Abstract

*MD. Murshed Hasan Mustafa, Md. Rafiul Islam and Md. Alamgir Hossain

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate the Epidemiology of Paramphistomum infection in cattle. A total of 330 fecal samples from 113 bulls and 217 cows were collected from different areas of Kotalipara upazila from March 2021 to February, 2022. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of the cattle or immediately after defecation or from the ground when the animals were found in the act of defecation. About 15-25 grams of feces were collected from the animals. Each fecal sample were transferred to a jar containing 10% formalin and labeled properly as per age, sex and breed of the animals. The samples were examined under microscope on the day of collection at BAPARD Laboratory. Out of 330 samples examined, 175 (53.03%) were found infected with Paramphistomum spp. During the study period examined animals were categorized into three age groups viz 104,100 and 126 cattle for Growing animals (6 months- 2 years); Young animals (> 2- 5 years); older animals (> 5 years), respectively. Older animals suffered (59.52%) more than growing (44.23%) and young (54.0%) ones. Older animals were 1.35 times more susceptible than growing animals. Furthermore, females were more (58.06%; 1.34 times) susceptible to Paramphistamum spp. than males (43.36%). The prevalence of Paramphistomiasis was higher in crossbred (61.9%) animals than that of local (48.89%) cattle. The crossbreed cattle were 1.27 times more susceptible than indigenous cattle. The prevalence of Paramphistomiasis in cattle varied depending on the season of the year; being highest in the rainy season (60.91%) followed by the summer (50%) and lowest during the winter (48.18%). A high percentage of paramphistomiasis was recorded in the cattle, grazed on pasture land (63.08%) than of stall feeding (46.5%). The study indicate high percentage of infection found during the winter irrespective of age and genetics of animals and seasons of the year.