Summary
This cross-sectional study of 686 cattle across 65 households in north-central Nigeria documents high prevalence of Fasciola gigantica (74.9%) and other trematode infections, with notable co-infection patterns. Adult cattle and those from larger herds showed significantly elevated infection risk, whilst FAMACHA© scoring had limited sensitivity (18.2%) for detecting anaemia despite high specificity. The findings underscore the substantial production and public health burden of fasciolosis in Nigerian cattle production systems and identify specific demographic and herd management factors associated with increased infection.
UK applicability
Whilst F. gigantica and some co-infecting species occur in the UK, their prevalence and epidemiology differ substantially from the Nigerian context described here. The study's findings on herd-level risk factors and management associations may offer comparative insights for UK livestock health policy, but direct application of control recommendations would require adaptation to UK climate, pasture ecology and farming practices.
Key measures
Prevalence of F. gigantica (74.9%), paramphistomes (16.1%), Dicrocoelium hospes (7.3%), and Schistosoma bovis (1.2%); faecal egg counts; packed cell volume (PCV); FAMACHA© score; odds ratios for infection by age, herd size and household head age
Outcomes reported
The study measured the prevalence of Fasciola gigantica and other trematode infections in cattle, identified herd-level and individual-level risk factors for infection, and assessed the diagnostic utility of FAMACHA© scoring for detecting anaemia. Faecal and blood samples from 686 cattle in 65 households were analysed using logistic regression to determine associations between infection status and household, herd and animal characteristics.
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