M. N. Islam
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
N. Begum
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
M. Z. Alam
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
M. A. A. Mamun
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
Epidemiology, Intestinal schistosomiasis, Ruminants, Bangladesh
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.
Pest Management
Study period and area The investigation was carried out over a period of one year from May 2009 to April 2010. Three main seasons can be distinguished in Bangladesh, namely, the cool-dry winter from November to February, the hot-dry summer from March to May and the hot - wet rainy season from June to October (Ahmed et al., 1989). So, the experimental period was divided into these three seasons. Samples were collected from four districts of Bangladesh, namely, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Kurigram for the convenience of the study and availability of cattle and goats. The coprological examination was conducted in the Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.
Selection of cattle and goats In total 240 cattle and 146 goats were selected randomly. The age of the animals was between 3 months and 14 years. During the collection of samples the age, sex, breed, rearing system of the animals and season of the year were recorded. The age of the animals was determined from the record book where available, or by interrogating the farmers, or by examining the teeth. All animals were categorized into three age groups, such as, calf (≤1.5 years), young (>1.5-≤4years) and adult (> 4 years) in cattle and kid (≤1year), young (>1-≤2.0years) and adult (> 2.0 years) in goat. All examined animals belonged to local and crosses of indigenous with Friesian or Saihiwal in cattle. Only one breed of goats (Black Bengal) was included in this study.
Collection and examination of fecal sample The cattle and goats were selected randomly irrespective of age, sex, breed, system of rearing and level of husbandry from the cattle and goat reared in areas as mentioned above. After taking all the relevant information, the faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum. Before collection, the animals were restrained properly and possible hygienic measures including wearing of apron, hand gloves and gumboot were taken to avoid contamination. About 20-25 grams of feces were collected from each animal. Each sample was kept in a separate polythene bag, tied carefully and numbered and the samples were preserved in 10% formalin. The polythene bags containing the fecal samples with all required information were brought to the laboratory and examined. The fecal samples were examined by Modified Stoll’s Dilution Technique as described by Soulsby (1982). The eggs of schistosomes were identified according to the keys and description by Soulsby (1982) and Rahman et al. (1996).
Statistical analyses Chi-square (χ2 ) test for several prevalences at 1% or 5% level of significance (Mostafa,1989) and pair-wise significant of several factors (sex, breed and rearing system) one-sided Z test was done (Ahmed et al., 2007).
J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 9(2): 221–228, 2011 ISSN 1810-3030
Journal