Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ouba Debre-Tsehay District, Gamogoffa Zone, Southern Ethiopia from October 2013 to July 2014 with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis and to assess the possible risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 384 randomly selected cattle from purposefully selected peasant associations with consideration of different age groups and both sexes. Buffy coat method was employed for parasitological survey and packed cell volume (PCV) determination was done. From the examined animals, 58 (15.1%; 95% CI: 11.7-19.6) were positive for trypanosome infection. In the area, Trypanosome congolense and Trypanosome vivax were the two identified Trypanosoma species with proportion of 60.3 and 27.6% , respectively and 12.1% mixed infection. Trypanosomiasis was observed as 13.8% in males and 15.9% in females out of these, 4.9 (95% CI: 1.0-13.7), 11 (95% CI: 5.8-18.4) and 20.1% (95% CI: 14.9-26.1) were found in animals <1year, between 1 and 3 years and above 3 years of age, respectively. Significant difference was observed between <1 year and >3 years of age (p<0.05). Based on body condition category, 8 (95% CI: 4.7-13.8), 16 (95%CI: 10.2-23.5) and 26.1% (95%CI: 17.3-36.6) were good, medium and poor conditioned animals, respectively and there was a significant association between good and poor condition animals (p<0.05). The recorded overall mean PCV in parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals was 20.4 and 25.6%, respectively; it significantly varied (t=12.28, p = 0.00). Out of the parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals, 77.6 and 16.6% were anemic, respectively (with PCV < 24%).

Key words: Cattle, Ouba Debre-Tsehay, prevalence, Trypanosoma, trypanosomosis.