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This study examined Ghanaian veterinary and medical students' knowledge and perception of zoonoses' public health impact. This cross-sectional survey utilised online structured questionnaires which were completed by 384 students (174 veterinary and 210 medical students) from 4 Ghanaian state universities. SPSS version 25 was used to analyse the data obtained using mean scores, Pearson Chi-square, and regression analysis. The study found that 78.6% of medical and veterinary students in Ghana have decent understanding of zoonoses, with a mean response of 4.88 ± 1.049. Veterinary students (42.9%) knew more about zoonosis than medical students (35.7%). 83.6% of medical and veterinary students had a strong opinion of the public health importance of zoonoses, with a mean of 3.99 ± 1.017. Medical students (45.8%) had a higher view of zoonosis than veterinary students (37.8%). Students' awareness of zoonosis was not substantially associated to religion (P=0.694) or institution (P=0.06), but was significantly related to gender (P=0.044), school (P=0.031), and year of study (P=0.004). Students' perceptions of zoonoses' public health significance were not significantly related to gender, religion, institution, or school (P>0.05), but were significantly related to their year of study (P<0.001). Ghanaian medical and veterinary students had strong awareness and perceived public health importance of zoonoses, especially the clinical students. In view of these findings, policy debate is needed to evaluate medical and veterinary pre-clinical education to include the teaching of zoonoses. To understand their role in zoonoses control, medical, veterinary, animal, and environmental science students should be encouraged to attend workshops that focus on zoonoses and their control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumonia has been identified as one of the limiting factors to pig production. Some of the pneumonia-inducing agents include Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHYO), the primary cause of enzootic pneumonia and Metastrongylus species. which are widely distributed lungworms commonly found in indigenous free-range pigs. This paper describes the pathological findings of 6 cases out of 204 lungs randomly collected from slaughtered pigs in Southwest Nigeria. Samples of the lungs were collected from the cases for bacterial culture, histopathology and detection of MHYO antigens using immunohistochemisty. Gross lesions were severe acute lobular bronchopneumonia (104/204, 50.98%) and greyish discrete nodules in the lungs. Microscopically, there were varying degrees of lymphoid hyperplasia of bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) (82.2%), suppurative bronchiolitis with widespread bronchiolar epithelial cells necrosis (57.4%) and granulomatous bronchopneumonia with presence of Metastrongylus spp. and bronchiolar intraluminal cellular exudate consisting predominantly of eosinophils (2.9%). Pasteurella multocida was the most isolated bacterial pathogen (49.0%) either as a single pathogen or in combination with other pathogens from the infected lung samples. Immunohistochemical labelling showed strong MHYO antigens on the surface of bronchial epithelial cells in infected lungs (86/204). This is the first report of granulomatous bronchopneumonia due to Metastrongylus spp. associated with a coinfection of MHYO and Pasteurella multocida in Nigerian indigenous pigs. It is suggested that metastrongylosis may be more common than reported in this study. The detection of respiratory pathogens such as Mycoplasma. hyopneumoniae, Metasrongylus spp. and Pasteurella multocida suggest that they are potential contributors to bronchopneumonia observed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An active cross-sectional abattoir study was conducted to assess the prevalence, types and associated factors of liver lesions in sheep and goat at the Suame Abattoir in Kumasi- Ghana. A total prevalence rate of 13.2% liver lesions was recorded with a 7.3% and 5.9% prevalence rate in sheep and goats respectively. Liver abscess was recorded in 80.71% pathologic liver samples followed by liver fibrosis (5.71%), calcified cysts (2.86%), liver putrefaction (2.14%), liver cirrhosis (2.14%), melanosis (2.14%), hydatid cyst (1.42%) and fatty infiltration (1.42%), hepatitis (0.71%) and liver with urate deposits (gout) (0.71%). More liver lesions were found in the West African Dwarf Sheep (WADS) (54.5%) as compared to the Sahelian breed (45.5%) of sheep. The West African Dwarf Goat (WADG) had a higher occurrence (76.2%) of liver lesions than the Sahelian (23.8%). Female sheep and goats had higher occurrences of liver lesions as compared to the male. The adult (> 2 years) sheep and goats had more liver lesions compared to the young (< 2 years). Sheep and goats with good body condition score recorded higher liver pathologies with more recorded in the dry season. The differences in occurrence of liver