Prevalence and hematological parameters of Fasciola gigantica-infected cattle in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and hematological parameters of Fasciola gigantica-infected cattle in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria, was carried out between March and May, 2008. Blood samples were collected immediately after slaughter into labeled sample bottles containing EDTA. Characteristics of each slaughtered cattle such as sex and breed were noted. Postmortem examination of the liver, bile ducts, and gall bladder were carried out. Standard techniques were used to determine the packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and hemoglobin concentration (HbC) while mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated appropriately using standard formulae. A total of 200 cattle were examined at postmortem with 23.5% prevalence (95% CI = 0.181–0.299). Fifteen percent (95% CI = 0.107–0.206) of the infected cattle were males while 8.5% (95% CI = 0.054–0.132) were females. White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali, and Red Bororo breeds recorded 20.5% (95% CI = 0.155–0.266), 3% (95% CI = 0.014–0.064), and 0% (95% CI = 0.000–0.019) prevalence respectively. However, no significant association (P ˃ 0.05) exists between Fasciola infections and the breed and sex of sampled animals. The mean PCV, HbC, RBC, and WBC values of the infected cattle were significantly low (P < 0.05) when compared to the uninfected cattle. Public enlightenment on the zoonotic importance of Fasciola gigantica and periodic anthelmintic intervention is hereby recommended.