1.Gastrointestinal Parasites in Asian and African Elephants: A Systematic Review
Qurratul-Saadah, Z. ; Che-Amat, A. ; Syed-Hussain, S.S. ; Kamaludden, J. ; Ariffin, S.M.Z. ; Basripuzi, N.H. ; Nor-Azlina, A.A.
Tropical Biomedicine 2023;40(No.1):55-64
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			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. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail