




































 

 

 
21 

© 2017 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

HELMINTHS AND PROTOZOA OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF 
RUMINANTS IN TANZANIA   

 

 

Emmanuel S Swai1 
R Trevor Wilson2+ 

 

1Directorate of Veterinary Services, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania 
2Bartridge Partners, Bartridge House, Umberleigh, UK 
 

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 31 May 2017 
Revised: 12 July 2017 
Accepted: 4 August 2017 
Published: 21 August 2017 
 
 

Keywords 
Nematodes 
Trematodes 
Cestodes 
Coccidia 
Disease resistance. 

 
Tanzania has one of the largest populations of domestic ruminants in Africa.  Their 
performance is less than their potential.  Health, particularly disease due to 
gastrointestinal parasites, is a major constraint to improved productivity.  Internal 
parasites also affect the country’s very diverse and huge array of wild ruminants.  This 
review is based on a thorough search of the formal and informal literature pertaining to 
gastrointestinal parasites of ruminants in Tanzania.  The occurrence and geographical 
distribution of helminth (nematodes, trematodes and cestodes) and protozoan parasites 
are presented.  Cattle, goat and sheep nematodirus (roundworm) infection usually 
comprises mixed infections of several taxa of which 13 species in nine genera have been 
recorded.  A total of seven species of trematodes (flukes) in six genera have been found.  
Some six species of cestodes (flatworms) have been recorded, three being in the genus 
Taenia.  The most prevalent species of protozoan parasites, of which seven have been 
identified in cattle and 18 in sheep and goats, belong to the genus Eimeria: four other 
species of protozoan parasites are also recorded.  A general overview of the 
epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites is provided and the main methods of control 
are discussed. 
 

Contribution/Originality: Domestic ruminants are an important part of the Tanzania economy.  They 

contribute to food security, biodiversity, household income and human welfare.  This paper reviews with the aid of 

74 published references the status and distribution of the main internal parasites of domestic ruminants in 

Tanzania. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Livestock production is a major agricultural activity in Tanzania and provides livelihood support to 1 745 776 

(or 37 per cent) of the 4 901 837 agricultural households in the country [1].  Domestic animals contribute to 

national food supply, convert rangeland resources into products suitable for human consumption, are a source of 

cash income and are an inflation proof store of value.  Livestock production is predicated on a large resource base 

comprising various species, breeds and types and whose ownership and distribution differ from region to region.  

Commercial ranching, pastoralism and agropastoralism are the commonly distinguished systems in the rangeland 

areas.  The first of these systems is very minor (2 per cent of the national cattle stock); the second -- pastoralism in 

which the main roles of livestock are subsistence, a store of wealth and a source of cash income -- is concentrated in 

the northern plains and is practised in traditional grazing areas where climate and soil conditions do not favour 

crop production; the third, agropastoralism comprises a range of combinations of crop cultivation with livestock 

Animal Review 
2017 Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 21-34 
ISSN(e): 2409-6490 
ISSN(p): 2412-3382 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.ar.2017.42.21.34 
© 2017 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.18488/journal.ar.2017.42.21.34&domain=pdf&date_stamp=2017-01-14


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keeping.  There are also many animals in urban and periurban locations. 

Livestock numbers are considered to have increased steadily for many years in line with human population 

growth.  The country’s ruminant livestock wealth in 2007/2008 – the third largest in Africa after Ethiopia and 

Sudan – comprised 21.3 million cattle, 13.1 million goats and 3.6 million sheep of which a massive 99 per cent were 

in the ownership of the traditional sector [1]. The livestock subsector contributes about 30 per cent of Agricultural 

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of which about 40 per cent derives from beef production, 30 per cent from milk and 

30 per cent from small ruminant and poultry production.  In spite of these impressive figures, however, the 

subsector contributes far less than its underlying potential.  Major constraints to improved productivity are related 

to management, nutrition and health.  

Parasitic diseases have major adverse effects on productivity and performance of farm animals worldwide [2, 

3].  They lower production efficiency, result in heavy mortality and are a potential danger to human health.  