lesions with respect to species of small ruminant was statistically significant (p < 0.05) whilst that of breed, sex, age and season of occurrence were not significantly different (p >0.05). Good animal husbandry practices should be employed to lower the incidence of liver pathologies in small ruminants. Expert policies to trace back to towns of origin of small ruminants that present with liver diseases should be put in place by the abattoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The haematological parameters of giant African catfish exposed to different anaesthetic agents, such as lidocaine, clove oil, and ice, and the control with no exposure were examined. Methods: Ten fish each from the control and treatment groups had their blood drawn and the samples were examined immediately for haematological parameters. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare each of the parameters among the treatment groups and the control. Results: The highest red blood cell (RBC), Haemoglobin, and parked cell volume (PCV) were observed in the control and they were different significantly (P<0.05) from the fish exposed to clove oil. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control than in all the treatment groups. The highest heterophil was observed in the fish exposed to ice and it was different significantly (P<0.05) from the control treatment. Platelet was significantly higher in the control and lidocaine treatments than in clove oil. The least heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) was also observed in the control and it was different significantly (P<0.05) from fish ice treatment. The PLR of lidocaine and ice treatments were higher significantly (P<0.05) than the control, while that of clove oil was much lower than the control. Significance: The findings from the research showed that all the anaesthetics experimented with had considerable negative impacts on the fish's haematological parameters, with clove oil tending to be the worst. Hence, extra care is required in using any of these treatments on fish, and the recommended dosages must be followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peste des petit ruminants virus (PPRv) and Mannheimia haemolytica have been commonly implicated in naturally occurring pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa and account for huge economic losses as they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The Nigerian 75/1 PPR vaccine has been proven to be efficacious in the control of PPR. However, there is a paucity of information on the ability of this live attenuated vaccine to modulate bacteria of the nasal flora to control or confer protection against secondary bacterial infection induced especially by M. haemolytica. Nasal swabs and blood samples were collected for bacterial count and serology respectively. This study describes the effect of the N/75/1 PPR vaccine on the nasal bacteria flora and clinical indices of Red Sokoto goats. Ten (10) Red Sokoto goats were divided into two groups of five animals each. In one group, 1ml of PPR vaccine (2.5 TCID50) was administered subcutaneously while the other group served as control and 1ml of normal saline was administered subcutaneously. The results showed that for the PPR vaccinated group, although there was a significant decrease (p=0.05) in nasal bacteria counts for Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Escherichia coli compared to the control group it was not sufficient to clear out these potentially pathogenic bacteria from the nasal flora. Also, in the PPR-vaccinated group, the only clinical symptom observed was a mild transient and self-limiting hyperthermia at about 2 weeks post-vaccination which may be attributed to the initiation and enhancement of immune responses. Hence, it can be deduced that the PPR vaccine may moderately inhibit the colonization of certain pathogenic bacteria of the nasal microbial flora but however, it is incapable of conferring total immunity against the secondary bacterial infection in naturally occurring pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of haemoparasites in horses and their effects on the blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from June to July 2021. A total of 26 horses were sampled. Three millilitres (3mls) of blood samples were collected from each horse from the jugular vein which was examined using a thin blood film and autoanalyzer. Data obtained was analysed descriptively using SPSS Version 21. A Chi-square test was performed, and the significance level was tested at a 5% significance level (P-value ≤ 0.05). Results showed 20 (76.9%) positive cases for blood parasites; of which 13 (65%) had Babesia caballi only, 1 (5%) with Theileria equi only, 5 (25%) with both Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, and 1 (5%) with both Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Prevalence was observed to be high in the young horses (3-7 years) as well as in the local breed of horses and the male