Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2013 to April 2014 to
determine prevalence and economic significance of bovine fasciolosis at Debre Tabor
municipal abattoir. Atotal of 384 cattle were selected by simple random sampling
method, subjected to antemortem and postmortem examination during the study
period. The overall prevalence of fasciolosis in the study was proved to be 123
(32.03%). There was no statistically significant (χ²=0.007=; p = 0.932) variation in
prevalence between sexes. On the other hand, there was significant (χ² = 44.244; p=
0.000) variation between different body condition score of the animals. Species
identification revealed that F. hepatica was more prevalent (70.73%) than F.
gigantica (12.19%) and unidentified or immature fluke (17.07%). Analysis of
intensity of pathological lesions revealed 32 (26.011%) lightly, 51 (41.46%)
moderately and 40 (32.52%) severely affected livers. The number of flukes recovered
in moderately affected livers was higher (Mean=72.6) than in either severely
(Mean=51.6) or lightly (Mean=26.51) affected livers.Taking liver examination as
gold standard for diagnosis of fasciolosis, the sensitivity of direct sedimentation
technique was found to be 69.29% and the specificity 100% with substantial
agreement (k=0.76) between the two methods.The average economic loss a result of
liver condemnation was on average 145,789.62 ETB (7,507.18USD) per annum,
indicating that the disease is economically important. Finally, the abattoir based
prevalence recorded in the study area and the loss incurred suggests that a detailed
epidemiological study as well as assessment of the overall economic loss due to
fasciolosis is required to implement systematic disease prevention and control
methods.
Key Words: Fasciolosis, F. hepatica, F. gigantica, cattle, prevalence, economic
significance, Debre Tabore municipal abattoir, Ethiopia