Prevalence and spectrum of helminths in free-ranging African buffaloes (syncerus caffer) in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Abstract

Parasitic organisms, such as helminths, are known to inhabit and engage in interactions within communities consisting of multiple species. The prevalence, magnitude, and impacts of these concealed interactions remain inadequately comprehended unless continuous research is conducted. The objectives of this study were to determine the spectrum, prevalence, and burden of faecal helminths in free-ranging buffaloes in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). This was a cross-sectional study involving the collection of 59 African buffalo faecal samples from three study sites (Hamkungu, Kasenyi, and Katunguru) at the QENP-community interface. The samples were then tested for helminth using the floatation technique, the sedimentation technique, and the McMaster counting technique. The spectrum of helminth included all three major groups of helminths identified, and these were: nematodes: Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Oestertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, Nematodirus, Chabertia, Cooperia, and Marshallagia; cestodes: Moneizia spp. and Taenia spp.; and trematodes: Fasciola spp. All positive samples were of mixed infections, with more than two genera of helminths detected. From 59 faecal samples, 48 (81.36%) were positive for helminth, 29(49.2%) were from Hamkungu, 20 (33.9%) were from Kasenyi, and 10(16.9%) were from Katunguru. Haemonchus spp. (49.15%) had the highest prevalence, followed by Bunostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. (47.46%), Oesophagostomum spp. (45.76%), and Ostertagia spp. (35.59%), and the least prevalent was Marshallagia spp. (1.69%). The mean egg counts (epg) (mean±SD) were highest in Bunostomum spp. (122.03±146.30), followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (106.78±129.81), Haemonchus spp. (101.69±129.31), and Oesophagostomum spp. (96.61±120.30). The mean differences of helminth in the three locations (Hamkungu, Kasenyi, and Katunguru) were not significant, except for Strongyloides spp. (p<0.05). The occurrence of such a variety of helminths in free-ranging African buffaloes at the QENP-community interface indicates a high risk of transmission to other ungulates and livestock, and vice versa.