it is 485Km
from the capital city, Addis Ababa and 95 km from
Bihardar. It covers 526 km2 between latitude with annual
average rainfall and temperature amount being 1576 mm
and 17c°, respectively [16]. The topography of this area is
plane with some hills. This region has fertile red soil with
high potential for production. The rainy season lasts from
May to October which is relatively long. Around the rural
part of Dangila town, with heavy accent on crops
production (such as maize, teff, milet, nug seed and other
cash crops), the farmers practice mixed farming with
livestock production (such as goat, cow’s milk, chicken
and egg sales) of 11° 20? North and at the longitude of
37° 0 east [17].
Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was used
to estimate the prevalence of strongyle infection in horses
and donkeys in the study area. All horses and donkeys
presented to the clinic with suggestive of clinical
manifestation of strongyle infection were considered.
Study Animals: All horses and donkeys regardless of sex,
age and breed found in and around Dangila town that
were presented to Dangila Veterinary clinic and showing
clinical signs of unthriftiness, anemia, colic and diarrhea
were the study animals.
Sample Size Determination: The sample size was
determined using the formula given by Thrusfield [18]
with a 50% expected prevalence, a 5% desired absolute
precision and 95% confidence interval were used hence,
according to the formula given below and the total sample
size was estimated as 384.
15
Acta Parasitologica Globalis 6 (1): 14-19, 2015
n=
Table 1: General characteristics of study participants
(1.962 [Pexpe (1-Pexpe)])
d2
Characteristics
Frequency
Percent
Sex
Where:
n= required sample size
Pexpe= expected prevalence of nematode parasites
d= desired absolute precision
1.96= the value of “Z” at 95% level of confidence
Female
188
48.96
Male
196
51.04
Species
Donkey
360
93.75
Horse
24
6.25
Young
59
15.36
Adult
325
84.64
Age
Data Quality Control: Fecal samples were collected
aseptically and coprological examination was conducted.
For quality control each slide was examined twice. The
second round confirmatory microscopic examination were
done by experienced laboratory technologists who were
working at Dangila clinical laboratory.
Body condition
Good
24
6.25
Medium
23
5.99
Poor
337
87.76
Result
Materials and Chemicals: The materials and chemicals
used in this study include: two beakers, microscope, slide,
cover slip, disposal glove, pippet, pistle and mortal,
bottles, chemicals (formalin10%) and tea strainer. The
flotation solution used in this study was salt solution.
Positive
22
5.73
Negative
362
94.27
Table 2: Prevalence of Strongyle infection according to species, age and sex
and body condition of animals
Number of
Risk factor
Method of Data Collection: Fecal samples were collected
directly from the rectum of 384 suspected animals
(donkeys and horses) presented to Dangila veterinary
clinic from Dangila town and the surrounding using
disposable glove and put in air and water tight sample
vials. The collected samples were properly labeled with
the necessary information and soon transported to
Dangila clinical Laboratory. Samples were processed and
examined on the day of collection and samples not
processed on collection day were preserved in formalin
for the next day to be processed. The samples were
processed by simple test tube floatation technique and
diagnosis was based on the observation of strongyle
eggs in microscopic examination of fecal samples using
10x and sometimes 40x magnification power [18].
Number of
Prevalence
examined animals positive animals in%
P-value
Donkey
360
21
5.83%
0.735
Horse
24
1
4.17%
Adult
325
16
4.92%
Young
59
6
10.17%
Species
Age
0.119
Sex
Male
196
12
6.12%
Female
188
10
5.32%
0.735
Body condition
Good
24
2
8.33%
Medium
23
1
4.35%
Poor
337
19
5.64%
0.583
parasites. The overall prevalence of strongyle infection
for both species in the present study was 5.73% as
indicated in table 1. The infection rate with strongyles in
Dangila town was 4.17 % in horses and 5.83% in donkeys.
The infection rates of strongyles were 4.92% and 10.17%
in adult and young animals, respectively, while in male
and female animals the rates were 6.12% and 5.32%,
respectively. The body condition of both species was
also classified as poor, medium and good body condition
scores respectively. The prevalence according to body
condition grade was found to be 5.64%, 4.35% and 8.33%
in poor, medium and good body condition in both
respectively. However, in terms of age and sex, species,
body condition no significant differences were found
between infected animals (P > 0.05) as indicated in table 2.
Data Analysis: After collection of all the necessary data,
it was coded on pre arranged coding sheet. Data was
entered into excel 2007 and analyzed through STATA
version 11 soft ware. Tables were used to present results
of pertinent findings. Association of host risk factors with
strongyle parasite positives was calculated. A statistically
significant association between variables is considered to
exist if the computed p-value is less than 0.05.
