PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS) IN AND AROUND TIRUPATI, INDIA

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites of buffaloes was studied in and around Tirupati of Andra Pradesh for a period of one year through coprological examination. A total of 694 buffaloes were examined; among them, 279 (40.20%) buffaloes were found infected with one or more species of gastro-intestinal parasites. Ten species of gastro-intestinal parasites were identified; of them, seven species were helminthes, namely, Amphistome, Fasciola, Strongyles, Strongyloides, Toxocara, Trichuris, Moniezia spp. and two species were protozoa, namely, Buxtonella, Eimeria and Entamoeba spp. Amphistomes were predominant (15.42%) followed by Strongyles (6.19%). Among the gastro-intestinal parasites mixed infection was common (3.17%). In this study, prevalence of parasites in relation to age and seasonal dynamics was also studied. Significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was observed in the rainy season followed by the summer and winter seasons. In the age groups, adults (above 1 year) were most (p<0.05) susceptible to gastro-intestinal parasites. Based on the results on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in buffaloes it is obligatory to follow integrated strategies and measures to control gastrointestinal parasitic infections in buffaloes in and around Tirupati.