Prevalence and risk factors of <i>Dicrocoelium dendriticum</i> and <i>Eurytrema pancreaticum</i> infections in slaughtered-cattles in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

Dicrocoeliumden driticum and Eurytrema pancreaticum are respectively the aetiologies of dicrocoelosis and eurytremiasis which are diseases of veterinary and medical importance causing significant economic losses worldwide. This study determines the prevalence and risk factors of these infections using simple sedimentation technique and structured close ended questionnaires. The study reveals an overall prevalence of 89.9% of the 208 samples analysed which was significantly higher (p<0.05, OR = 0.3886, 95% CI = 0.1516-0.974) in males (92.9%) than females (83.6%). Prevalence of D. dendriticum, E. pancreaticum and mixed infections and those in relation to management practices vary significantly (p<0.05) and ranged between 9.6 and 93.9%. Prevalence in cattle with good, moderate and poor body condition and those in relation to sources of slaughtered-cattle rang between 60.0 and 100.0% across body conditions and the 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) where slaughtered-cattle originated. Of the risk factors analysed for D. dendriticum and E. pancreaticum infections, grazing around swampy areas (p=0.0295, OR = 2.089, 95% CI = 1.065-4.095), presence of snails in grazing sites (p<0.0001, OR = 4.386, 95% CI = 2.373-8.101), use of streams for watering animals (p=0.0024, OR = 2.660, 95% CI = 1.391-5.088), extensive management (p=0.0090, OR = 2.369, 95% CI = 1.224- 4.579) and lack of strategic de-worming (p<0.0001, OR = 5.937, 95% CI = 3.248-10.85) all show significant association with the prevalence of these parasitic infections.

Keywords: prevalence, risk factors, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Eurytremapan creaticum, abattoir, slaughtered-cattle