Natural Infections of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites among Free-Range Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Yamaltu Deba, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Avian malaria caused by haemosporidian parasites belonging to Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon species transmitted by arthropod vectors is considered a global problem for avian species. Despite this concern, there are limited studies on avian haemosporidian parasites in free-range chickens in Nigeria and its sub regions. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of natural infection of avian haemosporidian parasites among free-range chickens in Yamaltu Deba, Gombe State, Nigeria. To achieve this goal, blood samples were obtained from 400 apparently healthy chickens from households and live birds markets within the study areas and tested for avian haemosporidian parasites using microscopic analysis of thin blood and buffy coat films, and identification of parasites was based on morphology. The present study found Plasmodium (13.8%), Haemoproteus (6.8%), and Leucocytozoon (0.8%) in a single infection, mixed Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (2.8%), mixed Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon (0.3%), and mixed Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon (0.3%) in infected chickens. The prevalence of parasites was significantly higher (p -value: 0.0159; χ 2 = 5.816) in males (16.0%) compared to females (8.5%) chickens; significantly higher (p -value: < 0.0001; χ 2 = 37.346) in adults (19.3%) compared with grower (5.3%) chickens; and significantly higher (p -value: < 0.0001; χ 2 = 64.347) in the rainy (21.0%) compared to dry season (3.5%) in the study period. The prevalence of natural infection of avian haemosporidian parasites was higher in chickens sample in households (14.8%) relative to chickens sampled from live birds markets (9.8%); but the correlation is not significant (p -value: 0.1007; χ 2 = 2.694). The present study showed that free-range chickens in Yamaltu Deba, Gombe State, Nigeria have avian haemosporidian parasites, thus providing insight into more conscientious management practices in the country's poultry systems to prevent widespread transmission of the parasites to commercial exotic poultry farms. haemoparasites are pathogenic to domesticated and wild birds