Resumen

QUIJADA, Jessica et al. Prevalence of infections with digestive strongyles in dual purpose bovines in Tucacas area, Falcon state, Venezuela. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2006, vol.24, n.3, pp.347-360. ISSN 0798-7269.

The aim of the present study was to gather epidemiological data in bovine herds of the Carora breed and crossings of Brahman, Holstein and Brown Swiss naturally infected. Animals were set out in four age groups to obtain information about management and anthelmintic control on prevalence and parasitic burdens expressed in eggs per feces gram number (EPG). This study was carried out in four ranches in Falcon state, Venezuela. Between May and November 2002, 190 monthly feces samples were analyzed by McMaster coprological technique. In each ranch, sampling was stratified in four groups according to age, as: 1) Calves: 0 to 6 months old, 2) “Maute”: 7 to 12 months old, 3) Heifers: 13 to 24 moths old and 4) Adults: older than 25 months old. The prevalence values were 37.7% (n=68), 31.1% (n=27), 45.8% (n=32), and 50.4% (n=63) for ranches 1, 2, 3. and 4, respectively. Prevalence and parasitic burdens were assessed. The parasitic burdens (average HPG or abundance) for each age group, respectively, were: Ranch 1 (251.0; 64.5; 47.7; 20.0), Ranch 2 (124.4; 224.4; 63.0; 23.1), Ranch 3 (327.0; 289.0; 13.9; 59.7), Ranch 4 (362.5; 107.0; 32.0; 39.9). Higher parasite loads were only found in ranch 2 in age group 2. Ranch 1 prevalence showed statistical differences when compared to the other ranches. Parasitic burdens were significant among months of sampling, among ranches, among age group and prevalence.

Palabras clave : prevalence; digestive strongyles; strongylida; ruminants.