Gastrointestinal Parasites in Asian and African Elephants: A Systematic Review
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.1.012
- Author:
Qurratul-Saadah, Z.
1
;
Che-Amat, A.
2
;
Syed-Hussain, S.S.
2
;
Kamaludden, J.
3
,
4
;
Ariffin, S.M.Z.
5
;
Basripuzi, N.H.
6
,
7
;
Nor-Azlina, A.A.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
3. Department of Animal Science and Fishery, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia&
4. Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
5. Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
6. Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia&
7. UMK Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Gastrointestinal parasites;
endoparasites;
elephants;
Asian elephants;
African elephant.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.1):55-64
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in elephants have been reported in several studies over the last
decades. Nonetheless, comprehensive data on clinicopathology of elephant GIPs, parasite burden
threshold value, and the effectiveness of conventional anthelmintic drugs are still lacking. Herein, we
have systematically reviewed the available knowledge on elephant GIPs identified among different parts
of the world based on their prevalence, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and control.
Two electronic databases were searched for publications that met the inclusion criteria. About19
English journal articles published between year of 2011- 2021 were included. The main GIPs reported
in elephants were Cyathostomidae (at least 14 species), Ancylostomidae, Haemonchus contortus,
Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Oesophagostomum columbianum, Oesophagostomum aceleatum,
Ascarids, Trichurids, Strongyloides, Anophlocephalidae, flukes, and Coccidia across different parts
of the world, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and
South Africa. Most elephants show no clinical signs until the equilibrium between parasite and host
is disturbed. The common diagnostic methods for GIPs are traditional direct smear, faecal floatation,
sedimentation, and McMaster egg counting technique, all involving morphological identification.
However, some articles described the use of molecular detection to characterise common GIPs of
elephants. Although benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones group of anthelmintic are the most
conventional GIPs treatment and control for captive and semi-captive elephants, there is limited data
on the threshold value of faecal egg count as the baseline for treatment decision. Over the last decades,
various studies regarding elephant GIPs have been conducted. However, more focused and systematic
studies are required to enhance our knowledge in multiple aspects of elephant parasitology to find
effective solutions and improve elephant health.
- Full text:8.2023my1389.pdf
