COMPARATIVE SENSITIVITY OF FAECAL AND BILE SAMPLES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER FLUKE INFECTION IN SHEEP AND GOATS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Liver fluke disease (also known as liver rot) is an economically important disease of ruminant's worldwide, causing significant morbidity and grave economic loss. In a study to determine the degree of sensitivity of bile sample and faecal sample to the detection of liver flukes (Fasciola gigantica and Dicrocoelium hospes) infection in sheep and goats slaughtered in Zaria. A total of 200 samples each of gall bladders and faeces were collected from 174 goats and 26 sheep. The contents of the gall bladder and faecal samples were analyzed using sedimentation technique to isolate the eggs of these parasites and possibly the adult stages. The percentage sensitivity for bile and faecal samples were found to be approximately 90% and 63.2% respectively as more of the parasites were isolated from bile than faeces. It was then concluded that compared to examination of faeces, bile analysis is a more reliable method for the diagnoses of liver fluke infection in small ruminants around the study area.