Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in Central Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

From February to December 1997, six head of N’Dama cattle originating from the Central zone of humid savanna in Côte d’Ivoire were examined postmortem monthly. Fourteen species/genera of parasites were identified: 8 nematodes, 2 trematodes, 1 cestode and 3 protozoa. All animals were infected with at least one of the following gastrointestinal nematodes: Haemonchus sp. (95%), Cooperia punctata (50%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (35.5%), Trichostrongylus axei (30%), Cooperia pectinata (8.1%) and Trichuris sp. (1.6%). Setaria labiatopapillosa was found in 30.6% of the animals examined, microfilaria in 24.1%, paramphistomes in 80.6% and Moniezia sp. in 15%. Trypanosomes and Babesia spp. were found in 11.2 and 3.6% of the animals, respectively. The egg counts and worm burden of gastrointestinal nematodes varied with peaks in May and September/October, i.e. during the rainy seasons. Young animals 1-3 years of age had higher worm burdens than animals over 3 years old (P < 0.05). No larval hypobiosis was detected. In spite of a favorable humid climate, the worm burden of this N’Dama cattle originating from an extensive husbandry system was relatively low. Anthelmintic treatments appear necessary in younger animals only.