Oesophagostomum and Other Strongylid Nematode Infections in Ruminants and Pigs in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Oesophagostomum species are strongylid nematode parasites of monkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, camels and antelopes. Human infections were considered zoonotic. Studies in the north-eastern parts of Ghana suggested that the human infections might be common but focally distributed. Factors determining the focal distribution are not known. The relationship between the human and animal infections is also not known. It is also not known whether the animal infections are focal in distribution. In the present study, two communities known to be endemic to the human infection (Kulbia and Kologo) and two other communities known to be non-endemic to the human infection (Kalbiong and Gbeogo) in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana were selected. Prevalences and intensities of Oesophagostomum infection and other related strongylid nematode infections in ruminants and pigs were determined and compared. Faecal samples from cattle, sheep, goats and pigs were collected, processed by coproculture and examined under the microscope for larvae of the different strongylid nematodes. The results show no significant differences in prevalence of infection between the human endemic and human non endemic communities (P = 1.00) during the rainy season and (P =.134) in the dry season. However, there were significant differences in the intensity of infection between the two types of communities only during the dry season (P = .032). Other strongylid nematodes observed were Necator sp., Strongyloides sp. and Trichostongylus sp.