Sunteți pe pagina 1din 8

Incidence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes in Captive Elephants in Wildlife

Reserves of Nepal

Dr.Kedar Karki, Senior Vet. Officer.

Dr.Poornima Manandhar Senior Vet.Officer


Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections
among captive elephants of Different Wild life Reserve Park of Nepal .Fecal
samples of 20 elephants were collected from Suklaphanta, Bardiya Sauraha and
Koshi Tappu during 2007June-November 2007, and examined for the presence
of helminthes ova. Of the 20 elephants, all were positive for helminthes. The
incidence of helminthes infection as recorded in this study was out of 20
samples 6 samples were positive for Fasciola jacksoni,2 for Paramphistome,15
samples revealed the presence of egg and larvae of Oesophagostomum spp, and
Chabertia spp 18 samples were positive for Schistosomes spp 1 sample was
found positive for Dicrocoelium spp and 1 sample positive for Monezia spp.
Location wise samples from Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve were positive for
Fasciola and Schistosomes spp while samples from Chitwan National park were
positive for Fasciola,Paramphistome and Oesophagostomum spp .The samples
from Suklaphanta wildlife reserve and Bardia wildlife reserve were positive for
Schistosomes spp and Oesophagostomum and Chabertia spp.As this is the first
screening of the prevalence of Helminthes in Elephant and need to asses
seasonalpattern .

Background:

Elephants are mainly raised in wildlife reserve for security purpose


patrolling.Many resort in these wildlife area do keep these animal for tour
operation.Very little work has been done to document the disease and parasite
condition of this animal has been done in past.

Material and Methods:

Fecal samples were collected from different wild life reserve and Coprological
analysis was done by qualitative method.
Carpological findings

S.N Fasciola Paramphistomum Oesophagostomum Schistosomes Dicrocoelium Mon


spp spp/ Chabertia spp
Koshi tappu
1 - - - + -
+
2 + - + + ++ -
3 - - - + - -
4 - - - +
5 - - - + - -
6 - - - - -
7 ++ - --- ++ -- --
Sauraha
8 ++ ++ +++ -- -- --
9 ++ + + ++ - -
10 - - ++ ++ - -
Suklaphanta
11 + - ++ ++ - -
12 + - ++ ++ - -
13 - - ++ ++ - -
Bardiya
14 - - ++ ++ - -
15 - - ++ ++ - -
16 - - ++ ++ - -
17 - - ++ ++ - -
18 - - ++ ++ - -
19 - - ++ ++ - -
2o - - - -
Total

