ABSTRACT

Schistosome, a trematode, belonging to the genus Schistosoma under the family Schistosomatidae are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, a disease of considerable medical and veterinary importance in tropical and subtropical regions and a common parasitic infection in Africa and Asia. It is estimated that at least 165 million cattle are infected with schistosomes worldwide causing serious socio-economic and health damages. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence and diversity of Schistosoma species in cattle slaughtered in the government abattoir, Ikpoba hill, Benin City, Edo state cattle from June to September 2019. No research work has been carried out with regards to prevalence and diversity of schistosoma species present in and around Benin City. A total of 300 samples were collected and examined for schistosomeeggs. The formol-detergent field concentration technique was used to analyze the specimens. Schistosoma intercalatum and three other unidentified species of schistosomewere found. An overall prevalence of 44.3% (133/300) was obtained in this study. Highest occurring schistosome species was Schistosoma species 1with prevalence of 36% (108/300) while least common Schistosoma species was Schistosoma intercalatum with prevalence of 2.0% (10/300). The study provides a baseline data on the prevalence and diversity of Schistosoma species in cattle in the study area. A further expanded study that may cover the entire state as well as improvement in the level of sanitation in the abattoir as a control measures was recommended.