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites (including nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes) together with protozoans in 

particular negatively affect animal productivity primarily through impairing nutritional efficiency [4]. 

This review presents information on the presence, epidemiology and control of gastrointestinal helminths and 

protozoans of ruminants reported in Tanzania.  The various options recommended for their control are discussed.  

The studies reviewed in this paper, which is complementary to an earlier paper on pig pathology [5] are of great 

significance in the assessment of the gastrointestinal parasitic fauna of large and small ruminants in Tanzania. 

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

This review focuses on the literature on gastrointestinal parasites of ruminants in Tanzania.  Systematic 

searches were made in electronic and non-electronic databases.  The electronic databases were CAB Abstracts, 

PubMed, Science direct and Web of Science.  Firstly, titles and abstracts of all retrieved articles were searched to 

identify articles that were missed by electronic search.  Secondly, references of all relevant articles were searched to 

identify articles that were missed by electronic search.  Thirdly, all relevant articles were reviewed and pertinent 

information extracted and compiled in a searchable data base.  A relevant article was defined as one that contained 

information on the subject of interest – meaning endo-parasites of large and small ruminants.  Types of documents 

included in the search were research articles, review articles, short surveys, short communications, 

correspondences, letters and book reviews. 

Different search terms were used for different search engines. CAB Abstracts -- (indigenous cattle, goats, sheep* or 

small scale* or large scale*) and (gastro-intestinal* or endo* or parasites*) and (Tanzania*); PubMed – (small scale*or 

large scale*, indigenous cattle* or goats* or sheep*) and (gastro-intestinal * or endo* and (Tanzania*); Science Direct – ( 

small scale* or indigenous cattle*) or (gastro-intestinal*, or endo* and ( Tanzania*).  An iterative process combining 

different key words was used to arrive at the final search terms.  Specific search engines for journals such as 

Livestock Research for Rural Development were used to retrieve information relevant to Tanzania and to other 

areas with similar environmental conditions.  Unpublished records and reports from government and non 

government bodies and dissertations and theses from Sokoine University of Agriculture were retrieved and 

reviewed for additional information. 

 

3. RESULTS 

3.1. Nematodes 

Gastrointestinal nematodes or roundworms exert different pathogenic effects [6].  It is therefore important to 

establish the broad groups that are present in an animal unit, area, country or region.  Knowledge of the different 

development times and stages outside and inside the definitive host is also important for implementation of effective 

control measures.  Most nematodes, often considered as the primary pathogens, are found in the abomasum, with 

those in the intestine playing a lesser but synergistic role.  Parasitic gastroenteritis in Tanzanian cattle, goats and 



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sheep is caused by mixed infections of several nematode species of which 13 species in nine genera have been 

recorded (Table 1). 

 

Table-1. Nematode species infecting large and small ruminants in Tanzania 

Genus and species Host Distribution Reference 

Strongyles  Goat, (pig)  [7, 8] 

Trichuris ovis Goat, sheep Less prevalent [9] 

Oesophagostomum columbianum Goat, sheep, cattle Most prevalent [8-11] 

Oesophagostomum. radiatum Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy; 
slaughter cattle, sheep, 
goat 

Most prevalent; Iringa, 
Mwanza, Morogoro 

[8, 12-14] 

Bunostomum trigonocephalum Dairy goat, sheep Most prevalent; 
Morogoro 

[9-11] 

Strongyloides papillosus Dairy goat Most prevalent; 
Morogoro 

[9, 11] 

Cooperia pectinata Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy; dairy 
goat 

Prevalent; Iringa, 
Morogoro 

[11, 12] 

Cooperia punctata Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy; dairy 
goat 

Prevalent; Iringa, 
Morogoro 

[11, 12] 

Trichostrongylus colubriformis Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy; dairy 
goat 

Prevalent; Iringa, 
Morogoro 

[12] 

Haemonchus contortus Sheep, goat Intensive and extensive 
systems; slaughter stock 