Review of literatures

Bivitellobilharzia nairi was first recorded in India by Mudaliar Ramanujachar,


Dutta and Srivastava, in 1955. A number of adult worm specimens of this
schistosome species were recovered by Agatsuma, T., Rajapakse, R. P.,
Kuruwita, V. Y., Iwagami, M., and Rajapakse, R. C, from a domestic elephant,
which died in 1999 in Sri Lanka. This is the first report of this schistosome from
Sri Lanka (1). Saseendran, P. C., Rajendran, S., Subramanian, H., Sasikumar,
M., Vivek, G., and Anil, K. S, conducted Study to determine the prevalence of
parasitic infections among captive elephants in Guruvayoor town in Kerala,
India. The incidence of helminthes infection decreased from 22.73% in 2000 to
12.73% in 2002. Among the positive dung samples, 10 (10.10%) had Strongylidae
and 7 (7.07%) had Digenea.They concluded the low incidence of helminth
infection among captive elephants in the studied area might be due to the
regular annual deworming using albendazole (2.5 mg/kg body weight(2).
Easwaran, K. R., Reghu, Ravindran., and Pillai, K. M. reported parasitic
infection in 4 wild boars (Sus scrofa cristatus), a calf elephant (Elephas
maximus), a sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and a leopard (Felis bengalensis) at
the Thekaddy forest area in Kerala, India. Parasites found in the wild boar,
except Gastrodiscoides hominis and Gnathostoma hispidum, commonly infect
domestic pigs. The elephant calf was heavily infected with stongyle worms and
maggots of Cobboldia elephantis. The sambar was infected with Linguatula
serrata larvae, whereas the leopard was found to be infected with
Echinococcus granulosus.(3). Kashid, K. P., Shrikhande, G. B., and Bhojne, G. R.
isolated worms included Amphistoma, strongyles, Trichuris spp., Moniezia spp.,
Ascaridia galli, Toxascaris leonina, Raillietina tetragona, Paragonimus
westermani, Filaroides osleri [Oslerus osleri], F. hirthi, Ascaridia galli + R.
tetragona, Taenia taeniaeformis, Trichuris + P. westermani and Ascaridia galli +
Subulura spp.(4). Carreno, R. A., Neimanis, A. S., Lindsjo, J., Thongnoppakun,
P., Barta, J. R., and Peregrine, A. S. reported faecal examinations were
negative for nematode eggs in all elephants and negative for fluke eggs in two
of the animals. However, adult parasites were recovered from faeces from each
of the animals 36-72 hours after deworming. These included Murshidia
falcifera, M. neveulemairei, a Quilonia species, and the amphistome Pfenderius
papillatus, 1910. The finding of P. papillatus constitutes the first record of this
species in Thailand. Specimens of P. papillatus were examined by scanning
electron microscopy. In contrast to earlier descriptions of this species, no
prominent papillae were found at the anterior end. Structures on the
acetabulum that had previously been described as papillae were actually
elevated pores that were spread over the acetabulum. These pores differ from
all previous descriptions of P. papillatus and indicate a highly modified
acetabulum in P. papillatus relative to other Pfenderius species.(5). Raman, M.,
Jayathangaraj, M. G., and Malik, P. K. reported under laboratory conditions,
larvae of Murshidia sp. revealed high motility until 4 months and maintained
moderate motility until 7 months. In comparison, larvae of Quilonia sp. and
Decrusia sp. displayed a high degree of motility during the first 2 months, but
this subsequently declined. These observations suggest that, under in vitro
conditions, strongylid larvae from captive Asiatic elephants of the Chennai
region may survive for 4 to 7 months.(6). Suresh, K., Choudhuri, P. C., Kumari,
K. N., Hafeez, M., and Hamza, P. A conducted faecal egg counts (EPG) by Stoll's
dilution method. Analysis of old records revealed that in NZP strongylosis was
predominant in summer (52.63%) and the prevalence was lower in animals
below 15 years of age. Seven animals (63.64 and 87.5%) each tested positive for
ova of strongyles in NZP and SVD, respectively. On treatment with albendazole
(Kalbend, 5 mg/kg BW, PO), the animals completely recovered on the seventh
day. Therapy resulted in decreases in the pretherapeutic mean EPGs of
700±128.89 (SVD) and 671.4±123.20 (NZP) to 78.57±30.53 and 50±21.79,
respectively. The animals were monitored up to four weeks after therapy.(7).
