Prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites of working camels in Sokoto metropolis

Aim: An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal parasites of working camels in Sokoto metropolis was conducted between March and September, 2013, where the general prevalence and seasonal distribution were identified. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 faecal samples from working camels were examined using standard parasitological techniques (Centrifugal sedimentation and simple flotation). Microscopic examination of faecal samples revealed that some samples were positive for at least one or more parasite eggs/oocysts. Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 78 (78.0%) and seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 35 (70.0%) for the dry season and 43 (86.0%) for the rainy season. Overall, the prevalence of nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and protozoa were 87 (80.56%), 7 (6.48%), 4 (3.71%) and 10 (9.26%), respectively. The prevalence of helminths parasites indicated as most dominant eggs of Strongyles 68 (62.96%) followed by Strongyloides spp 10 (9.26%), and Trichuris spp 8 (7.41%), while Protozoan oocyst from the faecal samples recorded Coccidia spp 9 (8.33%). The prevalence by sex, age, and breed were also determined in the study animals. Conclusion: The presence of polyparasitism with high prevalence is an indication that favorable environmental conditions for infection, survival and perpetuation of the parasites exist in Sokoto metropolis.


Introduction
Maiduguri where camels are slaughtered for human consumption, the meat was ranked second to that of Camel is an animal well known in the history of cattle in these areas.The need for an extensive study on human civilization.It is an even-toed ungulate, but gastrointestinal parasitism in camels is desirable differs from others of their order in having soft-padded considering the economic importance of its feet [1].They are generally referred to as ruminants or contribution to meat production in the study area [7].pseudo-ruminants because of their ruminating habit.
Among domestic animals, camel is known to Camel is a both Saharan and sub-Saharan animal.It is tolerate a lot of parasitic infections of economic also important to the people of Sahel Savanna for many importance [8,9].It is also known to be infected with economic and agricultural purposes [2].Until the various helminths parasites which can cause diarrhoea advent of motorized transport and the development of and other clinical signs [10], and in severe cases, these certain nomadic economies, the camel remained internal parasites are generally known to contribute to a almost the only beast of burden and means of transport great loss of production [11,12].Some of these in the areas to which it is adapted [3,4].
helminths parasites also have zoonotic implication to The teaming increase in human population, those who work closely with the camels [13, 14].coupled with poor economic potentials of some Epidemiological studies of gastrointestinal countries have transformed the traditional uses of parasites of camels in the tropics have been few and camel to serve as milk and meat sources [2, 5].In East conclusions are based largely on the prevalence and the Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia), camel is distribution from camel slaughter units [7,15].bred for meat [2].In the northern part of Nigeria, where Hence, this study is designed to determine the camels are found, they are used mainly as traction prevalence and seasonal distribution of gastrointestinal animals, in addition to meat production, even though parasite of working camels from camel herds, so that cattle are the most predominant [6].In Sokoto and effective control measures could be well suggested.(1.85%) Diphylobothrium spp 1 (0.93%), Toxocara spp 1 (0.93%) and Dicrocoelium spp (Table -5).

Ministry of Animal
Protozoan oocyst from the faecal samples recorded Coccidia spp 9 (8.33%) followed by Balantidium spp 1 (0.93%).Photomicrographs of the helminths eggs isolated in the study area are presented in   Nigeria [8], 87.3% prevalence in Sokoto, Nigeria [17] the effort of the laboratory technicians of the Veterinary and 75.1% prevalence in Khorasan Razavi Province, Parasitology and Entomology, Usmanu Danfodiyo Iran [4], where abattoir surveys were conducted to University, Sokoto Nigeria, for their participation in determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites the laboratory analysis of the samples. of camels at slaughter.In each case, Strongyle spp eggs

FigureDiscussion
Our study revealed an overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites 78.0%.Musadiq et al [21] observed 84.80% prevalence in a study conducted on working camels in Cholistan Desert of Pakistan.Alvi et al [22] observed 28.36% prevalence in camel population of the Desert Thal and Azhar et al [23] observed 37.33% prevalence in camel population of Lahore/Faisalabad [23].The findings of 78.5% prevalence in Kano,

Table - 1
. Overall and seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of camels at different seasons of the year.Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of camels by age groups in Sokoto metropolis.Table-3.Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of camels by sex in Sokoto metropolis.
Figure-3.Photomicrograph of Strongyle eggs isolated from faecal sample of camel during the dry season in Sokoto metropolis (X10)

Table - 4
. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of camels by breeds in Sokoto metropolis.
N = number of appearance of worm eggs and protozoan oocysts