[8-11]; [15-
17] 

Haemonchus placei Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy cattle, 
sheep, goat 

Most prevalent [12] 

Haemonchus similis Traditional, small and 
large scale dairy, sheep, 
goat 

Prevalent [12] 

Dictyocaulus. viviparus Cattle All highland areas [18] 

 

Nematode infections in cattle in Tanzania have been reported in the formal literature by various authors [12, 

15, 19-25] and there are many unpublished records from the national State Central Veterinary Laboratory at 

Temeke, Tanzania.  The most important and widely prevalent nematodes belong to the Family Trichostrongylidae 

comprising the genera Cooperia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Ostertagia and to the Family Chabertiidae 

comprising the single genus Oesophagostomum.  The genera Bunostomum (Ancylostomatidae), Nematodirus 

(Trychostrongylidae), Strongyloides (Strongyloididae), Toxocara (Toxocaridae) and Trichuris (Trichuridae) are of 

lesser frequency [20, 21].  Dictyocaulus viviparus (Dictyocaulidae), a nematode of the trachea and larger bronchi is 

responsible for parasitic bronchitis in cattle and has been recorded from Iringa District in the Southern Highlands 

and Lushoto District in the northeast of the country [18].  Most of the foregoing genera including Trichostrongylus, 

Oesophagostomum, Strongyloides, Bunostomum, Ostertagia and Toxocara have been shown to be present at various levels 

of prevalence in wild African buffalo Syncerus caffer in Ngorongoro and Arusha National Parks [26].  The nematode 

genera found in Tanzania have been reported in previous studies in neighbouring countries including Haemonchus, 

Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum in small ruminants in Kenya [27, 28]. 

 

3.1.1. Cooperia Spp 

Cooperia spatulata is the most common species in cattle in the tropics [29] but it is unexpectedly absent in 

Tanzania [12, 30].  Cooperia pectinata and C. punctata are usually less prevalent but they have been found in cattle in 

the lower areas of the Southern Highlands and in the Eastern Region at Morogoro [11, 12]: although they occur in 



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the small intestines of a wide range of ruminant species world-wide they seem to be more important in cattle.  

Unless infected by massive doses (300 000 L3 or more during a 10-day period) clinical signs are seldom seen.  In 

severe infestations there is a fluid foetid diarrhoea, selective anorexia, bottle jaw and eventually death which results 

from starvation, dehydration and exhaustion [4].  There are no documented reports of any Cooperia spp. in sheep 

and goats in Tanzania. 

 

3.1.2. Haemonchus Spp 

The most prevalent of the three Haemonchus species found in Tanzania is H. placei which has been recorded in 

the lower areas of the Southern Highlands and in the Eastern Region [12].  Both H. placei and H. similis are more 

adapted to cattle whereas H. contortus is more adapted to sheep and goats [31].  The heaviest burdens in Tanzania 

occur at the end of the rainy and the beginning of the dry season whereas the lowest burdens are seen at the end of 

the dry and at the beginning of the rainy season [12].  Worm burdens are more pronounced in immature (<3 years) 

than mature animals.  H. contortus is widely distributed in Tanzania and is reported in sheep and goats from Mtwara 

Region in the south, Mwanza and Kigoma Regions in the west, Morogoro and Coast Regions in the east, Dodoma 

Region in the centre and Arusha and Kilimanjaro Regions in the north [8, 10, 11, 13-30, 32].  Cross-infection of H. 

contortus between cattle, goats and sheep has not been investigated in Tanzania although studies from other 

countries have shown cross-infection between domestic stock and wildlife [33]. 

 

3.1.3. Trichostrongylus Spp 

The most frequent species is Trichostrongylus colubriformis but there are some reports of T. axei [12].  T. 

colubriformis is a parasite of sheep and its presence in cattle is likely to be due to cross-infection [29].  With the 

exception of T. axei, however, this genus is not considered to be important in cattle [29].  T. colubriformis was the 

predominant species in traditionally managed cattle in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania but the genus is also 

prevalent in dairy goats and their crosses reared in intensive and semi-intensive systems in Tanzania [11].  

