Gastrointestinal parasitic infection in diverse species of domestic birds of Manipur, India

Diversity of gastrointestinal parasites of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) under different housing systems in Bessarabia, Ukraine

The development of turkey farming is significantly restrained by parasitic diseases, which have become widespread and cause significant economic losses to specialized- and homestead farms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of endoparasites in turkeys of different age groups under different maintenance systems and the nature of patho-anatomical changes depending on the course of the disease. A total of 1,869 samples of fecal from turkeys were studied. From turkeys kept in poultry houses, 925 fecal samples and 944 fecal samples from free-range turkeys were examined. In turkeys that were kept in a poultry house, the total infection with endoparasites was 59.8 %, while in free range, it was 63.3 %. The most common in turkeys 30-60 days old from poultry houses are Histomonas meleagridis (21.5 %), Eimeria spp. (11.5 %) and Cryptosporidium baileyi (15.5 %) and in free-range turkeys - Histomonas meleagridis (15.6 %), Eimeria spp. (7.2 %) and Cryptosporidium baileyi (10.8 %). Cryptosporidium baileyi was not observed in turkeys 360 days old or older. Tetratrichomonas gallinarum was most frequently recorded in turkeys 90 - 120 days old from poultry houses (3.8 %) and turkeys 150 - 180 days old in free range (3.7 %). Ascaridia dissimilis is most common in free-range turkeys 90 - 120 days old (11.8 %) and turkeys 150 - 180 days old from poultry houses (9.5 %). Heterakis gallinarum was primarily recorded in turkeys 150 - 180 days old under both systems of keeping with a value range from 16.2 to 17.2 %. Infestation of 150 - 180-day-old free-range turkeys by cestodes Davainea meleagridis and Raillietina echinobothrida was 15.0 % and 12.9 %, respectively. Thus, the diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal tract invasions depend on the age and housing system of the poultry.

Prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites in household and temple pigeons ( Columba livia ) in central Nepal

Background

Intestinal infection, caused by various protozoans and helminths, represents one of the significant health concerns in pigeons around the world.

Objectives

The present study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of the intestinal parasites in pigeons found in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, in central Nepal.

Methods

The fresh faecal samples (n = 155) were non‐invasively collected from different households and temples pigeons The individual samples were immediately preserved in the 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and transported to the research laboratory. Following direct wet mount and concentration methods, the samples were observed under a compound microscope.

Results

The results showed 87.1% prevalence rate with 16 parasite species that included 8 protozoan and 8 helminth faunae. The faecal samples of temple pigeons contained a higher prevalence rate with higher parasitic richness (95.6%; 16 species) than household pigeons (75.4%; 12 species). Mixed infection up to four different species was recorded in both types of sampling populations.

Conclusions

Pigeons harbour a greater prevalence and wider diversity of intestinal parasites and the parasitism varies based on the habitats. Proper management and effective deworming practices are recommended to control intestinal parasitic infection in these avian hosts.

Evaluation of metabolic syndromes and parasitic infection in Muscovy ducks under different management conditions

Proper health management is essential for productivity in duck farming. However, there is limited information on the effect of management conditions on rates of metabolic problems and parasitic infections in anatids. We evaluated the rates of metabolic syndromes and gastrointestinal parasite involvement in Muscovy ducks up to 12 weeks of age, under 3 management conditions: backyard, organized, and organized with probiotics. Individuals under organized management developed 2 metabolic problems: ascites, which was rare (3.5%), fatal, and affected both males and females, and angel wing syndrome, which was more frequent (10.6%), has low impact on general health, and only affected males. The treatments do not have a significant effect on the development of ascites, but only individuals in controlled conditions presented this syndrome, and due to its low prevalence, further studies with a larger sample size are required. The risk of angel wing syndrome increased significantly with probiotic supplementation. Regarding to parasitic infection, the improvement of sanitary management and the use of probiotics supplementation reduced the occurrence of coccidiosis. Similarly organized management with probiotic supplementation showed a protective effect on helminthiasis by reducing the frequency of Heterakis gallinarum and greatly reducing the helminth egg load. Coccidiosis and helminthiasis infections were not significantly correlated with the final weight of the ducks. Therefore, organized management and the use of probiotics seems to reduce the impact of parasitic infection, although it increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Parasites of domestic and wild pigeons in the south of Ukraine

Pigeons are closely related to human life and are both a source of food and object for hobbies and sports. Parasitic diseases of birds are the main reason for their growth retardation, reduced productivity and viability. The article presents the results of studying the prevalence of trichomonosis, cestodes and nematodes among the population of wild and domestic pigeons in the south of Ukraine. According to the results of the conducted researches it is established that in the south of Ukraine endoparasitoses of domestic and wild pigeons are quite widespread, and all species of this bird are carriers of Trichomonas gallinae. At the same time, the highest rate of Trichomonas infection was recorded in Columba palambus and C. livia domestica, and the overall infestation of males is higher by 4.4% compared to females. It was determined that domestic pigeons C. livia domestica were infested with trichomonosis (27.5%) and nematodes (Ascaridia columbae, 57.1%), C. palambus – trichomonosis (32.1%) and cestodes (Raillietina spp., 82.4%), Streptopelia turtur – cestodes (Raillietina spp., 12.5%) and S. decaocto – cestodes (Raillietina spp., 71.4%) and nematodes (Heterakis gallinarum, A. columbae – 33.3% and 44.4% respectively). The overall rate of infestation of pigeons with cestodes was 28.4% and the incidence in males was higher by 3.9% compared to females. It was found that the most common species among pigeon cestodes is Raillietina spp. In addition, 22.9% of pigeons are carriers of nematodes (H. gallinarum, A. columbae and Capillaria spp.). Continuous monitoring of pigeon parasites is necessary because they, in most cases, come into contact with other species of poultry and are a source of general invasion. In terms of further research, it would be promising to study the prevalence of helminthic infestation among wild migratory birds.

Assessment of risk factors associated with prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in poultry of central plain zone of Punjab, India

Background and Aim

Parasitic diseases are an important hurdle to the economy for the developing poultry industry due to their deleterious effects resulting into malnutrition, diminished feed conversion ratio, weight loss, decreased egg production, and mortality in young birds. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in poultry farms of central plain zone of Punjab.

Materials and Methods

A total of 490 pooled droppings and 351 intact intestines of poultry from slaughterhouses from seven districts of central plain zone of Punjab state, India, were collected and analyzed from September 2016 to May 2018 by qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Results

An overall prevalence of GIT parasites was 38.36% with significantly (p<0.01) highest (74.1%) in Ludhiana and lowest (12.0%) in Shri Fatehgarh Sahib. The most predominant (86.2%) infection was coccidia. The birds reared under a deep litter system were having a higher (p<0.01) fecal load of helminthic eggs and coccidian oocysts (54.4%) compared to the cage system (37.5%). Infection rate was apparently more (40%) in broilers than layers (35.7%). Prevalence of GIT parasites was higher (p<0.01) in monsoon season (58.5%) and lower in summer season (24.48%). The broilers in the age group of 0-2 weeks possessed a significant higher (p<0.05) level of GIT parasitic infection (57.5%), while in case of layers, a higher infection rate (46.66%) was observed in birds between 9 and 18 weeks of age as compared in other groups. Higher (p<0.05) infection rate of GIT parasites was seen in crossbred (45.55%) birds as compared to desi birds (20.00%).

Conclusion

The study showed that coccidiosis was the predominant infection among all GIT parasites based on fecal and intestinal tract content analysis. The risk factors associated with the prevalence of GIT parasitic infections were geographical location, deep litter system, broilers, age, crossbred breeds, and monsoon season.