Study on the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum among water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in selected Barangays of Gonzaga, Cagayan

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Research Paper 18/02/2024
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Study on the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum among water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in selected Barangays of Gonzaga, Cagayan

Vincent Jim P. Palor
Int. J. Biosci.24( 2), 157-165, February 2024.
Certificate: IJB 2024 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the presence and distribution of Schistosoma japonicum in water buffalo in terms of the number of eggs present per sample, number of animals affected with the, parasite, level of infection of animals per area and a GIS mapping of the area where the parasite exists. It also determined possible association of infection with the age and sex of the animals. The study tested 480 heads of water buffalo from fourteen (14) barangays: San Jose, Baua, Sta. Maria, Cabiraoan, Sta. Cruz, Amunitan, Ipil, Magrafil, Tapel, Calayan, Sta. Clara, Pateng, Isca and Rebecca. Water buffaloes listed in recent health records of the Municipal Agriculture Office were selected and included in the study. The sex and age of the animals were recorded, and they were tested for infection prevalence of Fasciola and Schistosoma japonicum in terms of total count and number of eggs per gram. On the prevalence by number and percentage of animals affected, out of 480 heads, 400 were infected with Fasciola which comprises 83.68% of the total number of animals tested, while 109 heads were infected with S. japonicum which is 22.60% of the animals tested. There were animals infected with Fasciola alone, while others were infected with S. japonicum alone, while still others were infected by both parasites. All of the fourteen (14) barangays involved in the study were infected with Fasciola, while only ten (10) barangays were infected with S. japonicum. The age of the animal is positively related to the number of eggs per gram of S. japonicum but not with Fasciola, which means that the older the animal, the more severe the infection with S. japonicum. Infection prevalence of S. japonicum has nothing to do with Fasciola prevalence.

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