Prevalence and associated factors of balantidiasis in buffaloes of Bhola district, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Balantidium coli is an important enteric protozoan disease of livestock. This study has been undertaken to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of balantidiasis of Bhola district, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from March 2018 to February 2019. A total of 200 buffalo fecal samples were examined through direct smear method. The difference of the prevalence among different variables was evaluated by chi-square test. Results: The overall prevalence of balantidiasis was observed to be 39.0%. Prevalence of B. coli infection was relatively higher in adult buffaloes (44.44%) aged more than 5 years than young (42.65%) aged > 2- ≤ 5 years and buffalo calves (25.49%) aged ≤ 2 years. Higher prevalence of B. coli was observed in female (43.31%) than male (31.51%) buffaloes. Significantly higher prevalence of B. coli infection was observed in rainy season (52.22%) than winter season (20%). Conclusion: Preventive and therapeutic measures against balantidiasis should be undertaken in rainy season.