Prevalence of coccidia in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789) in Benghazi city, Libya

Ghazala Sadaga,Hussien Amgawer,Samira Al-Agouri,Nadia Alrwab,Mohamed Idris Alshelmani

doi:10.13170/ajas.6.2.20374

Ghazala Sadaga, Hussien Amgawer

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13170/ajas.6.2.20374

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Abstract

Pigeon coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria spp; a protozoan parasite which limits birds’ productivity by causing severe illness. The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of coccidiosis on domestic pigeon in Libya. Intestinal contents of 100 pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789) were collected within a period of five months; January to May 2020. The intestinal content was examined to detect of coccidian oocysts infection on the randomly selected birds. A total of 100 faecal samples were investigated with two methods;Willis-Schaafs (qualitative) and McMaster’s (quantitative). The results obtained showed that the number of infected Pigeons was 72 pigeons (72%) of the total number of Pigeons. The prevalence was higher in female than that of males, where the total of infected females was 50 (69.4 %) and infected males was 22 (30.6%). The results showed that the highest incidence of Eimeria labbeana was observed in the young pigeons than that of adults, where the total number of young pigeons was 66 (91.7 %), and adult pigeon was 6 (8.3 %).

Highlights

Pigeons often live in nature contacting with the other species of poultry
The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of coccidiosis on domestic pigeon in Libya
The oocysts were isolated in the test material was E. labbeana

Summary

Introduction

Pigeons often live in nature contacting with the other species of poultry. This relationship with the other fowls leads to transfer and spread the diseases. In Libya, pigeons are mainly reared for fancy, performing purposes and meat consumption (Eljadar et al, 2012; Alkharigy et al, 2018). These birds have a size ranged between 30.5 – 35.5 cm, and body weight ranging from 180 – 355 g (De La Ossa V et al, 2017). Increase the susceptibility to various diseases such as parasites, including salmonellosis or coccidiosis (Balicka-Ramisz and Pilarczyk, 2014a)

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