Prevalence Of Blood Parasites among Goat sold at Livestock Markets in Niger State

Abstract

Blood parasites, also known as haemoparasites are intracellular or intercellular microorganisms inhabiting in the blood cells of animals. They rely on the vector or carrier to transmit them to the host, it has been reported as a major constraint, causing high morbidities and mortalities and also preventing animals from expressing their full genetic potentials. The prevalence of blood parasites among goat sold at livestock markets at the three agricultural ecological zones of Niger State was determined. A total of ninety blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein of goat sold at the livestock markets and were microscopically examined for the presence of haemoparasites. The laboratory results were subjected to statiscal analysis to determine the prevalence rate. The overall prevalence of haemoparasites infections was 22.2 % of all the samples examined. Five haemoparasites of goat with prevalence rates of 7.77 %, 5.55%, 3.33 %, 4.44% and 1.11 % for Microfilaria, Plasmodium, Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria respectively were observed. Microfilaria had the highest prevalence rate (7.77 %) while Theileria had the least prevalence rate (1.11 %). The prevalence rate of the haemoparasites in relation to zones, revealed higher infection rate in Zone A (30.00%) than Zone B and C (20.00 and 16.66 %) respectively. The rate of prevalence of haemoparasites observed in this study were not significantly different (>0.05) across the three Agroecological Zones of the State. However, the result of this study indicates a prevalence of haemoparasite infections among goat sold at livestock markets in Niger state.