THE PREVALENCE OF CONCURRENT TRYPANOSOME AND GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODE INFECTIONS IN WEST-AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP AND GOATS IN NSUKKA AREA OF EASTERN NIGERIA

The prevalence of concurrent nematode-trypanosome infections in tradit ionally reared West African Dwarf sheep and goats in eastern Nigeria w as monitored over a 12-month period during 1987-1988. The most prevale nt nematodes were Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubrifor mis, which usually occurred together in all nematode infected animals. Their combined prevalence rates ranged from 90 to 100% throughout the year and they accounted for 66 to 98% of the total monthly worm burde ns. Of the 107 animals examined 13.6% were infected with trypanosome s pecies comprising Trypanosoma brucei (50%), Trypanosoma conglense (43% ) and Trypanosoma vivax (36%). No clear seasonal pattern was observed in the prevalence of concurrent nematode-trypanosome infection but owi ng to the widespread prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode infection s, all trypanosome infected animals were invariably infected with H. c ontortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.