Comparative study of strongyle infections of cattle and buffaloes in Mindanao, the Philippines

Faecal samples were collected from 500 cattle and 385 buffaloes belonging t o backyard farmers from 24 villages in the province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, the Philippines. Strongyle nematode infections were studied on these sample s by faecal egg counts and infective larvae differentiation. The effects of animal species and age on the prevalence and intensity of infections were studied. The overall prevalence of strongyle infection was 53% for cattle a nd 28% for buffaloes. The prevalence decreased with increasing age in both animal species. Faecal egg counts were significantly lower in buffaloes tha n in cattle. Adult animals had lower egg counts than calves. This age effec t was most pronounced in buffaloes. Six genera of strongyle nematodes were identified from the faecal cultures in both animal species, Mecistocirrus, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Bunostomum and Oesophagostomum, The distribution of larvae did not vary much with age. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.