Prevalence of Paramphistomosis in Domestic Ruminants in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India

A total of 1169 dung samples from domestic ruminants were examined to record the prevalence of paramphistomosis infection. In cattle, the prevalence of infection by direct smear (DS) and sedimentation method (SD) was 17.43% and 31.19%, respectively. In sheep, the prevalence rates were recorded higher than cattle (26.09% and 33.18%). In goats, the prevalence of paramphistomosis was 20.66% and 30.52%. Out of 109 cattle carcasses, 47 were found with flukes in rumen, reticulum and bile duct during slaughterhouse examination (SH). In sheep and goat, the prevalence rates were 42.15% and 40.85%, respectively by SH. Age-wise the highest prevalence was recorded in cattle of 2–4 years (50.0%) by SH. In goats, the prevalence of infection was lower in the age group of <1 year, when compared to their counterparts in sheep. In contrast, the higher prevalence was noticed in >1–2 years old goats (63.27%) than sheep of the same age group (36.85%). Sex-wise, statistically no significant difference was observed between male and female animals. Morphologically identified, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Paramphistomum cervi, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Fischoederius elongatus and Gigantocotyle spp. In conclusion, an overall prevalence of 24.29%, 32.51% and 42.0% of paramphistomosis infection was recorded in cattle, sheep and goats by DS, SD and SH examinations, respectively.