Trichostrongylus spp. have also been recorded in African buffalo in Ngorongoro and Arusha National Parks [26].  T. 

colubriformis, with a direct life cycle and a developmental period of 18-20 days, tends to occur in the first 7 metres of 

the small intestine and is found less often in the abomasum.  Manifestation of infestation occurs from acute (rarely 

seen) to chronic (when 100 000 larvae are ingested) forms.  In acute cases the pain caused by the parasite results in 

anorexia, closure of the pyloric sphincter and retention of food in the abomasum and rumen.  Sheep become listless, 

signs of sub-mandibular oedema develop and there is yellow foetid diarrhoea followed by death 16-17 days after 

infection. 

 

3.1.4. Oesophagostomum Radiatum 

Oesophagostomum radiatum, the nodular worm of cattle, occurs in the colon.  It is distributed world-wide from 

temperate to tropical climes.  It is reported in traditional herds in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands which has a 

relatively cool climate [12] but does not occur in arid, non-seasonal rainfall areas.  The direct life cycle has a 

developmental period of 32-34 days.  Wet, warm weather, overgrazed rangelands and unhygienic pens are risk 

factors for calves which are the main class of stock affected.  Clinical signs of affected animals are pain, anorexia, 

loss of body mass, hypoproteinaemia, anaemia and diarrhoea that is often foetid and blood-stained.  Cattle 

constantly exposed tend to develop a strong immunity from 8-12 months of age.  Studies in the higher rainfall areas 

of the Southern Highlands around Iringa showed low numbers of Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichuris globulosa 

[12]. This contrasts with Bunostomum trigonocephalum which was found to be prevalent with occurrence being 

relatively high in goats and sheep [9]. 

 

 



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3.1.5. Strongyloididae and Trichuridae 

Documented species in the families Strongyloididae and Trichuridae in Tanzania are Strongyloides papillosus and 

Trichuris ovis.  S. papillosus is reported in goats in extensive and semi-intensive production systems around 

Morogoro [9, 11] with kids being more susceptible than adults. The source of infection for very young kids is the 

reservoir of larvae in the tissues of their dams.  Adult worms cause anorexia, diarrhoea or constipation, sunken eyes 

with a purulent discharge, a frothy mucous discharge from the nose, muscular atrophy and paresis just before death.  

Warm moist weather favours worm development and survival and allows the accumulation of large numbers of 

infective larvae.  Trichuris ovis which is commonly found in the caecum and colon is less prevalent but has been 

detected in Tanzanian goats [9].  T. ovis eggs are resistant to desiccation and survive in a temperature range of –

20° C to 50° C.  The larval stages cause haemorrhages and local oedema when they penetrate the intestinal wall and 

these injuries can result in secondary bacterial infection. The adult worms are not pathogenic unless present in 

large numbers when they may cause abdominal pains, mucoid diarrhoea, anaemia, loss of body mass and, rarely, 

death. 

 

3.2. Trematodes 

There are an estimated 18 000 to 24 000 species of trematodes or flukes in the world.  These include Fasciola 

hepatica, F. gigantica and species of Dicrocoelium, Schistosoma and Paramphistomum among others (Table 2).  The 

most significant trematodes from a clinical point of view are the blood flukes, Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum and 

S. hematobium.  Other trematodes of significance are the intestinal fluke Fasciolopsis buski, liver fluke Clonorchis 

sinensis and lung fluke Paragonimus westermani.  Trematodes often live in the bile ducts or small intestine and may 

also affect the lungs.  Some are ingested but some burrow into the skin to gain access to their host [18]. Their eggs 

are passed with the faeces of the host.  Trematodes usually require an intermediate host in their life cycle with 

vertebrates being the definitive host.  Larval stages may occur in either invertebrate or vertebrate hosts [34, 35]. 

