title: 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: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Khan
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Khan
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Avais
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ijaz
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Ali
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Abbas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001447:Balantidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018397:Equidae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008795:Metronidazole; C016724:secnidazole
keywords: Balantidium coli; Donkey; Nigella sativa; Prevalence; Secnidazole