Abstract
Aim: To determine seroprevalence and haematological parameters of some wild and semidomesticated birds naturally infected with avian pox virus (APV). Methods: A total of 160 birds belonging to 12 species were used for the study. Serum samples obtained from these birds were analyzed for antibodies to Avian Pox Virus (APV) using agar gel precipitation test. Natt-Herricks methods and thin blood smear technique were used for the haematological analysis. Results: APV serum antibody positivity was 90%, 100%, 80%, 100%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 70%, 100%, 90%, 80% and 80% for Speckled pigeons, domestic pigeons and Mourning collar dove, Laughing dove, Village weaver, Cut throat fire finch, Cattle egret, Helmeted guinea fowl, Rose-ringed parakeets, African silver billed, Senegal parrots and Red-billed quelea, respectively. The highest PCV of 51.0±4.0%, Hb concentration of 16.7 ± 0.8 g/dl and T.P (5.3 ± 0.2 g/dl) were obtained from Rose-ringed parakeet, African silver billed and Laughing dove respectively. The mean range values for PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and TP of all the birds in this study were between 28.0 ± 2.3 to 51.0 ± 4.0 %, 3.8 ± 0.4 to 16.4 ± 0.8 g/dl and 2.07 ± 2.02 to 5.3 ± 0.2 g/dl respectively. Also, the mean range values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of all the birds were between 78.9 ± 4.2 to 138.0 ± 22.3 fl, 28.2 ± 2.5 to 49.1 ± 7.9 pg, 78.9 ± 4.2 to 138.0 ± 22.3 fl, 28.2 ± 2.5 to 49.1 ± 7.9 pg and 31. 6 ± 1.19 to 37.7 ± 1.7 g/dl and 31. 6 ± 1.19 to 37.7 ± 1.7 g/dl, respectively. Conclusion: Avian pox virus is present in some wild and semi-domesticated birds in Zaria and could spread to commercial poultry. Key words: Seroprevalence, Haematology, Wild birds.
Highlights
Birds serve numerous functions in the economy of many nations in terms of meat and egg supply apart from their value as a source of income among peasant (Nuru, 1992).In Nigerian, poultry consist of about 10 million local chicken, 45 million guinea fowls, and 1 million each of turkeys, pigeon and ducks
No information on the estimated number of wild birdsin Nigeria.Guinea fowls and pigeons are semi domesticated birds that are kept in towns and villages; and are abundant in the wild in African continent, (Oladele et al, 2005).Domestic and wild birds have been documented to be susceptible to some viral diseases
This usually results in a serious problem that lead to decrease in egg production, low quality of meat and poor productivity performance by the bird, which could make the birds more susceptible to avian pox infections, (Olayemi et al, 2002).To the best of our knowledge, there is no information on seroprevalence and haematological studies of some wild and semi domesticated birds naturally infected with avian pox virusin Zaria, Northern, Nigeria
Summary
Birds serve numerous functions in the economy of many nations in terms of meat and egg supply apart from their value as a source of income among peasant (Nuru, 1992).In Nigerian, poultry consist of about 10 million local chicken, 45 million guinea fowls, and 1 million each of turkeys, pigeon and ducks. AVIAN POX VIRUS birds on organized farms, but are very difficult where movements are unrestricted It is these unrestricted domestic and wild birds that maintain the virulent viruses and bacteria in circulation, challenging continuously birds on the commercial poultry farm, (Newathe and Lamorde, 1982; Olayemi and Fagbohun, 2006).Avian pox, a viral disease of birds is caused by one of the larger viruses of the pox virus group. This relatively slow-developing disease is characterized in birds by discrete, proliferative lesion on the skin of the toes, legs or head and or mucous membranes of the mouth and upper respiratory tract. It is pertinent to determine the seroprevalence and haematological parameters of these important avian species in relation to avian pox, which is an important disease
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