Epidemiology and Pathology of Ectoparasitic Infestations in Black Bengal Goats in Gaibandha and Mymensingh Districts of Bangladesh

Epidemiology and pathology of ectoparasitic infestations in Black Bengal goats were studied in different areas of Mymensingh and Gaibandha districts, Bangladesh from December, 2006 to November, 2007. A total of 125 Black Bengal goats were examined. Among them 91 (72.8%) were infested with one or more species of ectoparasites. Six species of ectoparasites were identified, of which four species were arachnids, namely Heamaphysalis bispinosa (34.4%), Boophilus microplus (27.2%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (7.2%), and Psoroptes cuniculi (5.6%) and two species belonged to the class Insecta namely Damalinia caprae (20.8%) and Linognathus stenopsis (18.4%). Overall mean parasitic burden was 2.36±1.49 per square inch of affected area. The highest parasitic burden was recorded in case of L. stenopsis (3.93±2.219), followed by D. caprae (3.00±2.424), H. bispinosa (2.32±1.278), P. cuniculi (2.00±1.414), B. microplus (1.59±1.098), and R. sanguinus (1.33±0.516). Significantly (p<0.01) higher prevalence of ectoparasites was recorded in the rainy season (90%), followed by winter (82.61%), and summer (53.06%). The ectoparasitic infestation was higher in case of kids (82%) and older goats (79.55%) than that of young (51.61%) goats. The female goats (77.63%) were more susceptible than male (65.31%) to ectoparasitic infestation. The prevalence of ectoparasites was higher in Mymensingh (87.5%) than that of Gaibandha region (57.38%). In the present study, pathological lesions produced by ectoparasites were also studied. In P. cuniculi infestation, alopecia, rough, dry and leathery skin was found. Microscopically, it was characterized by hyperkeratinization, ulceration, acanthosis and eosinophilic infiltration. In tick infestation, rough, reddened skin and loss of hair were observed. In lice infestation, the skin was red and slightly elevated. The ectoparasites produced pathological lesions on the skin which reduces the value and quality of skin.