Gastrointestinal Parasites and Relationship with Faecal IgA and Cortisol in Farmed Rabbits in Bamenda, North West, Cameroon

Aim: Parasitic infections represent one of the major causes of death in rabbit’s production system, which affect not only the reproductive performance but also the nutritional and dietary qualities. The objectives of the study were to determine the risk factors and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and its impacts in production of rabbits.

Methodology: Faecal samples were collected from 130 rabbits and were subjected to floatation and McMaster egg counting techniques for the parasitological analysis and faecal IgA and cortisol using ELISA technique. Moreover, questionnaire was used to assess some reproductive issues.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Bamenda, Mezam Division, Northwest region, Cameroon, between April 2022 and July 2022.

Findings: The results of this study showed an overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) of 48.5% (63/130). The different gastrointestinal parasites that were obtained are Coccidia spp (88.89%), Passalurus spp (4.67%) and Trichostrongylus spp (6.35%). Moreover, the results showed that the production system (P=0.04) and feeding system (p = 0.04) increase the risk of GIP in rabbits production. In addition, the association of Passalurus spp with Coccidia spp decrease (P=0.049) the litter size while Coccidia spp increase (P=0.027) the risk of death of litters. Furthermore, co-infection of Passalurus spp and Coccidia spp lowered (p=0.06) the IgA level in animals while cortisol level is increased (p=0.001) in animals having Coccidia (3.065±13.05) compared to uninfected animals (1.03±1.16) as well as in animals co-infected with Trichostrongylus spp and Coccidia spp (26.72±46.14) compared to uninfected (p=0.049).

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasites are still major health problems resulting to death of litters in rabbit’s production in which stress and decrease of immune response may play a key role.