Haemato-biochemical changes and prevalence of parasitic infections of indigenous chicken sold in markets of Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study aimed at determining parasitic prevalence and probable haemato-biochemical changes that may occur from parasitic infections in marketed indigenous chickens in Kiambu County, Kenya. Thirty adult chickens were purchased and examined for ectoparasites, haemoparasites and haemato-biochemical changes. Post mortem was conducted to recover gastrointestinal parasites and fecal samples taken for egg/oocyst counts. Forty-seven percent (14/30) of chickens examined were in poor body condition, 43% (13/30) in fair and 10% (3/30) in good body condition. Ectoparasites infection prevalence was 66.7% (20/30). Four haemoparasites were isolated. Overall helminths prevalence was 86.6% (26/30), nematodes at 76.7% (23/30) and cestodes at 40% (12/30). After processing fecal samples, 30% (9/30) were positive for helminth eggs and 30% (9/30) had coccidial oocysts. Relative to normal values, total erythrocyte count was low and total leucocyte count with band cells high. Mean haematocrit and heterophil values were high (p=0.0005; p=0.0061). Mean lymphocyte count was low (p=0.0128) in chickens with ectoparasitic infestation. Eosinophils increased significantly (p=0.0363) although mean erythrocytes counts decreased (p=0.0176), in chickens with gastrointestinal parasites. Creatine phosphokinase and blood glucose levels were high, serum protein and albumin levels were low. Blood glucose level decreased significantly (p=0.0239) and total plasma protein increased (p=0.045) in chickens with Haemoproteus spp. infection. The study showed, ecto-and endo-parasites are prevalent and may contribute to alteration of haematobiochemical parameters of sub-clinically infected marketed indigenous chickens. These results are expected to contribute towards and encourage usage of clinico-pathological parameter testing as a measure of poultry health status for enhanced poultry disease diagnoses.

The effects of native chicken strains and feed addives on immunity, kidney functions, and blood protein

“…Heterophils are engaged in phagocytosis against foreign bodies or dead tissues. Heterophils carry phagocytosis characteristics and become the frontier in fighting infectious diseases (Wamboi et al, 2020). The average percentage of eosinophils in this study was 3 ± 1.56% or within the normal range (2-8%).…”

“…Abun et al (2018) stated that total protein plasma is physiologically affected by age, hormone, growth, sex, nutrition intake, parasitic infection, and lost fluid in the body. Similarly, Wamboi et al, (2020) stated that the increase of the total protein plasma was found in chickens infected with Haemoproteus sp. Elagib et al, (2012) added that the concentration of protein plasma would decrease as the environmental temperature increased.…”

Global and regional prevalence of helminth infection in chickens over time: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…These results are not surprising, and the most likely explanation would be due to scavenging activities and roaming habit of free-range and backyard chicken where the direct contact with excreta and soil and the noncommercial approach of owners would most likely include poor management including a lack of anthelminthic drug application ( Abdelqader et al., 2008 ; Abdullah and Mohammed, 2013 ). Furthermore, the free-range and backyard scavenging production system can play an important role in shedding helminth infections by contaminating the environment with parasite eggs and larvae ( Mwale and Masika, 2011 ; Wamboi et al., 2020 ). In contrast, birds housed in caged systems off the ground are largely separated from their excreta, disrupting the direct life cycle of the parasite which is reflected in the significantly lower average prevalence than backyard and free range ( Permin and Hansen, 1998 ; Permin et al., 1999 ).…”

Coconut water enhances immunity of cockerels before and after vaccination against Newcastle disease virus

“…In contrast to the above figures, values of total protein and globulin recorded in this present study were higher and this is plausible as the birds were vaccinated late hence, they could have been exposed to natural infections. Infections in animals are accompanied by high serum total protein, elevated globulin and low albumin levels resulting from enhanced antibody secretion in response to infection (Orhue et al,2005;Wamboi et al, 2020). Coconut water supplementation seemingly reduced susceptibility of birds in groups B and C to infection probably as a result of its antimicrobial properties (Rajan et al, 2016;Rukmini et al, 2017).…”