 

Table-2. Trematode species infecting large and small ruminants in Tanzania 

Genus and species Host Distribution Reference 

Fasciola gigantica Cattle, goat Country wide, Mwanza, Arusha [7, 8, 19, 23, 24, 36-39] 

Fasciola hepatica Cattle  [35] 

Paramphistomum species Cattle, goat Iringa, Mwanza, Arusha [7, 23, 40]  

Schistosoma bovis Cattle Iringa/Meru [20, 39, 41]  

Dicrocoelium hospes Cattle Iringa [40] 

Calicophoron microbothrium Cattle Iringa [22] 

Cotylophoron jacksoni Cattle Iringa [22] 

 

Symptoms of trematode infestation include watery diarrhoea, weakness, weight loss, decreased milk production, 

reduced product quality, mortality and secondary infections [2].  Fasciolosis is now recognized as an emerging 

human disease [42]. 

Trematode infections of cattle and small ruminants in Tanzania are widespread and severe.  They cause 

significant economic losses due to reduction in production efficiency by 5 per cent in mild infestations to 10 per cent 

in more severe ones and in weight loss and abattoir condemnations [21, 41, 43-48].  The most prevalent species in 

Tanzania are Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica [35, 39, 41]. Several researchers using slaughterhouse surveys have 

studied the infection rates of trematodes in domestic animals [19, 36, 38, 48].  Slaughter house surveys carried out 

from 1965-1984 covering different eco-climatic regions in the Lake Zone (Mwanza), Northern Zone (Arusha), the 

Southern Highlands (Iringa and Mbeya) and the Usambara Mountains (Lushoto) showed variable rates of 

infestation ranging from 6.5-71.0 per cent in cattle, 8-26 per cent in sheep and 12-23 per cent in goats [49, 50]. The 

stomach flukes Calicophoron microbothrium and Cotylophoron jacksoni have been reported from Iringa [22].  Other 

trematode parasites include Schistosoma bovis from Iringa and Meru [20, 39, 41, 51] amphistomes [37] 



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Paramphistomum species and Dicrocoelium hospes in Iringa [40]. Trematodes reported in African buffalo include 

Fasciola, Paramphistomum, Gastrothylax, Ornithobilharzia and Fischoederius [26]. 

 

3.3. Cestodes 

Cestodes or tapeworms (also sometimes known as flatworms) that mature and live in the gut are acquired by 

ingesting contaminated food or water and have major negative effects on the health and well-being of the animal.  

These tapeworms have an indirect life cycle and require pasture mites to complete it.  Eggs and larvae are often 

excreted in the faeces and live in the soil [52].  In almost all cases there are separate sexes with sexual reproduction 

occurring in the definitive host in parasitic species. The most common symptoms are gastrointestinal but cestodes 

may also cause allergic reactions, lung and heart symptoms.  Large clumps of worms cause intestinal blockage 

followed by distention and abdominal pains similar to food poisoning.  This group (Table 3) includes species of the 

cosmopolitan Moniezia and Stilesia [8, 19] which are commonly found in ruminants [29]. 

 

Table-3. Cestode species infecting large and small ruminants in Tanzania 

Genus and species Host Distribution Reference 

Moniezia expansa Goat, sheep Less prevalent; Morogoro [9, 14] 

Stilesia hepatica Cattle, sheep, goat Country wide, slaughter stock; 
Mwanza, Arusha 

[8, 24, 38] 

Echinococcus granulosus Cattle, sheep, goat 
slaughter stock 

Most prevalent; Mwanza, Mbeya, 
Ngorongoro 

[8, 53, 54] 

Taenia multiceps (Coenurus 
cerebralist)a 

Sheep, goat Wildlife/livestock interface area 
(Arusha) 

[55] 

Taenia hydatigenea 
(Cysticercus tenuicollis) 

 Sheep, goat Most prevalent, slaughter stock; 
Mbeya, Arusha, Dodoma 

[8, 24, 25, 38] 

Taenia ovis (Cysticercus 
ovis) 

