Prevalence of Gastrothylax CrumeniferPaperback, 26 February 2014

Livestock is an important component of agriculture sector and contributes colossally in the national economy of Pakistan. Among livestock water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is very important because of its high milk yield to meet the protein requirement of the growing Pakistani population. However, gastrointestinal trematodes parasite especially Gastrothylax crumenifer is a main cause for health hazards in buffalo of central Punjab. In this study prevalence and identification of Gastrothylax crumenifer was carried out by visiting local abattoirs of Rawalpindi-Islamabad. A total of 265 rumens and reticulum of buffaloes was examined for the presence of Gastrothylax crumenifer. The trematodes were preserved in 70% alcohol for identification based on its morphological characteristics. The results of present study revealed that 18.8 percent Gastrothylax crumenifer infection was recorded in central Punjab. The correlation between worm burden and area was found to be non-significant (p > 0.05) indicating the presence of trematode in all districts of study area.