Epidemiological investigation of helminth infection of cattle from different districts of Mizoram, India

A study on incidence of helminth parasites of cattle was carried out from eight different districts of Mizoram, India from June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 1153 faecal samples from different age groups of cattle were examined microscopically using salt flotation and sedimentation method. Some positive samples were copro-cultured for proper identification of Strongyle larvae. The overall prevalence of gastro intestinal (GI) helminths was 33.39% (385/1153). The identified species revealed nematodes, cestodes and trematodes with a total of 11 species. The percentage prevalence of various helminthes in descending order include Haemonchus sp (20.25%), Toxocaravitulovum (15.84%), Moniezia sp (13.76%), Strongyloidespapillosus (10.38%), Trichuris sp (8.57%), Oesophagastomum sp (6.75%), Trichostrongylussp (6.75%), Nematodirus sp (5.97%), Fasciolagigantica (5.19%), Paramphistomumsp (3.89%) and Eurytrema sp (2.59%). A total of 225 cattle slaughtered at local abattoirs were also inspected for the presence of any helminth and helminth induced lesions. At post-mortem examination, mixed infection with trematodes of Fasciolagigantica, Paramphistomum sp and nematodes of Haemonchus sp, Oesophagostomum sp and Nematodirus sp were observed. A significant seasonal difference was observed with higher prevalence during monsoon compared to other seasons. Similarly prevalence varied according to age and sex of the animals. Male and young calves were more commonly infected with GI parasites than female and older cattle. The epidemiological data obtained in the present study warranted proper examination of cattle for proper controlling of parasites.