Raman, M., Jayathagaraj, M. G., Rajavelu, G., and John, M. C.reported
Strongylosis in captive elephants (8).Saidul, Islam, Abdul, Mukit, Manoranjan,
Das, Islam, S., Mukit, A., and Das, M. studied the pathology of both immature
and mature Gastrodiscus secundus and Pseudodiscus collinsi were recovered
from the caecum of 2 captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at Kaziranga
National Park, Assam, India. Oedema, pin head size haemorrhages and
ulcerative patches in the caecal mucosa were prominent. Mild lymphocytic
infiltration in the mucosa with focal necrosis at the tip of the villi were
observed. (9). Bhat, M. N. and Manickam, R. conducted coproculture and
demonstration of third stage larvae of Murshidia sp. in elephants (Elephas
maximus).(10). On Postmortem examination Matsuo, K., Hayashi, S., and
Kamiya, M. found that the gastrointestinal tracts of all 3 animals were also
infected with Murshidia falcifera (Nematoda), Hawkesius hawkesi and
Pfenderius papillatus (Digenea) and Cobboldia elephantis (Diptera). The
elephant louse, Haematomyzus elephantis, was a common cause of
dermatopathy in elephants kept in the national park.(11). Islam, S. conducted
Study on some aspects of fascioliasis in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).
Wild elephants had an overall prevalence rate of 33.78%. Captive elephants
showed prevalence rates of 42.50, 62.28 and 18.18% according to locality. The
egg, miracidium and adult stages of F. jacksoni were studied by light and
scanning electron microscopy, and their morphology is described. A diurnal
fluctuation in faecal egg count was recorded, with average counts of 4.89, 2.47
and 2.76 during the morning, noon and evening, respectively. Young animals
were most affected by the parasite and showed anorexia, constipation,
diarrhea, anaemia and icterus, with death occurring in severe cases. Some old
adults survived the disease with no apparent clinical manifestations. The adult
parasites caused massive liver damage. Treatment with triclabendazole (9
mg/kg, not exceeding 7200 mg/animal) and oxyclozanide (7.5 mg/kg, not
exceeding 6.8 g/animal) were 100 and 72.16% effective, respectively.(12).
Matsuo, K. and Suprahman, H reported three Sumatran elephants (Elephas
maximus sumatranus) in Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia, that died of
clostridiosis were infected with 1 species of nematode (Murshida falcifera), 2
trematodes (Hawkesius hawkesi and Pfenderius papillatus), and 1 larval botfly
species (Cobboldia elephantis) in the gastrointestinal tract. This is the first
report of H. hawkesi, P. papillatus and C. elephantis infection in Sumatran
elephants in Indonesia(13). Watve, M. G. conducted study on Helminthes
Parasites of Elephants: Ecological Aspects. The helminthes parasites of free
ranging as well as captive elephants of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary were
studied quantitatively by analysing over 200 dung samples and 7 autopsy
examinations. The prevalence and intensities of infection were high in both
captive as well as wild elephants. The helminth communities of both were,
however, species poor as compared to other mammalian host species. The high
prevalence and intensities are thought to be related to the absence of
predation and the low species diversity may be a result of absence of other
closely related host species. The age and sex of individuals sampled did not
affect their parasite loads significantly. The faecal propagule densities were
significantly greater during the dry season as compared to the wet season.
Stronglid nematodes of the genus Quilonia dominated the helminth
communities. Tapeworm infection was significantly greater in captive elephants
than the wild ones. The possible reasons for this difference are discussed.(14).
Singh, K. P., Srivastava, V. K., Prasad, A., and Pandey, A. P conducted study of
Pathology due to Fasciola jacksoni in Indian elephants (Elephas indicus). F.
jacksoni recovered from infected liver and lungs were almost round, pear-
shaped measuring 10-16 mm in length and 8.5-14 mm in width with ill-defined
cephalic end between indistinct shoulders. The intestine was extensively
branched. The yellowish tinged ova were oval with an operculum at one end
and measured 0.112-0.160 (mean 0.13) mm in length and 0.054-0.096 (mean
