World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

OVERVIEW ON: SCHISTOSOMA INFECTION IN CATTLE

Dr. Tewodros Alemneh Engdaw* and Dr. Alemseged Gebru Abuhay

ABSTRACT

Schistosomosis also known as blood fluke disease is an infection of animals and man due to the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomes are dioecious (unisexual) worms, which are an exception among the trematodes. The species of Schistosoma in animals includes Schistosoma bovis, S. mattheei, S. margrebowiei and S. leiperi. Among these Schistosoma bovis is the common cause of infection in cattle rearing especially in or near to marshy areas. Egg morphology, intermediate host spectra, and definitive host-parasite relationships are the major criteria’s for species identification of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosoma has indirect life cycle and carried through the medium of snail hosts. The intermediate snail hosts play a significant role for the dissemination and transmission of bovine Schistosomiasis. The disease has serious economic impact on the livestock production system. Humans get the infection during the swimmer months; people swim or wade in the lakes, ponds, rivers and even ocean waters frequented by the wild birds and animals. The pathology and clinical signs of Schistosoma bovis are largely attributed to the spined egg causing tissue irritation. S. bovis causes emaciation, marked diarrhea mixed with blood or mucous, dehydration, pallor of mucus membrane, marked weight loss, decreased production and rough hair coat. Praziquentel is successfully recognized as a drug of choice against S. bovis and S. spindale of cattle, and all forms of human Schistosomosis. The prevention and control of Schistosomiasis in endemic areas renders on drainage of marshy and stagnant water bodies, and supply of clean water to prevent contact between the animals and the intermediate hosts. It is finally, concluded that the increasing water conservation and changing methods of husbandry may result in bovine Schistosomosis becoming a major veterinary concern in most parts of the world.

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