Patel Dharmraj Kumar, Subedi Janak Raj, Dhakal Pitambar, Parajuli Rajendra Prasad
Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, California, USA.
Vet Med Sci. 2025 Mar;11(2):e70254. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70254.
In Nepal, cows and buffaloes are common livestock used in subsistence farming and are often afflicted by helminth and protozoan parasites.
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and contributing (i.e., previously suggested to be associated with IPIs) factors affecting bovine calves in the Birgunj region, Nepal.
From June to December 2023, 200 faecal samples (100 from commercial farms and 100 from subsistence farms) were collected and analysed using flotation and sedimentation techniques. Contributing factors were systematically obtained using structured questionnaires and direct field observations.
Overall, 62% of the samples contained oocysts or eggs of intestinal parasites. The identified species included one protozoan (Eimeria spp., 7.5%), five nematodes (Strongyloides spp., 15.5%; Ostertagia spp., 6.5%; Haemonchus spp., 4.5%; Toxocara spp. and 11.5%; Ascaris spp., 4%) and two trematodes (Fasciola spp., 20%; Paramphistomum spp., 13%). The Fasciola spp. prevalence was notably higher in calves from subsistence farms compared to commercial farms (p = 0.015). Buffalo calves presented higher rates of Fasciola spp. and dual infections (p = 0.001), whereas cow calves presented a greater prevalence of Toxocara spp. (p = 0.046). Calves grazing near riverbanks presented significantly higher odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.07-7.14]) of any IPIs, even after adjusting for other significant factors in a bivariate model. Factors, such as free-range rearing, subsistence farming and grazing on riverbank grasses, were linked to higher odds of Fasciola spp. infection in the bivariate model, but only the presence of buffalo calves ([aOR]: 2.64, 95% CI [1.03-6.76]) remained significant after mutual adjustment (i.e., in the multivariate model).
These findings underscore the significant burden of intestinal parasites in young calves, highlighting the need for regular inspections and preventive measures.
在尼泊尔，牛和水牛是自给农业中常见的家畜，经常受到蠕虫和原生动物寄生虫的折磨。
本研究旨在评估尼泊尔比尔根杰地区牛犊肠道寄生虫感染（IPIs）的患病率以及影响牛犊的相关因素（即先前认为与IPIs相关的因素）。
2023年6月至12月，收集了200份粪便样本（100份来自商业农场，100份来自自给农场），并使用浮选和沉淀技术进行分析。通过结构化问卷和直接现场观察系统地获取相关因素。
总体而言，62%的样本含有肠道寄生虫的卵囊或虫卵。鉴定出的种类包括一种原生动物（艾美耳属，7.5%）、五种线虫（类圆线虫属，15.5%；奥斯特他线虫属，6.5%；血矛线虫属，4.5%；弓首线虫属，11.5%；蛔虫属，4%）和两种吸虫（片形吸虫属，20%；同盘吸虫属，13%）。与商业农场相比，自给农场的犊牛片形吸虫属感染率明显更高（p = 0.015）。水牛犊的片形吸虫属感染率和双重感染率更高（p = 0.001），而牛犊的弓首线虫属感染率更高（p = 0.046）。即使在双变量模型中对其他显著因素进行调整后，在河岸附近放牧的犊牛发生任何IPIs的几率仍显著更高（调整后的优势比[aOR]：2.76，95%置信区间[CI][1.07 - 7.14]）。在双变量模型中，诸如自由放养、自给农业和在河岸草地放牧等因素与片形吸虫属感染的较高几率相关，但在相互调整后（即在多变量模型中），只有水牛犊的存在（[aOR]：2.64，95% CI[1.03 - 6.76]）仍然显著。
这些发现强调了幼龄犊牛肠道寄生虫的重大负担，突出了定期检查和预防措施的必要性。
