Systematic review on gastrointestinal helminths of domestic ruminants in Ethiopia

This systemic review was conducted to identify, critically assess, and bring together available data from primary researches conducted so far on gastrointestinal (GI) helminthes of domestic ruminants in Ethiopia. In the country, GI helminths of domestic ruminants have been identified; examined and informative statistics has been extracted since a few decades ago. For this review, relevant articles were retrieved from English databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science and Scientific Information Database (SID). Additional studies were recognized by scanning the African Journal Online (AJOL) that includes the Ethiopian Veterinary Journal and Bulletin of Animal Health and Production. Out of retrieved (n=154) articles, thirty three (n=37) articles which fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected. Accordingly, twenty three GI helminthes species which belong to the three classes of helminthes have been found to occur in domestic ruminants in the country. The main genera reported so far are Haemonchus, Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Fasciola, Monezia and Paramphistomum whereas, Haemochus contortus, Moneizia expansa and Fasciolahepatica are the most frequently reported species from Nematode, Cestode and Trematode classes respectively. The overall GI helminths prevalence ranged from 2.3% to 100% were reported. Simple flotation, sedimentation, modified McMaster technique and faecal culture are the most common and routine diagnostic methods which have been used in the country. Management aspects like husbandry practices, climate and host influences are found to be the principal contributing factors that affect GI helminths infections. So far, the control of GI parasites in the country is mainly focusing on the use of anthelmintics. Consequently, due to the lack of effective control strategies, antihelmintics are exclusively used which result in antihelmintics resistance. Generally, occurrence, epidemiological features, realistic control strategies, common diagnostic procedures and frequently encountered species are reviewed. Finally, the relevance of epidemiological knowledge and the development of efficient, sustainable and conventional control measures which cover wider ago-climatic zones of the country are suggested for controlling GI helminths infections and should be assessed timely.