Toxocara vitulorum infections in cattle in Kajiado District, Kenya.

摘要

The faeces of calves aged <6 months [number not given] from Kajiado District, Kenya, were examined for eggs of Toxocara vitulorum and the presence of other gastrointestinal parasites. Samples positive for T. vitulorum were encountered in relativelyhumid areas around the Ngong Hills forest and near the Nairobi National Park. Samples obtained from the Namanga region did not reveal any T. vitulorum and this was attributed to drought and a reduced calf population below that considered necessary to maintain environmental contamination. Calves aged about 2.5 months were most commonly affected with egg counts per gram of faeces up to 480 000. Clinical signs of infection were mainly retarded growth and poor body condition. Prevalence rates ranged between6 and 10.7%. The association of buffaloes with the presence of T. vitulorum infection is suggested. Other parasites encountered included were strongyles (3.6-36.2% prevalence), Strongyloides (1.8-4.3% prevalence), Trichuris (2.0-4.5% prevalence), tapeworms (2.0-2.8% prevalence) and coccidia (12.0-33.9% prevalence).