Gastrointestinal parasites of domestic fowls from Ijebu North, Southwestern Nigeria

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1 Basic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Review ISSN Vol. 3(7) pp September 2014 Available online http// Copyright 2014 Basic Research Journal Full Length Research Paper Gastrointestinal parasites of domestic fowls from Ijebu North, Southwestern Nigeria *Agbolade, O.M, Arosoye, A.S, Akajiugo, E.C, Akinyemi, H.A, Owolowo, A.M, Ariba, O. and Jonathan, K.A. Parasitology and Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria *Correspondenceauthor Tel: Accepted 29 September, 2014 ABSTRACT Domestic fowls are bedevilled by parasitic infestations with attendant negative impacts. Faeces of 133 (110 exotic and 23 local) domestic fowls from Ijebu-Igbo, Ago-Iwoye and Mamu, Ijebu North, southwestern Nigeria were analysed using floatation technique between September and November Seven of the local fowls (from Mamu) had their Packed Cell Volume (PCV) determined and were, at necropsy, examined for gastrointestinal helminthes. Overall, 37.6% (50/133) of the domestic fowls had endoparasite eggs and cysts. The parasites recorded are Ascaridia galli, Capillaria sp., Heterakis gallinarum, Syngamus trachea, hookworm, Raillietina sp., Giardia sp., Trichomonas gallinae, Eimeria sp. and Plasmodium sp. The prevalence of endoparasites in local breed (87.0%) was significantly higher than that of the exotic breed (27.3%) (P < 0.01). Eimeria (30.4%) and Giardia (14.5%) were most prevalent in local (P < 0.001) and exotic (P < 0.01) breeds, respectively. Infestation of the local breed fowls by intestinal helminths had no negative influence on PCV. Comparison of faecal and post-mortem examination in some local domestic fowls suggests that faecal false negatives may be sometimes recorded in some gastrointestinal helminthic infections. There is need to intensify efforts in achieving sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic fowls in Ijebu North, southwestern Nigeria. Keywords: domestic fowls, gastrointestinal parasites, poultry, Nigeria. INTRODUCTION The nutritional and socio-economic values of the poultry industry have long been recognised. Poultry birds constitute an important source of meat and eggs for humans. In addition, their droppings are used in growing maggots in fishing industry, and serve as reliable organic manure for cultivated soil. Also, it is no gainsay that, in developing countries, the poultry industry provide selfemployment and income for many small scale farmers who engage in domestic fowl keeping (Alders et al., 2009). In view of the continual human population explosion, especially in the developing countries, the need for enhanced sustainable progress in the poultry industry is glaring. However, a number of constraints to the development of poultry industry (including domestic fowl keeping) have been identified. Much of the constraints have been linked to disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and parasites which negatively impact the well-being and productivity of poultry birds. This problem is more noticeable in local chickens which are usually reared using the open-range system (Ruff, 1999). The recognised importance of domestic fowl keeping

2 Agbolade et al. 61 has stimulated several studies on their associated parasites in many parts of the world including Nigeria (Matur et al., 2010; Mukaratirwa and Khumalo, 2010; Nnadi and George, 2010; Mwale and Masika, 2011). Like in many other parts of Nigeria, domestic fowl keeping is common in Ijebu North area of Ogun State. However, there seems to be dearth of, at least, current information on the parasites of domestic fowls in the area. Therefore, this study aimed at providing an insight into the diversity and epidemiological pattern of the gastrointestinal parasites of local and exotic domestic fowls in Ijebu North area, southwestern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area The study area consisted of Ijebu-Igbo, Ago-Iwoye and Mamu in Ijebu North area of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. The study area is in the rainforest belt between Latitudes 6 58ʹ and 7 05ʹN, and Longitudes 3 55ʹ and 4 00ʹE. Ijebu-Igbo is the headquarter town of Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ago-Iwoye is the main seat of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Mamu is an important rural agricultural/mini-commercial community in the area. The main features of the inhabitants of these communities have been described in some previous papers (Agbolade and Akinboye, 2001; Agbolade et al., 2009). The study took place between September and November Faecal sample collection and examination Prior to faecal sample collections, domestic fowls owners were educated on the nature and sampling procedure of the study, and their permission was solicited. Eventually, only those who consented had their domestic fowls included in the study. Faecal samples were collected directly, using spatula, from the rectum of 50 exotic domestic fowls from Ijebu-Igbo, and 60 exotic and 16 local domestic fowls from Ago-Iwoye. All the domestic fowls, except two local ones from Ago-Iwoye, were females. In the laboratory, the samples were processed using floatation technique (Soulsby, 1982). 