Concurrent infection and seasonal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in cross-bred cattle of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh.

Aim: To determine the extent of concurrent infection and seasonal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in cross-bred cattle of Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples from 4248 cross-bred cattle presented to the diagnostic centre of Milk Vita, Baghabari, Sirajganj with complains of digestive disturbances over the period from November, 2008 to October, 2009 were examined grossly with naked eye followed by microscopic examination with direct smear method, Will's floatation and sedimentation techniques. Results: Out of 4248 faecal samples examined, 3268 (76.93%) samples harboured one or more parasitic ova or cyst and the rest 980 (23.07%) samples found free of parasitic ova or cyst. Among the positive cases, single infection of fascioliasis (29.0.5%), paramphistomiasis (8.3%), toxocariasis (11.32%), haemonchosis (2.47%), monieziasis (0.7%), balantidiasis (4.19%), trichuriasis (1.1%), trichostrongylosis (1.4%) and strongyloidosis (1.6%) were diagnosed. Mixed infection with at least two (dual infection) and/ or any three of above mentioned parasitic species (triple infection) were also recorded. Cattle harbouring eggs of one parasite were more common [60.03% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 58.53, 61.51)] than those harbouring eggs of two [15.44% (95% CI, 14.36, 16.56)] or three [1.46% (95% CI, 1.12, 1.87)] parasites concurrently. Significantly (p 0.05). A non-significant (p>0.005) decreasing trend of occurrence from winter through summer and rainy season was also observed in case of trichostrongylosis. Conclusion: The result of current study clearly indicate that helminth infections are highly prevalent in cross-bred cattle of the study area. The findings on abundance and distribution of gastrointestinal parasitism in different age groups of cattle, the polyparasitism nature of the disease and the seasonal variation of occurrence obtained from present study will therefore assist the clinicians for forecasting of parasitism and make awareness among the farmers to take appropriate control measures against them.