Prevalence of ruminant paramphistomosis and comparative histopathology of the infected rumens in Narowal district, Punjab, Pakistan

• Published in: Helminthologia Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 377 - 384
• Main Authors: Rizwan, H. M., Usman, M., Naeem, M. A., Farid, M. U., Younus, M., Sajid, M. S., Tahir, U. B., Luqman, N., Abbas, H., Ateeq, M. K., Taseer, M. S. A., Asif, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Sciendo 30.12.2022; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Animals; Epithelium; Feed conversion; Feed conversion efficiency; Feed efficiency; Histopathology; Pakistan; Paramphistomum; Parasites; Prevalence; Ruminants; Thickness; Punjab Pakistan; Pakistan; Paramphistomum; Histopathology; Pakistan; Prevalence; Ruminants
• ISSN: 0440-6605; 1336-9083; 1336-9083
• DOI: 10.2478/helm-2022-0041

The present study reports the prevalence of spp. in small and large ruminants and their association with the histopathology of the infected rumens. A total of 384 animals were screened for spp. The animals found positive for spp. were divided into three groups according to the worm load/5 cm (G1: 10 – 20 worms/5 cm = Low, G2: 20 – 40 worms/5 cm = Medium, and G3: >41 worms/5 cm = High). Tissue slides were prepared from samples of the rumen (1 cm ) taken from animals positive for ruminal fluke to determine the histological parameters, including epithelial length or thickness, length and width of the ruminal papilla, and thickness of tunica submucosa and mucularis externae. The overall prevalence of spp. in the ruminant population of district Narowal was 56.25 % with a significant (P < 0.05) variation among different species of ruminants. The highest prevalence was in cattle, followed in order by buffalo, goat, and sheep. Epithelium thickness was significantly correlated with parasite load in large ruminants and the most significant (P < 0.05) decrease in epithelium thickness was in Group B (31.12 ± 1.82 μm) and Group C (31.07 ± 1.68 μm) and a same trend was recorded in small ruminants. Histopathological changes due to spp. are reported for the first time, which explained the histomorphological and physiological changes in -infected rumens which might be associated with lowered feed efficiency and productivity in ruminants.