Dr. Murai Éva - Gubányi András szerk.: Parasitologia Hungarica 29-30. (Budapest, 1997)

© Hungarian Natural History Museum Hungarian Society of Parasitologists Parasit, hung., 29-30: 27-32, 1996-1997 Prevalence of amphistomes of cattle in Thailand p. PRASITIRAT

1

, T. CHOMPOOCHAN

1

, S. NITHIUTHAI

2

, s. WONGKASEMJIT

1

, T. PUNMAMOAMG

1

, P. PONGRUT

1

, S. CHINONE

3 and H. ITAGAKI

3 1 NIAH, Käset Klang, Jatujuk, Bankok, Thailand 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University Bankok, Thailand 3 Department of Parasitology, Azabu University, Kanagawa Ken, Japan (Received 23 March, 1997) Abstract: An epidemiological investigation of amphistome flukes of cattle was carried out in Thailand from 1991 to 1995 by examination of faecal samples and the presence of flukes in the forestomachs. During the period of 1992 to 1995, 4,122 and 3,087 faecal samples were collected from dairy and beef cattle in 17 and 2 provinces, respectively. Faecal examinations were performed by the beads technique and flotation method. The results revealed that the prevalence of amphistomes was obviously higher in beef cattle than in dairy cattle. The prevalence of infection in dairy cattle was 35.8, 14.0, 17.4 and 21.1% in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) count ranged from 1 to 1,896. Other concurrent parasitic infections were caused by Fasciola spp. (2.9, 0.3, 3.8 and 4.1% in the years of study, respectively), Moniezia spp.(0.4, 0.1, 0.1, 0.9%), gastrointestinal strongyles (4.7, 2.8, 3.0, 5.7%), coccidia (0.6, 1.3, 0.4,0.4%) and other parasites. The prevalence of amphistomes in beef cattle was 74.4, 72.7, 63.3 and and 80% in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, with EPG counts ranging from 1 to 2,152. Other current parasitic infections were due to Fasciola spp. (21.2, 14.6, 13.1, 3%), Moniezia (0.5, 2.4, 2, 1%), gastrointestinal strongyles (16.3, 7.3, 16.6, 42%), coccidia (1.5, 0, 3.8, 2.3%), and other parasites. Adult amphistome flukes were looked for at the abattoir in Nonthaburi Province from 1991 to 1995, and the prevalence of was found to be 46, 41, 39, 30 and 50% in those years, respectively. Key words: Amphistomes, cattle, prevalence, Thailand INTRODUCTION The occurrence of infections caused by adult flukes of the superfamily Paramphistomoidea has been investigated in sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes in many countries of the world. The disease, amphistomosis, caused by massive infection of the small intestine by immature amphistomes, and no information is available on the association of adult flukes with the clinical signs. Amphistomosis causes sporadic outbreaks characterised by acute