Abstract

A survey of intestinal parasite infection in cattle was conducted in Shaanxi province, northwestern China from November 2010 to January 2012, including Qinchuan cattle and dairy cattle. A total of 1736 fecal specimens (783 and 953 for Qinchuan and dairy cattle, respectively) in 18 farms (including 7 Qinchuan cattle and 11 dairy cattle farms) were obtained. The prevalences of intestinal parasites in Qinchuan cattle were slightly different from that in dairy cattle but with no statistically difference (P>0.05) except nematodes. Coccidian oocysts were the most common intestinal parasite, which were found in all cattle farms with prevalences ranged from 17.44 to 67.69%. The nematode eggs were found in 17 of 18 farms investigated with prevalences ranged from 0 to 43.75%.Cryptosporidium oocysts and the cestode eggs were only found in 10 and 5 farms, respectively. The present study showed that the prevalences of the intestinal parasites were affected by the related factors of geographical region, breed, age, and season. Therefore, the integrated strategies and measures should be taken to control intestinal parasites infection in cattle in Shaanxi province.

Key words: Intestinal parasites, prevalence, Qinchuan cattle, dairy cattle, Shaanxi province.