Sheep Prevalent [8] 

 Note: a) names in brackets refer to metacestode stage, commonly known as hydatid cysts 

 

The presence of other cestodes such as Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia multiceps (whose metacestode stage is 

Coenorus cerebralis) and Taenia hydatigena (metacestode, Cysticercus tenuicollis) and Taenia ovis (metacestode C. ovis) in 

tissues or organs leads to them being condemned as unfit for human consumption.  The migration of C. cerabralis 

through the brain can cause meningo-encephalitis and the presence of many hydatid cysts in the lungs may be 

associated with respiratory problems.  C. cerebralis was found to be the most prevalent metacestode in the livestock-

wildlife interface ecosystem of Ngorongoro and Serengeti [55].  Lack of knowledge in the community on how 

coenurosis occurs, free access of dogs to carcasses and offal of small ruminants and inadequate animal health 

services for dogs especially worm control were speculated to be major factors in the continuance of coenurosis [55] 

. The prevalence of echinococcosis (hydatidosis) reported in Ngorongoro District in cattle was 48.7 per cent, for 

goats was 34.7 per cent and for sheep was 63.8 per cent [53].  In an earlier study in a Masai community in northern 

Tanzania a prevalence of 1.4 per cent was found [56].  Recent postmortem slaughter slab surveys in Mbeya Region 

indicated prevalences of41.7 per cent in goats and 51.9 per cent in sheep [54]. 

 

3.4. Protozoa 

3.4.1. Eimeria spp 

Eimeria species are single-cell protozoa that cause coccidiosis in animals and damage the lining of the small 

intestine.  Species are host-specific.  Transmission of coccidiosis is facilitated by warm and wet environmental 

conditions.  Research has shown that cattle, sheep and goats in intensive grazing areas and feedlots are at greatest 

risk [57].  Stress from weaning often induces outbreaks of coccidiosis.  Clinical signs include diarrhoea (sometimes 

containing blood or mucous), dehydration, fever, weight loss, inappetance, anaemia, and death.  Research in various 



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agroecological zones of Tanzania has demonstrated the presence of at least seven species of Eimeria in cattle [14, 

58] and 18 species in sheep and goats [59] (Table 4).  The most prevalent species in cattle are Eimeria zuernii and 

E. bovis whereas in goats and sheep the main species is E. arloingi.  The presence of pathogenic species including E. 

alijevi, E. arloingi, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. christenseni in goats E. ovinoidalis and E. ahsata in sheep is a clear 

indication that coccidiosis is a major contributor to the enteric syndromes affecting small ruminants in Tanzania 

[59, 60]. 

 

3.4.2. Protozoan Species Other Than Eimeria 

Other protozoan species found in ruminants in Tanzania include species of Cryptosporidium, Giardia [30, 59-61] 

Balantidium and Entamoebae [7]. 

Cryptosporidium oocysts are often detected in animals suffering or not from diarrhoea.  Bovine faecal samples 

screened in villages in Dodoma Rural and Bagamoyo Districts showed 0.5 per cent infection with Cryptosporidium 

parvum in 942 cattle examined in three villages in Dodoma and 1.5 per cent of 202 cattle infected with Giardia 

lamblia in one village in Bagamoyo [61].  Other studies in the highland and semiarid areas of Iringa, Morogoro, 

Dodoma and coastal Tanga have shown varied levels of prevalence of Cryptosporidium in both dairy and traditional 

cattle [63-67].  In all these studies young stock were more affected than adults.  These results highlight the 

possible public health risks associated with the keeping of livestock and the shared use of water sources by humans 

and animals.  Other Cryptosporidium spp oocysts have been reported in wildlife including African buffalo, zebra and 

wildebeest [64]. The ciliate protozoa Balantidium coli was detected in slaughtered small ruminants in Mwanza 

[68].  The parasite lives in the caecum and colon of goats and sheep where it is asymptomatic.  It is, however, 

associated with the zoonotic disease balantidiasis which is acquired by people via the faeco-oral route from the 

normal goat or sheep host.  The parasite is not readily transmissible from one species to another because it requires 

a period of time to adjust to the symbiotic flora of the new host. Frequently existing as commensal parasite in pigs, 

Entamoebae coli has been reported in slaughtered goats and sheep in Mwanza [68].  Its pathogenic role in Tanzania 

is not clearly known. 

