Prevalence and associated risk factors of Trypanosomosis in small ruminants of Abe Dongoro District, Western Ethiopia

Trypanosomosis is a serious constraint to livestock productivity in Ethiopia, affecting a wide range of hosts. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to December 2023 to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis in small ruminants and its associated risk factors in the Abe Dongoro district, Oromia Regional State, western Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed for this study. A total of 390 blood samples (308 sheep and 82 goats) were collected from the ear vein using a random sampling method, considering various agro-ecological kebeles, body condition, age, and sex. The wet blood film examination and buffy coat technique were employed to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis, and Giemsa-stained thin smears were used for species identification. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between parasitic infection and risk factors. The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis in small ruminants was 17.69% (69/390), with 15.9% (49/308) in sheep and 24.39% (20/82) in goats. The dominant species of Trypanosoma identified were T. congolense (6.66%), T. vivax (4.87%), and T. brucei (1.02%), with mixed infections accounting for 5.13%. The difference in prevalence among parasite species was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The study indicated that infection prevalence varied significantly across kebeles, body condition scores, and sex categories ( P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between age categories of animals ( P > 0.05). The mean Packed Cell Volume (PCV) analysis recorded values of 20.76 ± 2.675 in parasitemic sheep and goats, compared to 26.78 ± 2.551 in aparasitemic individuals, revealing a significant statistical difference between the two groups ( P < 0.05). The study concluded that trypanosomosis is prevalent in sheep and goats, with significant anemia and poor body condition in infected animals representing substantial productivity losses for smallholder farmers. The identification of kebele, sex, and body condition as independent risk factors enables targeted interventions. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated control strategies combining vector control in high-risk areas, strategic trypanocidal drug use, and community education on animal husbandry practices to mitigate disease impact and improve livestock productivity in the region. • Trypanosomosis prevalence is 17.69% in small ruminants in Abe Dongoro, Ethiopia. • T. congolense is the dominant Trypanosoma species in infected animals. • Parasite infection significantly lowers packed cell volume (PCV). • Prevalence varies significantly with body condition and agroecology.