0.07) mm in width. Infected liver showed haemorrhagic tracts, thickening of
bile ductules, cirrhotic changes and pseudolobulations. In the lungs, the
bronchial lumen contained desquamated cells admixed with
fibrinohaemorrhagic exudate.(15). Li, C. X., Rong, Y. M., and Xie, Q.
P.conducted a study of helminth parasites of elephants (Elephas maximus).In
between 1985 and 1990, the following parasites were recovered from Elephas
maximus in China: Choniangium epistomum, Murshidia falcifera, M. murshida,
M. neveulemairei, Quilonia travancra, Chabertia erschovi, Gasterophilus
pecorum, and G. intestinalis.(16) Chakraborthy, A. and Chaudhury, B.
conducted study on Pathology of Fasciola jacksoni infestation in elephants.
Fasciola jacksoni infection was discovered in 2 out of 3 elephants autopsied at
Assam State Zoo, India, during 1985 to 1989. The parasites were attached to
biliary epithelium. Microscopy demonstrated that the biliary epithelium was
distorted by necrotic tissue which contained erythrocytes and ova of F.
jacksoni. The epithelium was analyzed by X-ray microanalysis, which showed
that the infected epithelium contained aluminum, silicon, calcium and iron,
while non-infected, normal biliary epithelium contained only phosphorus and
sulfur. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that both the dorsal and
ventral surfaces of the parasite possessed spines.(17). Maske, D. K., Sardey, M.
R., and Bhilegaonkar, N. G, Studied the Helminth parasites in zoo animals of
Maharaj Bag, Nagpur, Maharashtra State on faecal samples obtained from 28
animals during 1979 to 1981 were examined by direct smear, flotation and
dilution count techniques. 17 animals were positive for parasitic infections.
Toxascarids and Ancylostoma were found in lions and tigers in rainy and winter
seasons. Isospora felis, Paragonimus westermani and Taenia pisiformis were also
found in winter. Ancylostoma sp. was found in leopard cubs, and ascarids in lion
cubs. More than 1 helminth species were not usually found together. Strongyles
were found in elephants and a cestode in a python. A slothbear, Himalayan
bear, Russian bear and white and black monkeys were negative for helminth
parasites.(18). Li, C. X., Rong, Y. M., and Lan, J. G. conducted a study on
antihelmintic efficacy of albendazole against parasites in Indian elephants 4
Indian elephants treated orally with albendazole at 20, 30 or 35 mg/kg were
negative for nematode and trematode eggs after one month.(19). Eric R.
Morgan1,2,6, Blok Shaikenov3, Paul R. Torgerson2,4, Graham F. Medley1 and E.
J. Milner-Gulland5 reported Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) graze extensively
on livestock pasture, potentially enabling transmission of a wide range of
parasitic helminths between saigas and domestic ruminants. Thirty-six of the 38
species of helminth that have been found in saigas in Kazakhstan in the past
have been found also in domestic livestock. We examined 133 saigas culled for
meat in autumn 1997, and found three species of cestode and 12 nematodes
(nine in the abomasum), but no trematodes or lungworms. The most abundant
species were Marshallagia marshalli, Marshallagia mongolica, and Nematodirus
gazellae in the abomasum, Nematodirus gazellae in the small intestine, and
Skrjabinema ovis in the large intestine. There was no clear relationship
between intensities of abomasal nematodes and body condition. Age-intensity
patterns differed between species: N. gazellae intensities were highest in
saigas around 2–3 yr old, and declined in older animals, whereas the intensity
of Marshallagia spp. rose asymptotically with age. Fecal egg density was
directly proportional to adult worm intensity across ages for Marshallagia spp.,
but only in young animals for N. gazellae. There was no evidence that
helminths, at the intensities observed, adversely affect saiga populations. The
host range of many of the parasites found is broad, and transmission between
saigas and livestock in both directions might become important to agriculture
and conservation as livestock numbers recover. Simplified sampling techniques
used in this study, and statistical analysis based on bootstrapping, could prove
useful in other parasitologic surveys of wildlife in remote areas. (20)

