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

Abstract

This cross sectional survey was conducted from July to December 2015 in order to investigate the burden of gastrointestinal helminthes among guinea fowls in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria. A total of six hundred fowls (viscera) were purchased from six randomly selected slaughter slabs. Out of the 600 birds examined, 479 (79.83%; 95% CI: 76.4, 82.9) were found harbouring one or more gastrointestinal helminthes. Of this, 238 birds (39.7%; 35.8, 43.6) were infected by nematode species and 392 birds (65.3%; 61.4, 69.0) by cestode species. A total of nine nematodes and seven cestodes species were recovered from these birds. There was no any trematode observed among the studied birds. The prevalences of the nematodes identified in descending order were: Ascaridia galli 56.7% (52.7, 60.6); Ascaridia numidae 38.0% (34.2, 42.0); Heterakis gallinarum 17.2% (14.4, 20.4); Heterakis meleagridis 8.3% (6.4, 10.8); Strongyloides avium 3.5% (2.3, 5.3); Subulura brumpti 3.2% (2.0, 5.0); Gongylonema ingluvicola 2.2% (1.3, 3.7) and both Dispharynx spiralis and Tetrameres numidae had 0.7% (0.3, 1.7). While for cestodes: Raillietina tetragona 72.8% (69.1, 76.2); Raillietina echinobothrida 67.3% (63.5, 71.0); Raillietina cesticillus 50% (46.0, 54.0); Raillietina magninumida 25.7% (22.3, 29.3); Hymenolopsis cantaniana 17.3% (14.5, 20.6); Davainea nana 4.2% (2.8, 6.1) and the lowest was observed in Choanotaenia infundibulum with 2% (1.2, 3.5). Infection rates did not differ significantly based on sex (P > 0.05). However, the occurrence of mixed infection as compared with single infection was statistically significant in both cestodes and nematodes (P < 0.001). The results obtained indicated high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes among guinea fowls. These birds may serve as important source of helminthes to other commercial birds in the study area.

Gastrointestinal parasites of different avian species in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria.

“…Our study revealed that guinea fowls are majorly infected with H. gallinarum and A. galli with moderate to minimal infection rate of R. tetragona , Strongyloides avium , S. trachea , S. brumpti , and Eimeria species. This body of evidence supports previous studies conducted in Nigeria [24, 25].…”

The Health Assessment of Vultures (Gyps bengalnesis) From Changa Manga, Lahore: A case Study

“…Gross examination of feces showed result of its consistency, it tells about diarrhea, hard, sandy or soft. Color green can mean parasites, dark brown mean anoxia for about 24 hours and red due to the presence of blood which shows infection in intestines [16].Several studies about intestine parasites had been conducted on wild birds [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Our study revealed the presence of coccidiosis in fecal samples.…”

Occurrence of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum in Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in the State of Rondônia, Brazil

“…Dentre as principais espécies de helmintos albergadas por Numida meleagris a espécie Heterakis gallinarum, foi relatada em casos de infecções que provocaram alta morbidade e mortalidade nas aves [13]. Adicionalmente, Ascaridia galli foi relatado em alta prevalência em Numida meleagris na Nigéria, alcançando até 56,7% dos casos de infecção, embora este parasita seja mais comumente relatado em frangos domésticos [6].…”

“…A elevada carga parasitária de A. galli e H. gallinarum aqui descrita em galinha-d'angola foi o primeiro relato no estado de Rondônia. A alta infestação, possivelmente, foi influenciada pela época de nascimento das pintainhas, uma vez que as altas temperaturas da região amazônica, agregadas à alta umidade em época chuvosa, são fatores preponderantes para a maior incidência destes helmintos, visto que ambas as espécies são mais identificadas na época chuvosa, enquanto coccídeos são mais prevalentes em período de seca [6].…”