| dc.description.abstract | Gastrointestinal parasites are among the most economically important pathogens of small ruminants causing serious economic losses and animal welfare problems for the livestock industry worldwide. Resistance against the different types of anthelmintics especially benzimidazole has led to the emergence of anthelminthic resistant Haemonchus contortus which undermines effective control by farmers worldwide, hence reducing productivity. Sequencing of the partial β-tubulin isotype 1 gene identified the presence of benzimidazole resistance associated single nucleotide polymorphisms of Haemonchus contortus in goats from selected districts of Uganda. A total of 200 goats from 10 districts along the cattle corridor of Uganda that were slaughtered from Kalerwe abattoir were sampled for both Haemonchus contortus adult worms and gastrointestinal parasites using abomasums and fecal samples respectively. Faecal analysis showed that the prevalent gastrointestinal parasites were Coccidia 200(98%), Strongyles 200(97.5%), Strongyloides 200(82%), Monezia 200(46%), Trichuris 200(1%), Paramphistomum 200(74.5%) and Fasciola 200(1.5%). The forty goats analyzed for gastrointestinal parasite burden showed high intensity levels of Coccidia (65%) and Strongyles (67.5%). The prevalence of Haemonchus contortus adult worms was 126 (63%). A total of 18 ITS-2 sequences showed low sequence genetic variation among the H. contortus isolates. Sequencing of the partial β-tubulin isotype 1 gene of 54 Haemonchus contortus adult male isolates showed 17(31.5%) sequences with point mutations of F200Y at 7(41.2%) followed by E198A at 5(29.4%) and E198K at 5(29.4%). There were no heterozygous individuals for any of the SNPS associated with BZ resistance in the beta tubulin isotype 1 gene. This study revealed that Coccidia and Strongyles are the most common gastrointestinal parasites in goat populations in selected districts of Uganda. The study revealed high frequency mutations, with F200Y being the most dominant, E198A and E198K were also reported in Uganda. There is need for further molecular tests that can be done with other parasites isolated and identified in this study so as to understand their level of resistance to benzimidazole. Controlled use of anthelmintics especially benzimidazoles should be emphasized by veterinarians to help in future strategic measures against increasing anthelmintics resistance in the country. | en_US |
