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Epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites infection and accuracy of FAMACHA test in sheep in traditional farming systems in Burkina Faso

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Abstract

Blood and faecal samples from 2086 Sahelian and Djallonke sheep have been collected to assess the epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites. A survey with a questionnaire allowed collecting data on individual animal and farms. Faecal samples were analysed using the McMaster technique, while anaemia was assessed using FAMACHA score test and packed cell volume. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, and strongyles (70.7%), Eimeria sp. (60.4%), Moniezia sp. (5.7%), Stronyloides sp. (0.9%) were identified. There was no significant association between the region and strongyles infection (P ˃ 0.05). Animals sampled during the rainy season (n = 565; P = 82.2%, mean EPG = 154.8 ± 12.02) were mostly and heavily infected than those from the hot dry (n = 518; P = 74.2%; mean EPG = 97.7 ± 17.4) and the cold dry season (n = 392; P = 55.5%; mean EPG = 24.5 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Females (n = 1027; P = 72.1%; mean EPG = 77.6 ± 17) were most infected than males (n = 448; P = 67.7%; mean EPG = 61.6 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Animals that were treated, at most 3 months before sampling (n = 166; P = 61.5%; mean EPG = 41.7 ± 21.4), were less infected than those, which received this treatment after three months before sampling (n = 199; P = 74.8%; mean EPG = 89.1 ± 15.8) (P ˂ 0.05). Data from blood samples indicate that 6.5% of sheep was anaemic (PCV ≤ 19%), while 59.7% was noted anaemic regarding FAMACHA scores. PCV values varied significantly for FAMACHA scores, and the highest mean value was noted for score 1 (27.6) (P ˂ 0.05). The Cohen’s kappa score between FAMACHA and PCV was 0.02. These findings suggest that strongyles infections are significantly associated with season, and heavier infections were noted during rainy season.

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Acknowledgements

We thank laboratory and field technicians and also the Mercy Corps for financial support.

Availability of data and material

Data from this study are available after request from the project team.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Mercy Corps under the project “Enhancing the productivity of small ruminants through improved and cost effective feeding and animal health interventions in Burkina Faso and Niger”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement et du Développement Rural (ISEDR), Université de Dédougou, Dédougou, BP 176, Burkina Faso

    L. D. Dahourou

  2. Laboratoire de Biologie et Santé animales (LaBioSA), Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), 04 BP 8645, Ouagadougou, 04, Burkina Faso

    L. D. Dahourou, A. Konaté, A.S.R. Tapsoba, A. Dicko, M. Sanou, H. H. Tamboura & A. Traoré

  3. Unité de Formation et de Recherches/Science de la Vie et de la Terre, Université de Ouagadougou, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina Faso

    B. Bayala

  4. Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, BP 429, Niamey, Niger

    I. Salissou

  5. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 660 Raymond Stotzer Pkwy, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    L. L. Logan

  6. Académie des Sciences du Mali, Baco-Djicoroni ACI Ouest, Rue 619 Porte, 104, Bamako, Mali

    S. Tembely

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  1. L. D. Dahourou
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  3. A.S.R. Tapsoba
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  6. H. H. Tamboura
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  10. L. L. Logan
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  11. S. Tembely
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Correspondence to L. D. Dahourou.

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This study receive the agreement of the “comité d'éthique en experimentation animale” under the number CE-UOI/2019-02.

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Before the collection of data in each farm, the objectives of the study have explained to farmers and all of them accepted to participate to this study by giving their oral consent.

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Farmer informed consent was asked during fieldwork. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guideline for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Dahourou, L.D., Konaté, A., Tapsoba, A. et al. Epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites infection and accuracy of FAMACHA test in sheep in traditional farming systems in Burkina Faso. Trop Anim Health Prod 53, 392 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02810-3

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