Intestinal Parasites in the Fecal Samples of Male Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis) in Gorkha, Nepal

Introduction: Buffaloes are one of the most valuable animals for humans. They are an important source of milk and meat around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in the fecal samples of male calves in the Gandaki Rural Municipality, Gorkha, Nepal. Further, it sought to record different GI parasites and review their zoonotic probabilities in humans. Methods: Fresh fecal samples (N=50) from 50 buffalo calves were opportunistically collected and stored at 2.5% potassium dichromate. Then, they were processed via direct mount and acid-fast techniques and observed on a compound microscope. Results: The prevalence rates of 100% intestinal parasites were present, with 11 species of GI parasites. Zoonotically possible species were Cryptosporidium, Balantidium coli, Entamoeba. coli, Ascarid, and Fasciola hepatica. Conclusion: The findings revealed that the male calves were heavily parasitized by diverse intestinal parasitic species, indicating the necessity of quick and effective antiparasitic treatment in the future. In addition, the treatment will be necessary to prevent zoonotic parasites that can impact public health, especially nearby environment and humans.