Status of helminthosis and coccidiosis in goats and sheep in traditional flocks in Melela Division, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

A cross sectional study was carried out between June and August 2014 to establish the status of helminthosis and coccidiosis in nine purposefully selected small ruminant flocks in Mlandizi village in Melela ward, Mvomero district of Morogoro region, Tanzania. The study aimed at generating baseline information for vaccine trials against Haemonchosis in traditional flock in tropical areas. A total of 131 goats and 118 sheep that were screened for helminth eggs and coccidian oocysts using McMaster flotation techniques. In addition, copro-culture was carried out to obtain third stage larvae for parasite identification to the genus level based on morphological features shown in identification keys. Approximately, 54.2% and 52.7% of the goats (n=131) had helminth and coccidia infestations while, 67.8% and 49.2% of sheep were positive for the two parasite types, respectively. The average number (mean±SD) of eggs per gram (epg) in goats was 276±433 (range =100 to 2,100). In sheep, the average epg was 307±378, with values in individual animals ranging between 100 and 1,900. For the coccidian infestation, the average numbers of oocysts per gram (opg) in goats and sheep were 1180±2663 (range=100 to 100,300) and 1661±9563 (range= 100 to 28,300), respectively. Helminth genera detected in sampled animals were Haemonchus (50.7%), Trichostrongylus (29%), Oesophagostomum (16.4%), Cooperia (5.9%) and Strongyloides (3.4%). Monieza spp. was detected in sheep (5.8%) and goats (0.8%). Coccidial oocysts identified comprised of Eimeria caprina (20.6%), E. granulosa (16.2%), E. marsica (14.3%), E. ovinoidalis (12.4%), E. arloingi , (12.4%), for E. parva (16.2%) and E. christenseni (7.6%). The presence of gastro-intestinal parasites in the study animals calls for formulation of appropriate interventions that hinge on parasite burden profiles as influenced by climatic conditions and variability trends. Keywords: Helminthosis, epg, opg, faecal culture