horses. There were marked effects on haematological parameters in infected horses. Concerning infected horses, haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were low whilst the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was high indicating macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The difference in the effects on haematological parameters between infected and non-infected horses was not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study has established the presence of haemoparasites with Babesia caballi being the most prevalent parasite in the horses sampled in the Ashanti Region of Ghana with marked effects on haematological parameters indicating the presence of macrocytic, hypochromic anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all homoeothermic animals, including humans. The study aimed to isolate T. gondii from the diaphragm of goats and to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in goats at the Kumasi abattoir. A 2cm x 1cm sample was obtained from the skeletal muscle (diaphragm) of 100 goats slaughtered at the Kumasi abattoir. Samples were kept in 10% formalin, sectioned, deparaffinized, rehydrated, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin to identify only T. gondii tissue cysts, including bradyzoites and tachyzoites. The data obtained were entered into to Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (version 2016) and analysed using GraphPad Prism software (v. 9.2.0 (332). Results revealed Toxoplasma gondii present in slaughtered goats at a prevalence of 42%. Male animals (53.7%) were mostly affected by Toxoplasma gondii as compared to the females (38.7%) at the Kumasi abattoir. Goats which were 2 years of age recorded a higher prevalence of 48.5% followed by goats within the age of 1 year (40.0%), 1 1/2 year (36.4%) and 3 years (40.0%) whilst goats of 2 1/2 years old recorded least prevalence (40.0%) of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The West African Dwarf goats (WADG) recorded a lower prevalence of 23% whilst the Sahelian breed of goats recorded a higher percentage prevalence of 29%. Nevertheless, breed (p=0.865), age (p=0.920) and sex (p=0.155) of goats did not have statistically significant effects on the prevalence of T. gondii infection in goats. Institution of surveillance and reporting system for Toxoplasma gondii in goat populations in Ghana is recommended to stakeholders because of its public health importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the preference for grasscutter offal among consumers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana. The stratified three-stage random sampling was adopted for the selection of respondents. A total of 140 respondents (120 consumers; 20 operators) were used in this study. In the Ashanti region, 93 consumers and 13 chop bar operators were considered. Within the Greater Accra region, only one market was selected (Agbogbloshie market), where 27 consumers and seven chop bar operators were considered. Relevant information was collected through the administration of well-structured questionnaires. Results obtained showed a relatively higher offal preference by consumers in the Ashanti region (91.4%) as compared to the Greater Accra region (81.5%). Most consumers preferred the intestines and intestinal contents in both represented areas 60% from the Ashanti region and 45.6% from the Greater Accra region. 90.6% and 81.8% of the consumers from the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively preferred cooked offal to either smoked or roasted. These regional differences were not statistically significant. The rate of offal consumption was higher in the Ashanti region (i.e., on a weekly basis) as compared to the Greater Accra region (i.e., occasionally), represented by 63.5% and 68.2%, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The taste was considered the most significant, relevant and important factor affecting consumer preference for grasscutter offal consumption in both regions. It is concluded in this study that the grasscutter offal has relatively high patronage by the respondents in this study. Further studies should be focused on the possible health implication of offal consumption on consumers as the intestines, and their contents might contain some parasites and other bacteria which can be harmful to humans. Further studies should be carried out to obtain a nationwide view of grasscutter offal consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetusin slaughtered cattle at the Kumasi abattoir. A total of one hundred (100) slaughtered cattle were sampled randomly (60-bulls and 40 cows) with preputial wash and vaginal lavage collected after slaughter for laboratory analysis using Wet-mount technique. Data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics using MS Excel and the results expressed in percentages and graphs. The prevalence of bovine Tritrichomoniasis was 34% with the cows recording 20% and the bulls 14% of the sampled