Prevalence, hematology, and treatment of balantidiasis among donkeys in and around Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract

The prevalence of Balantidium coli among donkeys in Lahore and adjoining areas was surveyed and a trial conducted to determine the efficacy of two antiprotozoal drugs: secnidazole (Dysen Forte) and Kalonji (Nigella sativa). Four-hundred donkeys were examined, and 73 (18.3%) were found positive for Balantidium coli. A slight decrease in PCV and an increase in Hb values of infected donkeys were found after antiprotozoal treatment. Secnidazole was 89.5% effective for the treatment of equine balantidiasis compared to 40.0% for Nigella sativa. This is the first report of balantidiasis in equines from Pakistan. It is not known if balantidiasis is an emerging problem in equines or whether it is a newly reported infection.

• Authors: A Khan, M S Khan, M Avais, M Ijaz, M M Ali, T Abbas
• Journal: Veterinary parasitology (Vet Parasitol) Vol. 196 Issue 1-2 Pg. 203-5 (Sep 01 2013) ISSN: 1873-2550 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 23394797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Plant Extracts
• Metronidazole
• secnidazole

Topics

• Animals
• Antiprotozoal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Balantidiasis (blood, drug therapy, epidemiology, veterinary)
• Equidae
• Female
• Male
• Metronidazole (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Nigella sativa (chemistry)
• Pakistan (epidemiology)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Prevalence