title: Gastrointestinal parasitism of goats in hilly region of Meghalaya, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in goats of hilly region of Meghalaya.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 834 fecal samples of goats were screened for 1 year (2014-2015) using flotation techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of GI parasitic infections in goats was 28.65%. Season-wise highest infections were recorded during rainy season (34.92%) followed by cool (26.87%), hot (26.62%), and cold (20.39%) seasons. Helminths and protozoa infections were recorded in 63.60% and 23.02% animals, respectively. Among the helminths,Strongylespp. (32.63%) was recorded highest followed byTrichurisspp. (12.55%),Monieziaspp. (10.04%), andTrichurisspp. (8.36%). Among protozoa, onlyEimeriaspp. was detected. Seven different species ofEimeriaspp. were identified, viz.,Eimeria christenseni,Eimeria hirci,Eimeria caprina,Eimeria jolchijevi,Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae,Eimeria arloingi, andEimeria kochariifor the first time from Meghalaya. Maximum egg per gram and oocyst per gram of feces were recorded in the month of August (932.4) and September (674.05), respectively. Mixed infections were recorded in 13.38% samples. Coproculture of goat fecal samples revealed the presence ofHaemonchus contortus(72.16%),Oesophagostomumspp. (14.41%),Strongyloidesspp. (8.91%), andTrichostrongylusspp. (4.50%) larvae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that GI helminths and protozoa infections are prevalent in goats of this hilly region of Meghalaya, throughout the year and highly prevalent during rainy season.
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Health, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam - 793 103, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: Meena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Health, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam - 793 103, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laha
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Health, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam - 793 103, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Health, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam - 793 103, Meghalaya, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goswami
keywords: Meghalaya; gastrointestinal parasites; goat; helminths; protozoa