RESULTS
Out of 384 both species (24 horses and 360 donkeys)
examined 22 were found to be infected with strogyle
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Acta Parasitologica Globalis 6 (1): 14-19, 2015
DISCUSSION
The current prevalence of 10.17% and 4.92 in young
and adult animals respectively is lower than that of
Alemayehu [35] who reported prevalence of 80% and
51.4% in young and adult in and around Arsi and bale
region respectively. The current study also revealed that
the prevalence was 5.64%, 4.35% and 8.33% in poor,
medium and good body condition horses respectively.
Lower infections of strongyles in the current study
may correspond with the biology and epidemiology of
these parasites as they require longer period to complete
the life cycle and slow or partial development of immunity.
Studies over the years have indicated a significant change
in worm population and their burden under different
anthelmintic pressures over the years as it was
reported by Dunsmore and Jue Sue, [13], Herd [36] and
Chapman et al. [11].
Generally, even though strongyle infection seems
endemic in horses and donkeys in and around Dangila
town, the prevalence report of this study is very low.
This may due to be the fact that the deworming program
by Bahirdar donkey sunchery at the beginning and end of
rainy season in the study area.
In the current study the overall prevalence of
strongyle infection in the study area was found to be
5.73%. This result clearly demonstrates that strongyle
infections are with very low prevalence in the area. This
report is less than the reports of Getachew et al. [8, 20]
from east shewa and Adaa, Akaki and Bost of East
Shewa that revealed 100% and 99% prevalence
respectively and the reports of Feseha et al. [21] with a
prevalence of 100 % in mules and 100% in donkeys. This
may be due to the presence of different geographical and
climatic conditions between the study area and
availability of antihelementics.
It was indicated that, the prevalence of strongyle
infection was 93% in Bereh, 87% in Boset and 95% in
Adaa as reported by Ayele and Dink [22]. The prevalence
of the current study was also lower as compared
with the results of Yoseph et al. [23], Mulate [24] and
Ayele et al.[25] and Fikru et al. [26] in which they
reported 100%, 100%, 100% and 98.2% in donkeys of
Wonchi, highland of Wollo province, Dugda Bora and
western high land of Oromia, respectively. According to
the study of Samuel and Berihun [27] the overall
prevalence of strongyle infection in horses was 32.6% in
and around Wollo Combolcha. Upjohn et al. [28] and
Slivinska et al. [29] also added 88.2 and 100% strongyle
parasite prevalences in equines from Lesotho and Ukraine
respectively. According to the study of Basaznew et al.
[30], the prevalence of strongyles in mules was 85% and
in donkeys was 82.7% in and around Bahirdar. In our
study, strongyle infection is slightly higher in donkeys
than in horses, but no statistical significant difference was
observed within two species.
Data on age related prevalence also indicated no
significant difference (P>0.05) among various age groups.
Similarly no effect of age for the strongyle infection could
be detected in other studies [31]. Strongyle-type eggs
were reported with a prevalence of 58.50% according to
the report of Chitra et al. [32], this finding was also higher
than the current study. Even though helminth infections
are most common and significant health concern due to
morbidity and mortality, lower infection rates have been
recorded in other studies where regular deworming
practices with effective drugs are routinely undertaken as
indicated by Capewll et al. [33]. Many studies have
reported wide spread occurrence of helminthes species in
horse population across the world and grown under
varied management and climatic conditions as it was
stated by Chapman et al. [11] and Boxell et al. [34].
CONCLUSION
The present study revealed that strongyle infection
is less prevalent in the study area. However, this
prevalence is enough to cause enormous economic loss
through poor weight gain, reduce working ability. The
occurrence of stronyle infection was observed in different
sex and age of horses and donkeys in this study. In
conclusion, even though strongyle infection seems
endemic in horses and donkeys in and around Dangila
town, the prevalence report of this study is very low.
This may be due to the deworming program by Bahirdar
donkey sunchery at the beginning and end of rainy
season in the study area. Therefore, strategic and regular
anthelmintic treatment of equine population should be
continued and further study should be conducted using
well equipped laboratory techniques to document the true
prevalence of the study area.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are very much grateful to the inhabitants of all
staff members of Wollega University, School of Veterinary
Medicine and Dangila town veterinary clinic workers, for
their co-operation in different aspects of the study
without them the study wouldn’t be possible. We thank
Wollega University School of Veterinary Medicine, for
partial funding of the project.
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Acta Parasitologica Globalis 6 (1): 14-19, 2015
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