Paramphistomes in Matabeleland South Province Zimbabwe and their effect on aspects of blood plasma composition in infected cattle.

This article is published on IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS). It is a study conducted on cattle based in Zimbabwe Matabeleland South Province. It focuses on psramphistome effects on aspects of blood plasma composition in infected cattle.Cattle originating from various localities in Matabeleland South Province were examined for adult Paramphistome prevalence. Of the three thousand 27% were infected with paramphistomes. For identification of paramphistomes, the structures and measurements of diagnostic features were made in median sagittal sections. Analysis of the structures of the acetabulum, pharynx and genital atrium revealed the following parasites in the area: Calicophoron microbothrium, Calicophoron clavula, Calicophoron calicophorum, Calicophoron raja, and Gigantocotyle symmeri in 20 %, 2 %, 5%, 2 % and 2% of cattle examined respectively. The visible damage by adult parasites on the hosts? tissue were as a result of their sucking the reticulum and rumen mucosa into the acetabulum, which eventually nipped off, leading to slightly hardened areas devoid of rugae due to necrosis. In a few severe cases the papillae was damaged and catarrhal pus like exudate was noticed on the mucosa. Fifty coded Nguni cattle aged three years, infected with paramphistomes had their final carcass mass and blood chemistry recorded. Only total protein and cholesterol showed significant difference between the infected and the controls p<0.05. The final carcass mass was significantly different between cattle harboring more than 500 parasites per animal and the controls P