Prevalence of Balantidium coli infection in dairy animals of different agro-climatic zones of Punjab

A total of 2089 faecal samples of dairy animals (956 buffaloes and 1133 cattle) were collected from 21 districts of different agro-climatic zones of Punjab during April, 2013 to May, 2014 and examined for presence of Balantidium coli. Coprological examination of samples revealed 169 samples to be positive for B. coli with an overall prevalence of 8.09%. Infection was marginally higher in buffaloes (8.99%) as compared to cattle (7.33%). The mean cyst per gram of faeces of B. coli was 365.22±33.08 and 257.89±24.55 in buffaloes and cattle, respectively. Highest prevalence of B. coli in buffaloes was recorded in rainy season (9.70%), followed by summer (9.06%) and winter (8.36%) and the trend was also similar in cattle with highest infection in rainy season (7.44%), followed by summer (7.31%) and winter (7.23%). Agro-climatic zone-wise prevalence revealed the highest prevalence of B. coli infection in central plain zone (9.32%) and undulating plain zone (10.61%) in cattle and buffalo population, respectively. Results of the current study indicate that hot and humid climate and high rainfall favours the prevalence of B. coli infection in dairy animals. The data generated could be of immense help in formulation of effective strategies for GI parasite control particularly B. coli in different agro-climatic zones of Punjab.