population. Out of the cows sampled, twenty (20) were positive representing 50% and out of the bulls sampled, fourteen (14) were positive representing 23.3%. This clearly shows that cows had the highest prevalence compared to the bulls, therefore sex has a significant effect on the infection, since p˂0.05. The WASH and the Zebu cattle had relatively higher % positivity of 41.7% and 40.7%. N’dama cattle recorded 28.6% positivity which was same as the 28.6% positivity in the White Fulani, while the Sanga breed recorded the least positivity (21.4%) of the infection. Breed of cattle however had no significant effect on infection (p>0.05). The highest prevalence of Tritrichomonas infection was 47.2% in adult cattle of 4 years old whiles adult cattle of 3 years old had a prevalence rate of 28.6% whereas cattle of 2 years of age recorded the lowest prevalence rate of 22.7%. However, age had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the infection. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the rate of infection in the country by using a larger sample size. In order to reduce the level of infection it is advisable to screen all breeding bulls and cull the affected ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of tamarind pulp extract (TPE) on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphometrics, body proximate composition, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia was determined. The fish were fed experimental diets formulated to contain 0.0 (control), 5, 10, 15, or 20 g TPE/kg diet at 3% body weight daily for 84 days. Thereafter, a 14-day challenge test with A. hydrophila infection was done. The results showed that TPE supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the fish growth, protein efficiency ratio, apparent lipid and protein digestibility, villi height, and absorption area at levels of 10–20 g/kg diet compared to the control diet. Similarly, TPE supplementation increased the crude lipids and ash contents in the fish body. Postchallenge fish fed TPE-supplemented diets showed a higher survival rate relative to fish fed the control diet. The results demonstrated that dietary TPE promoted growth, nutrient digestibility, and protection against A. hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia, and its inclusion at 15 g/kg diet is therefore recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemoparasitic diseases is one of the major challenges that hamper cattle production in Africa with their effect usually manifested in production losses, late maturity, weight loss, still birth and increased susceptibility to other diseases. Information on the burden of some haemoparasites in wildlife/livestock interface in Ghana is scanty in literature. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle at Gbele Reserve wildlife/livestock interface, Upper west region of Ghana. A total of 143 blood samples collected from four selected fringe communities namely Desima, Gbele, Wahabu and Sakalu were transported to Central Veterinary Laboratory at Pong-Tamale for analysis. Giemsa stained thin blood smears were examined for haemoparasites, and packed cell volume (PCV) for each sample was determined using Haematocrit method. Mean PCV value was 25% and 42% for infected and non-infected cattle respectively. An overall prevalence of haemoparasites was 2.8% for all samples examined. Village specific prevalence of 0.7%, 1.4%, 0.0% and 0.7% was recorded in cattle infected in Gbele, Desima, Sakalu and Wahabu respectively. The low prevalence of haemoparasites recorded was attributed to the earlier intervention by Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication campaign (PATTEC) project and the quarterly treatment regime employed by farmers. Babesia bovis and Anaplasma marginale were identified with prevalence of 2.1% and 0.7% respectively. The distribution of parasite based on sex was 2.1% for cows and 0.7% for bulls. Polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are recommended alongside with thin blood smear examination in future studies for better sensitivity and identification of the haemoparasites to species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat has genetic potentials that can be exploited for improved goat production. However, their testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghana are not well known. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sabtiu Musah abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana, to evaluate the gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in 10 indigenous WAD goats. The samples were stored on an ice chest and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for analysis on the day of collection. In the laboratory, the testes and epididymis were separated by dissection and then freed of all connective tissue and the Tunica albuginea. The weight, length, width and volume of the testis were determined. A segment of testicular parenchyma was incised and homogenized in a 20 ml normal saline solution. The resulting homogenate was stored in the refrigerator overnight and a filtered aliquot used for estimating spermatid concentration and sperm reserves. The weight, length, width, volume of the testis and the gonadosomatic index were 70.09 ±14.19 gm, 7.46 ± 0.52 cm, 5.08 ± 0.62, cm, 102.40 ± 29.40 ml and 5.