Epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites in buffalo calves of Punjab state

Faecal samples from 1582 buffalo calves of upto 6 months of age from 13 different districts of Punjab were collected for a period of one year (May 2008 to April 2009) and examined for gastrointestinal (G I) parasites. The correlation of age and sex of the host and also seasonal variation in the prevalence of GI nematodes, cestodes and coccidia were determined. The results revealed prevalence of GI parasitic infections as 73.58% and Eimeriaspp. (54.55%) was the most prevalent G I parasite of calves followed by Strongyloides papillosus (28.45%), strongyles (23.7%), Toxocara vitulorum (8.47%) and Moniezia expansa (4.05%). The prevalence of T. vitulorum and S. papillosus showed negative correlation with age of the animals however, the overall prevalence of parasitic infections, strongyles and Eimeria spp. infection showed a positive correlation with age. Also, the prevalence of T. vitulorum, strongyles, S. papillosus and Eimeria spp. showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) in three seasons. Sex of the host had no significant effect on the prevalence of G I parasites.