author(s)
Ruma Jas, Dhananjay Kumar, Soumitra Pandit, Surajit Baidya, Anupam Brahma and Saroj Rai

abstract
The prevalence of naturally occurring gastrointestinal (GI) helminths and intensity of GI nematodes in buffaloes was determined in relation to season, age and sex of animal in the Coastal zone of West Bengal, India. Monthly 80 buffaloes were coprologically screened from four selected places of Coastal zone. The overall prevalence of GI helminth parasites was 51.45% with highest prevalence (p<0.05) in monsoon (61.25%). Paramphistome (35.92%) was the predominant helminth parasite affecting buffaloes. The prevalence as well as intensity of GI helminths was significantly (p<0.05) higher in calves compared to adult buffaloes. Strongyle and Toxocara infection were significantly (p<0.05) higher in calves compared adult animals. The prevalence of GI helminths was non-significantly higher in female than the male buffaloes. The epidemiological observations of the present study might be exploited for strategic helminth control programme in buffaloes of Coastal zone of West Bengal, India.