Prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites in household and temple pigeons (Columba livia) in central Nepal

Abstract

Background Intestinal infection, caused by various protozoans and helminths, represents one of the significant health concerns in pigeons around the world. Objectives The present study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of the intestinal parasites in pigeons found in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, in central Nepal. Methods The fresh faecal samples (n = 155) were non‐invasively collected from different households and temples pigeons The individual samples were immediately preserved in the 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and transported to the research laboratory. Following direct wet mount and concentration methods, the samples were observed under a compound microscope. Results The results showed 87.1% prevalence rate with 16 parasite species that included 8 protozoan and 8 helminth faunae. The faecal samples of temple pigeons contained a higher prevalence rate with higher parasitic richness (95.6%; 16 species) than household pigeons (75.4%; 12 species). Mixed infection up to four different species was recorded in both types of sampling populations. Conclusions Pigeons harbour a greater prevalence and wider diversity of intestinal parasites and the parasitism varies based on the habitats. Proper management and effective deworming practices are recommended to control intestinal parasitic infection in these avian hosts.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Infesting Domestic Pigeons with Histopathological Changes at Taif Governorate, KSA

“…The prevalence percentage was calculated [27] according to the equation below using Microsoft Excel 2007.…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in street dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) with highlights on zoonosis in Lalitpur, Nepal

“…The faecal samples were microscopically examined by four different techniques, including direct wet mount, formalin‐ethyl acetate (FEA) sedimentation, saturated salt (45% w/v NaCl) flotation and acid‐fast method based on the procedure previously described (Adhikari & Ghimire, 2021; Adhikari, Adhikari Dhakal, et al., 2021; Adhikari, Ale, et al., 2022; Adhikari, Dhakal, et al., 2022; Adhikari, Maharjan, et al., 2020; Adhikari, Parajuli, et al., 2021; Aryal et al., 2021). Furthermore, sporulation assays (Ghimire et al., 2021) were also performed to identify coccidian parasites like Cystoisospora , Sarcocystis and Eimeria .…”

Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in domestic cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in central Nepal

“…The copromicroscopic examination of the faecal samples was carried out with five different routine laboratory techniques like direct wet mount, formalin‐ethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated sodium chloride salt flotation (45% w/v NaCl), acid‐fast staining and sporulation assays as previously explained (Adhikari & Ghimire, 2021 ; Adhikari et al, 2020 ; Adhikari et al., 2021 ; Adhikari et al., 2021 ; Adhikari et al., 2021 ; Adhikari et al., 2022 ; Aryal et al., 2021 ; Ghimire & Bhattarai, 2019 ; Ghimire et al., 2021 ).…”