Helminth Parasites in imported Botswana cattle: a comparison with Cattle in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Importing live animals has the potential of moving parasites across borders that may result in spread and emergence of new and
virulent strains of parasites of zoonotic importance. A thousand live cattle imported to Zimbabwe from Botswana and those from
Zimbabwe were examined for the presence of helminths during the period 2011-2013. This was done by handpicking those
parasites that could be seen, in the liver, rumen, reticulum and small intestine. The parasites were preserved in normal saline for
further examination. Physical examination for hydatid cysts was done on the abdominal cavity and in the muscles for Taenia
saginata. The results showed that 22.4% of the one thousand Botswana cattle were infected by helminths whilst 29% of the cattle
from Zimbabwe were infected. These helminth infections included Stilesia hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Monezia benedeni,
Thysaniezia and Setaria that were collected from different organs. Paramphistome infections with low to high burdens of the
worms for cattle from both countries were recorded. Two genera of paramphistomes, Camyerius and Calicophoron were
recovered from Botswana cattle whilst only one genus, Calicophoron was recovered from Zimbabwean cattle. Taenia saginata
was observed as Cysticercus bovis in active muscles of Botswana cattle whilst Echinococcus granulosus was recovered from
the abdominal cavity as hydatid cysts. There was a higher prevalence of Taenia saginata in Botswana cattle with recordings of
2.65% whilst only 1.04% was recorded in cattle from Zimbabwe. The presence of parasites of zoonotic importance in Botswana
cattle shows that there is a possibility of introducing different genotypes of these parasites into the ecosystem resulting in possible
outbreaks. There is also a high possibility that with increase in trade between Zimbabwe and Botswana, a new species of
paramphistome, Camyerius dollfusi, which has not been recorded in Zimbabwean cattle, might be introduced and become
established in this country.