Molluscs Intermediate Hosts of Distomes in Some Natural Cattle Water Points in Ngaoundere
Published: 2020-08-07
Page: 71-77
Issue: 2020 - Volume 3 [Issue 2]
Chahdini Gbambie Abass
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 067 Dschang, Cameroon.
Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Pathology, IRAD of Wakwa, School of Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box 454 Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
Yamssi Cedric
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon.
Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia
Department of Microbiology, Hematology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 96, Dschang, Cameroon.
Moundou Aicha
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box 454 Ngaoundere Cameroon.
Abah Samuel
Medical Entomology and Veterinary Laboratory, Special Mission of Tse-tse Fly Eradication, Regional Delegation of Livestocks, Fishiries and Animal industries, P.O.Box 263, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
Ndjonka Dieudonne
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box 454 Ngaoundere Cameroon.
Mpoame Mbida
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 067 Dschang, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Freshwater gastropod molluscs act as indispensable intermediate hosts in the life cycle of many species of distomes of medical and veterinary interest. The aim of this study was to carry out an inventory of molluscs in natural cattle water points and show their contamination and therefore their role as intermediate host.
Material and Methods: Between October to December 2018, a total of 1631 molluscs were collected in five natural cattle water points: Four lakes (Dang, Bini, Djalingo, Calmet) and one river (Mardock). The cattle water points were chosen based on their accessibility and the presence of vegetation around. Molluscs were collected manually by hand from shallow areas or using a rigid fine mesh net for deep areas. Molluscs were then placed in plastic jar and transported to the laboratory where they were identified.
Results: Four species of molluscs belonging to the subclass Pulmonata were identified. These species were Bulinus forskalii (Morelet, 1866), Bulinus globosus (Morelet, 1866), Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Krauss, 1848) and Lymnaea natalensis (Krauss, 1848) with respective numbers of 244 (18%), 796 (58.4%), 293 (21.5%) and 298 (21.9%). Molluscs were not encountered in all the water points. All the four species of molluscs were collected in lake Dang, Bini and Djalingo. Lake Dang showed great specific richness with the presence of four identified molluscs. In lake Bini two species of molluscs were encountered with a high density of B. pfeifferi. The frequency of infestations with Fasciola gigantica and Paramphistomum daubneyi varied in certain localities according to the species of molluscs present in the cattle water points. The majority of molluscs that were subjected to the cercariae emission test showed their infectious nature by emitting cercariae which were larval forms of the distomes.
Conclusion: It is very important to set up a mechanism for controlling molluscs in farming areas because these animals are the main sources parasites dissemination.
Keywords: Lymnaea natalensis, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus, Bulinus forskalii, distomes, cattle, Ngaoundere