 

4. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTIONS 

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites is influenced by predisposing factors.  These include those 

related to the host and to the parasite, climate, management system, pasture management, grazing habits, 

nutritional status, immunological status, vector, presence of intermediate host and the number of infective larvae 

and eggs in the environment [4].  Cestodes have indirect life cycles, the intermediate hosts being soil-inhabiting 

oribatid mites [69].  Birds may also be involved in the dissemination of tapeworm eggs. The effect of helminth 

infections is determined by a combination of factors, of which the varying susceptibility of the host species, the 

pathogenicity of the parasite species, the host/parasite interaction, and the infective dose are the most important 

[4]. 

 

4.1. Host Factors 

Age, breed, nutrition, physiological status and presence or absence of intercurrent infection are known to 

influence the rate and severity of infection.  The number of infective stages present in the host environment at any 

time is related to the number of worm eggs excreted.  This largely determines the number of parasites potentially 

capable of being established in a susceptible host [70].  Calves, kids and lambs are relatively more susceptible than 

mature stock.  Some breeds, such as the Galla and Small East African goats [71] and the Red Masai sheep [72] are 

known to have greater resistant to Haemonchus contortus than other types.  Poor nutrition, hormonal change during 

late pregnancy and lactation lower the resistance of the host to nematodes and consequently result in the 

establishment of higher worm burdens. 



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Table-4. Protozoan species infecting large and small ruminants in Tanzania 

Genus Host Distribution Reference 

Eimeria zuernii Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle  

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria bovis Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria ellipsoidalis Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria cylindrica Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria aubernensis Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria alabamensis Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide [58] 

Eimeria subspherica Large and small scale 
dairy, cattle 

Country wide,  [58] 

Eimeria arloingi Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat, sheep 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[14, 59, 60, 
62] 

Eimeria alijavi Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59, 60, 62] 

Eimeria ninkohlyakimovae Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59, 60] 

Eimeria christenseni Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat, sheep 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[14, 59, 60] 

Eimeria caprovina Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59, 60] 

Eimeria hirci Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59, 60] 

Eimeria pallida Small scale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[60] 

Eimeria caprina Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat, sheep 

Morogoro [14, 59] 

Eimeria crandallis Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat 

Morogoro [59] 

Eimeria parva Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat, sheep 

Morogoro [14, 59] 

Eimeria ovinoidalis Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat, sheep 

Morogoro [14, 59] 

Eimeria bakuensis Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat 

Morogoro [59] 

Eimeria faurei Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat 

Morogoro [59] 

Eimeria ahsata Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat 

Morogoro [59] 

Eimeria granulosa Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat, sheep 

Morogoro [59] 

Eimeria marsica Smallscale traditional, 
dairy goat, sheep 

Morogoro [14] 

Eimeria jolchijevi Smallscale dairy, dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59] 

Eimeria aspheronika Smallscale dairy; dairy 
goat 

Tropical highland and semiarid 
areas of Morogoro 

[59] 

Cryptosporidium parvum Extensive traditional 
cattle, dairy; wildlife 
(zebra, buffalo, wildebeest) 

Central and coastal Tanzania and 
Southern Highlands  

[61, 63-67] 

Giardia lamblia Extensive traditional 
cattle 

Central and coastal Tanzania [61] 

Balantidium coli Goat Urban Mwanza [68] 

Entamoebae coli Goat Urban Mwanza [68] 

 



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4.2 Parasite factors 

The factors that determine the rate of establishment and size of the nematode burden in the host are the 

fecundity of the adult worms, the pre-patent period and the survival and development rate of the parasite in the 

environment. 

