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. 2018 Sep;11(9):1298-1306.
doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1298-1306. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt

Marwa M Attia  1 , Marwa M Khalifa  1 , Marwa Th Atwa  2
Affiliations

The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt

Marwa M Attia et al. Vet World. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to record and update the prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt during the period from January to December 2017.

Materials and methods: A total of 120 donkeys (10 donkeys each month) were examined at Giza zoo abattoir through bimonthly visits. The examined donkeys were obtained from five governorates (Giza [20], Fayoum [40], Beni Suef [30], Monofia [20], and Assiut [10]). The animals were grouped according to age and sex.

Results: All examined donkeys were positive with at least one internal or even external parasitic species. The overall prevalence rate was 100%. A total of 11 helminths species (10 nematodes and 1 metacestode); 7 protozoal and 7 arthropod species were collected. The number of each parasite and intensity of infection with regard to age and sex was recorded.

Conclusion: All examined donkeys were infected with parasites with an overall prevalence of 100%. So, we recommended following up and continuous treatment of such diseased animal.

Keywords: Egypt; arthropods; donkeys; external parasites; helminths; internal parasites; protozoa.

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Figures

Figure-1
Figure-1
Strongylus spp. infecting large intestine of donkeys (notes its buccal capsules). (a) Strongylus vulgaris (two ear-shaped subdorsal teeth), (b) Strongylus equinus (three teeth; one large bifid teeth and two smaller one), (c) Strongylus edentatus (buccal capsules with no teeth), Scale bar 100 μm.
Figure-2
Figure-2
(a) Habronema muscae (cylindrical pharynx), (b) Habronema megastoma (funnel-shaped pharynx), (c) Cylicocyclus asini, (d) Cyathostomum spp., (e) Parascaris equorum (large lips), (f) Oxyuris equi (pinworm).
Figure-3
Figure-3
(a) Skin heavily infested with ticks, (b and c) hydatid cyst in liver, lung, and spleen, (d) Setaria equina (filarial nematodes of equines from the peritoneal cavity).
Figure-4
Figure-4
(a) Strongylus eggs, (b) Oxyuris equi eggs with cellophane tape techniques, Scale bar 100 μm.
Figure-5
Figure-5
Protozoan parasites infection donkeys. (a) Eimeria leuckarti, (b) Cryptosporidium spp., (c and f) Sarcocystis spp. in muscles and heart, (d) Balantidium coli, (e) Entamoeba coli vegetative form. Scale bar 50 μm.
Figure-6
Figure-6
(a) Trypanosoma evansi, (b) Theileria equi; blood smears stained with Giemsa stain. Scale bar 10 μm.
Figure-7
Figure-7
Ectoparasites infesting donkeys. (a) Gasterophilus intestinalis (1) 1d on dorsal view, 1v on ventral view, 2: Gasterophilus nasalis, 2d on dorsal surface; 2v on ventral surface. (b) Hippobosca equina, (c) Haematopinus asini, (d) Psoroptes equi, scale bar100 μm.
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