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. The sperm reserves per the whole testis, sperm reserves per gramme testis, Daily Sperm production (DSP), and DSP per gramme testis of Ghanaian WAD bucks were 146.0 ± 50.95, 2.2 ± 0.62, 41.01 ± 14.3 and 0.62 ± 0.17 x109 spermatozoa, respectively. Indigenous West African Draft goats have a high potential for sperm production. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the semen quality parameters of this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The high morbidity rate and poor prognosis associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in developing countries is attributed to late diagnosis. In this study, we sought to determine the value of age, gender, tumor location, immunohistochemical expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin (CkAE1/AE3) proteins in OSCC diagnosis. Methods: Cases of OSCC at the Dental Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between January 2004 and December 2015 were profiled for gender, age, tumor location and histologic class. The pattern of immunoreactivity was also determined. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patients' demographic data which were then presented as frequencies and percentages, while Pearson's x 2 test was used to assess the association between demographic variables and OSCC. Results: Out of 1527 tumor cases accessioned 100 (6.5%) were OSCC with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Peak prevalence was observed at the 7th decade age group. The moderately differentiated class which was observed to be associated with patients in the 1st, 2nd and 4th decade age groups was the most preponderant constituting 65% of cases. The palate was the most commonly affected site. While the floor of the mouth, parotid, buccal mucosa and commissure were associated with the moderately differentiated class, the oropharynx was associated with the poorly differentiated class. Cytokeratin was expressed by all the histologic classes. However, only the poorly differentiated class failed to express EMA protein. Conclusions: In conclusion gender (P > 0.05), age (P > 0.05) and tumor location (P > 0.05) do not seem to be critical diagnostic factors associated with OSCC. However, the EMA seems to be a valuable predictive diagnostic marker for the poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to provide data on influence of sex and management system on seroprevalence of Newcastle disease (ND) in unvaccinated indigenous chicken in Ashanti Region, Ghana. A total of seventy-one (71) local chickens were screened for ND virus antibodies using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. The overall seroprevalence of 69.0% was obtained. A higher ND antibodies seroprevalence of 60.56% was recorded in local chicken at Aboaso (kept under extensive system) than those from Amakom (kept under intensive system) with 8.45%. More female birds from extensive system (11 (69.1%) tested positive for the ND antibodies also a higher mean titer of 6.4 were obtained in positive male birds also the same system. The differences in seroprevalence with respect to management systems and the mean titre values with respect to sex of birds were statistically significant (p<0.05). The findings indicate that ND is endemic in Ashanti region particularly at Aboaso where extensive system is practised. It is imperative to conclude that the extensive system of management of indigenous chicken play a role in the spread of ND in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swine respiratory diseases particularly enzootic pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) constitutes a significant health problem to pig production in many countries. However, the impact has been underestimated in Nigeria. This study therefore, retrospectively analyzed swine respiratory diseases and the associated pulmonary histopathology. Postmortem records and archival lung samples were obtained from the Departments of Veterinary Pathology University of Ibadan, Ibadan and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. A total of 98 pig carcasses were presented for necropsy during the period between 2005 and 2017. The diseases presumptively diagnosed using gross morphological criteria were extracted from the postmortem records while, 21 formalin-fixed archival lung samples were used for histopathology and immunohistochemistry using standard techniques. