Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of fasciolosis and paramphistomosis in Hirna town, assess the associated risk factors and evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of fecal sedimentation technique for both flukes. On coproscopy, out of the total of 387 cattle examined, 24 (6.2%) and 21(5.43%) cattle were positive for Fasciola and Paramphistomum, respectively. Postmortem examination of hepatobilary organs and fore-stomachs of the slaughtered cattle (n=387) revealed adults of Fasciola gigantic (8.53%, n= 33) and Paramphistomum spp. (5.43%, n=21), respectively. There was statistically significant difference in prevalence of both Fasciola and Paramphistomum between medium and good body conditions. Cattle with medium body condition were more frequently affected by Fasciola (OR=13.64, 11.3%) and Paramphistomum (OR=8.26, 7.06%) than cattle with good body condition. Considering necropsy examination as gold standard, the sensitivity of fecal sedimentation technique compared and found to be 72.7% (kappa = 0.83) and 100% (kappa=1) in agreement for fasciolosis and paramphistomosis, respectively. Though the existing prevalence of fasciolosis and paramphistomosis is low, the presence of flukes pose enormous economic loss through liver condemnation, poor weight gain and productivity, treatment cost, predisposition to infectious diseases and death in severely affected young animals. Therefore, strategic deworming and further investigation on the ecology of the intermediate hosts and socioeconomic impact of the problem deemed necessary.

Key words: Fasciola, paramphistomum, cattle, coproscopy, necropsy, Hirna, Ethiopia.