1g of each sample was mixed with little quantity of super-saturated saline solution in a test tube. Afterward the mixture was filled to the brim with the super-saturated saline solution, a clean glass slide was placed on top of the test tube, and the mixture was left for minutes. Then the slide removed and a cover slip was carefully placed on the portion having the harvested eggs/cysts. Each slide was examined with the light microscope and identification of the observed eggs/cysts was done based on their characteristic morphology. Counting of the observed species was done. Comparison of faecal examination and intestinal worm count Seven local domestic fowls (4 males, 3 females) were purchased from Mamu. Faecal sample was collected from the rectum each of the fowls using spatula. 1g of each of the faecal samples was also analysed using floatation technique as described above. However, in this case, sheather s sucrose (specific gravity 1.28) was used as the floating agent. The harvested eggs/oocysts were examined microscopically and counted. Subsequently, each of the purchased local domestic fowls was anaesthetized using chloroform and dissected. The intestinal tract of each dissected fowl was examined for helminthic parasites. The observed helminthes were identified (based on their characteristic morphology) and counted. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) determination Prior to necropsy, a venous blood sample was collected, using needle and syringe, from the brachial vein of each of the seven local domestic fowls from Mamu. Each sample was kept in a labelled EDTA bottle and later analysed for PCV using routine microhaematocrit method (Baker et al., 1998). Statistical analysis The chi-square test (χ 2 ) was used to compare prevalences among groups for statistical similarities or differences. RESULTS Overall, 37.6% (50/133) of the total domestic fowls examined for faecal endoparasite eggs and cysts were positive. The prevalence of endoparasites in examined local breed (87.0%, 20/23) was significantly higher than that of the exotic breed (27.3%, 30/110) (χ 2 = 31.18, df = 1, P < 0.01). Five nematodes were recorded which are Ascaridia galli, Capillaria sp., Heterakis gallinarum, Syngamus trachea and hookworm. A tapeworm Raillietina sp. and four protozoans including Giardia sp., Trichomonas gallinae, Eimeria sp. and Plasmodium sp. were also recorded. The prevalences and intensities or, where applicable, geometric mean intensities of the identified endoparasites from the faecal samples of the examined domestic fowls are summarised in Table 1. Among the local domestic fowls, Eimeria sp. (30.4%) was statistically most prevalent (χ 2 = 22.59, df=5, P < 0.001), while Giardia sp. (14.5%) was statistically most prevalent among the exotic ones (χ 2 = 21.40, df=8, P < 0.01). However, the total

3 62. Basic Res. J. Agric. Sci Rev. Table 1. Endoparasite eggs and oocysts in faeces of domestic fowls from Ijebu North, southwestern Nigeria No. positive (%) Intensity or mean Endoparasites Local breed Exotic breed Total (n=133) intensity (eggs or cyst/g (n=23) (n=110) faeces) A. galli 3 (13.0) 11 (10.0) 14 (10.5) 1 Capillaria sp. 3 (13.0) 9 (8.2) 12 (9.0) 1.8 H. gallinarum 2 (8.7) 7 (6.4) 9 (6.8) 1.4 Hookworm 3 (13.0) 5 (4.5) 8 (6.0) 1.1 Raillietina sp. 2 (8.7) 12 (10.9) 14 (10.5) 4.5 S. trachea 0 (0) 1 (0.9) 1 (0.8) 1 Giardia sp. 0 (0) 16 (14.5) 16 (12.0) 1.3 T. gallinae 0 (0) 11 (10.0) 11 (8.3) 5.3 Eimeria sp. 7 (30.4) 2 (1.8) 9 (6.8) 1 *Plasmodium sp. 0 (0) 1 (0.9) 1 (0.8) 1 *Number of infested red blood cell represents intensity Table 2. Intestinal worm and faecal egg count in relation to packed cell volume (PCV) in local domestic fowls from Mamu, Ijebu North, southwestern Nigeria Fowl number Intestinal helminth Faecal egg count Worm count at necropsy PCV (%) A. galli 0 1 Male 1 Capillaria sp Raillietina sp. 0 3 Male 2 Negative Male 3 Negative Male 4 A. galli Tapeworm 0 1 Female 1 Negative Female 2 Negative Female 3* A. galli Hookworm 0 8 *5 tapeworm eggs observed in faecal sample (pooled) prevalence of A. galli, Capillaria sp., H. gallinarum, hookworm, Raillietina sp., and Eimeria sp., were statistically similar (χ 2 = 2.41, df=5, P > 0.05). The intensity ranges of Capillaria sp., H. gallinarum, hookworm, Raillietina sp., Giardia sp., and T. gallinae were 1-6, 1-5, 1-2, 4-5, 1-2, and 4-7 eggs or cysts/g faeces, respectively. The double infestations observed among the infested fowls were A. galli + H. gallinarum, T. gallinae + Raillietina, T. gallinae + Eimeria, Capillaria + Eimeria, H. gallinarum + Eimeria, each with a prevalence of 2.0%. The observed relationship between adult intestinal helminth count, faecal helminth egg count and PCV is summarised in Table 2. The PCV values of the infested two males and one female were higher than the