The prevalence and potential factors associated with ecto-parasitic infestations in Black Bengal Goats in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Ecto-parasites namely ticks, lice and flea are important due to their blood sucking habit, skin damage and acting as vectors for various disease pathogens in both livestock and humans. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and identify potential factors associated with ecto-parasitic infestations at Mymensingh sadar, Mymensingh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken during July 2019 to June 2020. The data on risk factors was recorded using a questionnaire. Ecto-parasites were collected from randomly selected 173 goats and examined by preparing permanent slides. The potential factors were identified by univariable analysis. Main results: The overall prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation was 60.1% (104/173). The identified ecto-parasites were Damalinia caprae (83, 47.9%), Linognathus stenopsis (42, 24.3%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (36, 20.8%) and Ctenocephalides canis (16, 9.3%). Female (70.7%) goats were 2.9 times more prone to ecto-parasitic infestations than male goats (48.2%). Significantly highest infestations was recorded in adult goats (72.7%), followed by the young goats (52.7%) and the lowest in kids (46.3%). Also, prevalence was significantly (p< 0.001) higher in poor conditioned (76.4%) and anemic (72.9%) goats than that of good conditioned (34.3%) and non-anemic (44.2%) goats, respectively. Furthermore, acaricides /insecticides use in goats greatly influenced the prevalence of ecto-parasitic infestations. Prevalence was higher in those goats that never treated with acaricides and/or insecticides (70.78%) than those goats regularly treated with acaricides/insecticides (27.91%). Conclusions: A very high prevalence of ecto-parasitic infestation was recorded in goats of Mymensingh district. Farmers awareness should be increased to control ectoparasitic infestations especially in female, adult and goats with poor body condition.