Population density of helminths in ducks: effects of host’s age, sex, breed and season

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the population density of helminth parasites in domestic ducks (Anas boschas domesticus) in relation to host's age, sex, breed and seasons of the year from March 2002 to May 2003. A total of 300 ducks were collected from different villages of Netrokona and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh and autopsied to collect the parasites and counted to determine the population density of parasites. Off 300 ducks examined, 290 (96.66%) were infected with 17 species of helminth parasites in which 11 species were trematodes, 4 were cestodes and 2 nematodes. Among the parasites, density of cestodes was the highest (33.15±5.26), followed by trematodes (5.98±1.32); and nematodes (2.95±0.68). Mean density of parasites increased with the increase of age (young: 21.23±1.09, adult: 26.18±2.14 and old: 27.87±2.98) while the mean density of most of the helminth parasites was higher in female ducks (31.35±4.72) than in males (27.52±3.32). Indigenous ducks (33.72±3.61) were infected with the highest load of helminths than Khaki Campbell breed (29.61±4.32) of ducks. Mean density of most trematodes (5.42±0.80) were highest in winter season whereas mean density of all cestodes (48.43±4.85) and nematodes (4.13±1.76) were highest in summer. The present study suggests that age, sex, breed of ducks and seasons of the year influence the parasitic infection to a greater extend. Key words: Population density, helminths, duck, Bangladesh INTRODUCTIONThe duck fulfill a great proportion of protein deficiency in people of Bangladesh in the form of meat and eggs and also acts as a tool of poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. Ducks contribute 1642 million eggs and 163 million ton meat per year (1999)(2000) in our country (Anon, 2001). Although geographical location, sub-tropical climatic condition of Bangladesh is suitable for duck habitation and her water lodged and low-lying areas are also favorable for duck rearing, but this environment also favors the growth, multiplication, development, survival and spread of the parasites. As a result, almost all of the ducks suffer from parasitic diseases (Farjana et al., 2004) which affect the growth and production performance of ducks in Bangladesh (Anisuzzaman et al., 2005). The system of management, the nutritional status, the ecology of the parasites and their host-parasite relationship exert significant effect on the occurrence of the helminth infection in ducks. Ahmed (1969), Fariduddin (1975, Qadir (1979) and Islam et al. (1988) have undertaken a number of studies on parasitism in ducks of Bangladesh. But the population density of helminths of ducks in relation to their age, sex, breed and season of the year in Bangladesh was not studied yet clearly. So, the present study was designed with a view to find out the effect of the age, sex, breed of ducks and seasons of the year on the population density of helminth parasites in ducks.

Parasite diversity in mallard: A cross sectional study on Anas platyrhynchos from Munshiganj, Dhaka

“…The finding is similar to that of Musa et al (2012). Farjana et al (2008) found higher mean density of all parasites in female ducks (31.35 ± 4.72) than males (27.52 ± 3.32). Among the Raillietina spp., Raillietina echinobothrida was equally prevalent in male and female (50%).…”

“…Usually snails are available in monsoon when ducks are feed on snails, get infected with metacercaria of trematodes, but usually trematodes take some time to become adult in final host (Farjana et al 2008). Parasite prevalence was comparatively low in winter for all the parasite species found (Table 4).…”

Prevalence and intensity of parasites in domestic ducks

“…Hymenolepis columbae showed highest prevalence in the present study which is consistent with the study of Farzana et al (1) . Soulsby (11) found thousands of hymenolepids per bird.…”

“…In the present study female had higher prevalence and intensity of parasite infection. This is consistent with the study of Farzana et al (1) where they found high density of parasitic infection in female ducks compared to male. Female ducks may be more susceptible to parasitic infection due to egg laying and also lack of balanced nutrition, which affect their immune system and ability to combat the parasitic infection.…”

Status of Household’s Ducks and their Associated Factors under Scavenging System in a Southern Area of Bangladesh

“…Regular use of anthelmintics (p value = 0.001), treatment of diseased duck (p = 0.024), providing supplementary feed ingredients (p= 0.004) and presence of marshy lands (p =0.009) were positively associated with higher egg production. Anthelmintics reduce the burden of parasites and thus the nutrients are more utilized for egg production [11] .…”