mean PCV values for the negative males (25.5±2.5) and females (33.0±1.0), respectively. One of males (Male 4) examined post-mortemly had 5 Ascaridia adults and 1 tapeworm adult, though negative for faecal eggs or cysts. DISCUSSION The presence of endoparasites in both local and exotic breeds of domestic fowls in this study poses serious concerns in view of their negative impacts on the health status and productivity of the fowls (Ruff, 1999). The impact is known to be more on the local domestic fowls which are normally given little or no care (Magwisha et al., 2002). The diversity of the recorded parasites concurs with the findings of some previous workers (Luka and Ndams, 2007; Nnadi and George, 2010). The recorded high prevalence (87.0%) in local breed agrees with previous reports (Mwale and Masika, 2011; Ohaeri and Okwum, 2013). The relative higher prevalence of endoparasites in local domestic fowls in this study is in conformity with the established phenomenon that they are more predisposed to infestations due to their roaming and feeding habits (Soulsby, 1982). Unfortunately, keeping of local domestic fowls is more common than

4 Agbolade et al. 63 that of exotic breed in Ijebu North area, southwestern Nigeria, implying that parasitic infestations constitute a threat to the socio-economic survival of many poultry farmers in the area. According to the results of this study (Table 1), A. galli, Capillaria, H. gallinarum, hookworm and Raillietina commonly occurred in both local and exotic domestic fowls. This implies that neither of the two breeds is spared from the scourge of intestinal nematode and cestode infestations in the study area. Among the local chickens, Eimeria (30.4%) had the highest prevalence contrary to the report of Matur et al. (2010) that A. galli was most prevalent in Abuja, Nigeria. This recorded relatively high prevalence of occurrence of Eimeria in local breed in this study is another cause for concern, and corroborates the fact that village chickens are often denied adequate care (Magwisha et al., 2002) including coccidiostat prophylactic treatment (Otubanjo, 2013). To the best of our knowledge, the observation that Giardia (14.5%) had the highest prevalence of all the endoparasites recorded in exotic breed of domestic fowls is the first of its kind in Ijebu North area, southwestern Nigeria. Giardia can be transmitted by ingestion of infestant cysts via flies (Otubanjo, 2013). It is common knowledge that both local and exotic domestic fowls feed on flies through which infestant cysts of Giardia may be consumed. The absence of some infestations (particularly S. trachea, Giardia and T. gallinae) in local domestic fowls in this study may be a reflection of the fewness of the breed examined. Furthermore, Plasmodium was recorded (0.9%) in exotic domestic fowls in this study. On the other hand, Plasmodium was not recorded in local domestic fowls contrary to related study in Kano State, Nigeria, in which local breed had a prevalence of 19.56% Plasmodium infestation (Karamba et al., 2012). Blood, which is the habitat of Plasmodium, may occasionally be found in faeces due to intestinal haemorrhage (Otubanjo, 2013). The absence of Plasmodium in local domestic fowls in this study may partly be another indication of the relative fewness of the breed examined. In the study area, faeces (droppings) of exotic breed are usually not treated prior to disposal. Therefore, it is not impossible for transmission of some parasites harboured by exotic breed to occur via contaminated faeces to local breed. The observed occurrence of double infestations in domestic fowls in the study area agrees with some previous workers reports that domestic birds are often infested with more than one type of parasitic animals (Nnadi and George, 2010; Okafor-Elenwo and Elenwo, 2014). In this study, the intensity of each of the recorded endoparasites seems low. Only one faecal sample per chicken was examined, and it is possible some false negatives were inadvertently encountered in this study. This view is strengthened by the post-mortem observation that one of the local breed fowls (Male 4) had adult Ascaridia and Capillaria in the intestine, though its faecal sample was egg negative. Relative reliability of parasitic helminth prevalence determination at necropsy compared to faecal sample examination has been identified (Mukaratirwa and Khumalo, 2010). In view of this, future related studies in the study area may require emphasis on post-mortem examination and/or analysis of a number of faecal samples collected at different periods and on different days. The higher values of PCV of infested local domestic fowls compared to the negative ones suggests that some other factors such as nutrition affect PCV in the local domestic fowls in the study area. Summarily, the findings of the study have shown that endoparasites are common in both local and exotic breeds of domestic fowls in Ijebu North area, Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. 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