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics while Chi Square was used to test for association between different variables and pulmonary lesions at a0.05. In this study, respiratory diseases had a prevalence of 56.1% with enzootic pneumonia as the most frequently diagnosed at postmortem (49%, 48/98). Only age was identified to be a significant (P = 0.019) predisposing factor in the development of respiratory diseases. Microscopically, hyperplasia of bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) with formation of lymphoid nodules and thickening of alveolar septa were the most significant changes (38.1%, 8/21). Immunohistochemically, M. hyopneumoniae antigen was detected in 13/21 (61.9%) of the lung samples and were immunolabelled as granular brown reactions on the luminal surfaces of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells and intraluminal cellular exudates within the airways. The histopathological findings and the detection of M. hyopneumoniae antigen indicated that the organism is primarily involved in the development of enzootic pneumonia in naturally infected pigs and may be central in the pathogenesis. It is concluded that enzootic pneumonia is a serious health issue in pigs in the study area and needs urgent attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is the largest organ in the body of man and animal where interdigitation of the dermal papillae with epidermal pegs enhances structural stability of the skin especially where frequent pressure is applied. Cane rats are robust rodents with stocky bodies. They are only found in Africa and only a single species known as Thryonomys has been found to exist. This work was designed to establish the nature of the interdigitating structural disposition of the epidermal-dermal interface in T. swinderianus (Greater cane rat) which may account for the fragility and easy tear of their skin. A total of twenty adult male greater cane rats were used. Three samples sized 1cm to 2cm were taken from each of 14 different body sites for histological evaluation for rete pegs. These pegs were generally few in six regions with the following average per light microscopic field: head (5.5±3.7), neck (1.0±1.7), forelimb (5.6±3.7), trunk (4.3±4.2), tail (1.0±1.7) and the hindlimb (6.3±5.3). The neck and the tail parts of the body have the least concentration of this structure compared to other regions evaluated. This few in number of rete pegs may account for the fragility of the skin which makes it difficult to restrain or handle without damage during research work procedures and management during domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study was to test the pathogenicity of Mycoplasma bovis isolated from cases of clinical mastitis in cattle in some states of Nigeria. Pathogenicity study of Mycoplasma bovis was carried out using five New Zealand White lactating rabbits, obtained from a local breeder in Ibadan, Nigeria. The left mammary glands of each rabbit were inoculated intracisternally with 1ml of 2.4 x 105 cfu/ml of Mycoplasma bovis obtained from cases of clinical mastitis in Nigeria. The right mammary glands served as control and received 1 ml of sterile Tryptose Soy broth each. The clinical signs, post-mortem and histological findings were recorded. Clinically, the rabbits were weak and anorexic with mortalities. Grossly, lesions were observed in the spleens, lungs and the ovaries, while the mammary glands were atrophied. This clearly showed the septicaemic nature of the Mycoplasma bovis isolated from the clinical mastitis cases hence proper hygienic practices should be implemented during milking for public health reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to understand the ecological dynamics of parasites allows for a more wholistic insight into the application of the one health concept in wildlife medicine. Using this method, the ecological dynamics of shared gastrointestinal parasites of wildlife, humans and domestic animals in the Kumasi metropolis was determined. The study analyzed 102 faecal samples (59 from game and 43 from captive animals) from Kumasi Metropolis using the flotation and Mcmaster techniques. From the study, the pattern of prevalence for helminth parasites was same for both game and captive animals with Trichostrongyles being the most prevalent (49.2% in game animals and 44.2% in captive animals) followed by Ascarids, Stongyloides spp., and Trichuris spp. Capillaria spp. was least prevalent in captive animals at 23.3% and just a bit more prevalent in game animals (8.5%) than Trichuris spp. (5.1%). Protozoan parasite prevalence pattern differed between game and captive animals with Coccidia (45.8%) more prevalent in game animals than Entamoeba spp. (6.8%). In captive animals Entamoeba spp. (20.9%) was most prevalent followed by Coccidia (13.9%) and then Giardia spp. (11.6%). This confirmed the existence of shared gastrointestinal parasites between wildlife, humans and domestic animals with the potential to be spilled over into wildlife or spilled back to humans and domestic animals, emphasizing the need for more extensive studies in wildlife parasitology and ways in which to reduce the risks posed to humans, wildlife and our domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]