Result and Discussion:

The incidence of helminthes infection as recorded in this study was out of 20


samples 6 samples were positive for Fasciola jacksoni,2 for Paramphistome,15
samples revealed the presence of egg and larvae of Oesophagostomum spp, and
Chabertia spp 18 samples were positive for Schistosomes spp 1 sample was
found positive for Dicrocoelium spp and 1 sample positive for Monezia spp.
Location wise samples from Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve were positive for
Fasciola and Schistosomes spp while samples from Chitwan National park were
positive for Fasciola,Paramphistome and Oesophagostomum spp .The samples
from Suklaphanta wildlife reserve and Bardia wildlife reserve were positive for
Schistosomes spp and Oesophagostomum and Chabertia spp.As this is the first
screening of the prevalence of Helminthes in Elephant and need to asses
seasonal pattern .

References:
1.Agatsuma, T., Rajapakse, R. P., Kuruwita, V. Y., Iwagami, M., and Rajapakse,
R. C. Molecular taxonomic position of the elephant schistosome,
Bivitellobilharzia nairi, newly discovered in Sri Lanka. Parasitology International
53[1], 69-75. 2004.
2:Saseendran, P. C., Rajendran, S., Subramanian, H., Sasikumar, M., Vivek, G.,
and Anil, K. S. Incidence of helminthic infection among annually dewormed
captive elephants. Zoos' Print Journal 19[3], 1422. 2004.
3:Easwaran, K. R., Reghu, Ravindran., and Pillai, K. M. Parasitic infection of
some wild animals at Thekkady in Kerala. Zoos' Print Journal 18[2], 1030. 2003.
4:Kashid, K. P., Shrikhande, G. B., and Bhojne, G. R. Incidence of gastro-
intestinal helminths in captive wild animals at different locations. Zoos' Print
Journal 18[3], 1053-1054. 2003.
5;Carreno, R. A., Neimanis, A. S., Lindsjo, J., Thongnoppakun, P., Barta, J. R.,
and Peregrine, A. S. Parasites found in faeces of Indian elephants (Elephas
maximus) in Thailand following treatment with mebendazole, with observations
on Pfenderius papillatus (Cobbold, 1882) Stiles and Goldberger, 1910 by
scanning electron microscopy. Helminthologia 38[2], 75-79. 2001.
6:Raman, M., Jayathangaraj, M. G., and Malik, P. K. In vitro survivability of
strongylid larvae of elephants. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 71[11], 1043-
1044. 2001.
7;Suresh, K., Choudhuri, P. C., Kumari, K. N., Hafeez, M., and Hamza, P. A.
Epidemiological and clinico-therapeutic studies of strongylosis in elephants.
Zoos' Print Journal 16[7], 539-540. 2001.
8:Raman, M., Jayathagaraj, M. G., Rajavelu, G., and John, M. C. Strongylosis in
captive elephants -- a report. Indian Journal of Animal Health 39[2], 85-86.
2000.
9;Saidul, Islam, Abdul, Mukit, Manoranjan, Das, Islam, S., Mukit, A., and Das,
M. Pathology of concurrent Gastrodiscus secundus and Pseudodiscus collinsi
infection in two captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Journal of
Veterinary Parasitology 13[2], 151-152. 1999.
10:Bhat, M. N. and Manickam, R. Coproculture and demonstration of third stage
larvae of Murshidia sp. in elephants (Elephas maximus). Indian Veterinary
Journal 75[12], 1140-1142. 1998.
11:Matsuo, K., Hayashi, S., and Kamiya, M. Parasitic infections of Sumatran
elephant in the Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia. Japanese Journal of Zoo
and Wildlife Medicine 3[2], 95-100. 1998.
12:Islam, S. Studies on some aspects of fascioliasis in Asian elephants (Elephas
maximus). Journal of Veterinary Parasitology 11[1], 109. 1997.
13:Matsuo, K. and Suprahman, H. Some parasites from Sumatran elephants in
Indonesia. Journal of the Helminthological Society of Washington 64[2], 298-
299. 1997.
14;Watve, M. G. Helminth Parasites of Elephants: Ecological Aspects. Daniel, J.
C. A Week with Elephants; Proceedings of the International Seminar on Asian
Elephants. 289-295. 1995. Bombay, India, Bombay Natural History Society;
Oxford University Press.

15:Singh, K. P., Srivastava, V. K., Prasad, A., and Pandey, A. P. Pathology due to
Fasciola jacksoni in Indian elephants (Elephas indicus). Indian Journal of Animal
Sciences 64[8], 802-804. 1994.
16;Li, C. X., Rong, Y. M., and Xie, Q. P. A study of helminth parasites of
elephants (Elephas maximus). Chinese Journal of Zoology 28[5], 43-44. 1993.
17:Chakraborthy, A. and Chaudhury, B. Pathology of Fasciola jacksoni
infestation in elephants. Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology 16[2], 98-101.
1992.
18:Maske, D. K., Sardey, M. R., and Bhilegaonkar, N. G. Helminth parasites in
zoo animals of Maharaj Bag, Nagpur, Maharashtra State. Indian Journal of
Animal Science 60[8], 952. 1990.
19;Li, C. X., Rong, Y. M., and Lan, J. G. Anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole
against parasites in Indian elephants. Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science and
Technology 9, 42-43. 1988.
20:Eric R. Morgan1,2,6, Blok Shaikenov3, Paul R. Torgerson2,4, Graham F.
Medley1 and E. J. Milner-Gulland5 Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 41(1), 2005, pp.
149-162
Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge our sincere thanks to the officer and technical
staffs of different wild life reserve of Nepal for their cooperation in collection
of faecal samples as well all officers and technical staffs of Central Veterinary
Laboratory Tripureshwor involved in the processing and identification the
parasite spp of this study

S-ar putea să vă placă și