 

4.3 Climate factors 

Most studies on gastrointestinal nematode ecology in cattle have concluded that climatic conditions are 

extremely important in the survival and transmission of parasite eggs and larvae [73]. Epidemiological studies in 

Tanzania showed seasonal differences with respect to helminth infections.  Liver fluke transmission is dependent on 

the presence of its snail intermediate host so distribution of the parasite is limited to geographic areas where the 

appropriate snail species is present [39]. A high prevalence of fasciolosis has been shown towards the end of the dry 

season and the early part of the rainy season [21, 41].  This seasonality is in agreement with other investigators 

who suggested that heavy mortality as a result of fasciolosis occurred during the dry season [49, 51]. Cattle 

grazing in irrigation areas are most susceptible to infection [39]. 

Temperature influences the development of nematode larvae: the optimal temperature for development of most 

trichostrongylid larvae is 22-30  C.  Some trichstrongylid larvae such as T. colubriformis and O. columbianum are 

known to be resistant to desiccation, an ability that enables them to survive under extremely low or high 

temperatures [27, 28].  Temperature and moisture are the main environmental variables that determine survival 

and development of coccidial oocyst to the infective stage. 

 

4.4. Management Factors 

Management systems also influence egg developments and the free living stages of helminth larvae.  Heavy 

stocking densities increase the contamination of the environment with nematode eggs or larvae and thus render the 

infective stages more accessible to susceptible animals.  Concentration of animals at watering points, particularly 

during the dry season may result in massive contamination of pastures with eggs or larvae leading to outbreaks of 

parasitic gastroenteritis.  Tethering of goats and sheep during the wet season, which is common in many 

agropastoral parts of the country, is reported to result in increased environmental contamination with infective 

larvae and the incidence of clinical disease [59, 61].  Anthelmintic treatment may reduce the worm load but 

indiscriminate use of helminthic preparations of unproven quality and undefined doses may result in development of 

resistant strains of nematodes – a problem of increasing importance in Tanzania [10]. 

Over stocking and poor hygiene favour rapid transmission and build-up of coccidial infections whereas stress 

factors, confinement, weaning, inclement weather and inter-current disease precipitate the occurrence of clinical 

disease.  Animals acquire Cryptosporidium infection by ingestion of contaminated feed and water. 

 

5. CONTROL OF INFECTIONS 

Effective control of gastrointestinal parasite infections is dependent on a comprehensive understanding of the 

epidemiology of the disease in both the host and the environment [73].  Control should be designed to, at best, 

eliminate or, at worst, reduce the prevalence of the parasites.  Eradication of helminth diseases is not, however, a 

simple matter and it is important to make a correct assessment of the costs and the associated benefits of any 

control method.  Control by the use of anthelmintics depends to a large extent on their proven quality under field 

conditions, the frequency of treatment and the correct dosage.  It should be determined by the epidemiology and 

biology of the dominant parasite, the stocking rates of the particular area and the benefit accrued from the adopted 

control regime. 

Control through management should aim at reducing the contact of susceptible animals with infective larvae. 

Control of helminth diseases by good management is likely to be more sustainable than the use of anthelmintics.  



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30 

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This method may be the most practical one in smallholder production systems when drugs are expensive (and in 

many cases may be of dubious efficacy).  Rotational grazing, separation of animals according to age group, alternate 

grazing by different host species, adjusting stocking rates, improved nutrition and better housing systems are the 

common management practices employed as control measures against helminthosis in most countries. 

Control by breeding resistant stocks and control by immunization has been applied in some countries although 

progress has been slow and variable although there are some encouraging prospects.  In general, however, the ideal 

approach towards effective control of helminths is the integration of several methods because each method has its 

own advantages and disadvantages [4, 74]. 

 

Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 
Contributors/Acknowledgement: Both authors have undertaken fieldwork in Tanzania, contributed to the 
literature view and worked together on a first draft of the paper.  The second author was responsible for 
final editing of this version of the paper for technical content, presentation and language.  Both authors 
agree to the presentation of the paper. 

 

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