Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) in and around Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A study was carried out to know the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in and nearby villages of Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh for a period of 1 year. Screening of 492 samples comprising faecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts from freshly slaughtered desi birds at local poultry shops and samples from post mortem examinations at NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram revealed 63.21 % of gastrointestinal parasites. Faecal samples were examined by floatation technique using salt solution and samples positive for coccidian oocysts were sporulated in 2.5 % potassium dichromate solution for species identification. Adult worms were identified after routine processing and mounting. The species identified includes Davainea proglottina, Raillietina cesticillus and Raillietina echinobothrida in cestodes (32.47 %), Ascaridia galli, Capillaria annulata, Heterakis gallinarum in nematodes (39.87 %), Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria necatrix in Eimeria spp. (39.87 %). Ascaridia galli and R. cesticillus and A. galli and Eimeria spp. were common in mixed infection (12.86 %). Ascaridia galli was the more prevalent species. No trematode parasite was identified during the study period. Significant (p = 0.001) relationship between the seasonality and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was observed (v2 = 17.46, df = 2). Data revealed high prevalence in rainy season (43.41 %) followed by summer (38.91 %) and winter (17.68 %) seasons for all parasites except for A. galli and C. annulata infections which were higher in summer season. Results indicated high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in study area emphasizing the need of improved management practices of backyard poultry.

Prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal helminthes among grey-breasted helmet guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata) encountered in Gombe state, Nigeria

“…had the highest prevalence. Similar observations were reported by other researchers in Nigeria [17] , [20] , [26] , [27] and around the world [3] , [14] , [30] , [34] , [35] , [36] ; where it was reported to be associated with reduced weight gain among birds, resulting in significant economic losses to poultry farmers. The high prevalence observed could reflect the abundance of the intermediate hosts of Raillietina spp.…”

“…In contrast, others reported high prevalence of nematodes compared with cestodes in both exotic, rural and guinea fowl chickens [6] . These variations in occurrence of nematode and cestode species could be due to less accessibility to intermediate hosts of cestodes and availability of the infective stages of nematodes around the environment [30] . The occurrence of cestodes and nematodes in both sexes of the studied birds was not statistically significant ( P > 0 .…”

“…This could partly be due to non-accessibility or availability of infected snails in the environment. It may also be due to lack of favourable environmental conditions necessary for the growth and perpetuation of the vectors of trematodes in the study area [30] . Similar finding was also reported in other parts of the world [33] , [34] , [35] .…”

“…around the environment of the study area. Chickens normally acquire the infection with Raillietina through ingestion of the intermediate hosts such as beetles, Musca domestica and ants of the genera Tetramorium pheidole , harbouring cysticercoids [3] , [30] . These intermediate hosts are available in abundance in and around the study area.…”

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites in Gallus gallus domesticus in Lucknow, U. P, India

“…During the study period overall prevalence of infection was found to be 45.96%, more or less similar to the prevalence (37.6%) as reported by Agbolade et al [16]. Among all identified nematode parasites A. galli (57.31%) was the highest prevalent parasite, similar perevalence of A. galli is also reported by Puttalaksshamamma et al [17]; Katoch et al [18]: Sreedevi et al [19]. Although mortality from A. galli is not significant, may lead to death of infected birds due to the obstruction of intestinal lumen Sreedevi et al [19].…”