Raillietina Research Articles

Parasitic affections of domesticated pigeons (Columba livia) in Jammu, India

The parasitic fauna of domesticated pigeons in Jammu region were not recorded and so a survey was undertaken amongst a population of approximately 4000 birds in twelve areas around Jammu. Ectoparasites and haemoprotozoa from live birds, and endoparasites from dead birds were recorded. Ova shed in feces were also screened in four different seasons. Ectoparasites recovered include Columbicola columbae, Campanulotes bidentatus, Pseudolynchia canariensis, Ctenocephalides sp., Psoroptes sp. A total of 22 (36.67%) out 60 gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of pigeons were positive for helminthic endoparasites including Raillietina sp. (25%; 15/60); Ascaridia sp. (5%; 3/60) and the hairworm Capillaria sp. (6.67%; 4/60). coccidian (58.3%; 35/60), cryptosporidian parasites (50.0%; 5/10), Trichomonas gallinae (40%; 12/30) and haemoprotozoal schizogony tissue stages (45.0%; 27/60) were observed in cloacal, oro-pharyngeal and tissue samples from post-mortem materials. Prevalence of cestodes was relatively more than nematodes perhaps due to the pigeon’s access to intermediate hosts of the cestodes. Blood smears showed the presence of Haemoproteus columbae gametocytes (26.6%; 8/30). Twenty-four pooled fecal samples examined from six select villages revealed presence of different parasitic ova. A higher prevalence of parasitic eggs was noted in the winters. Ascarid eggs were particularly prevalent during monsoon and post monsoon. Raillietina sp. was the most common cestode with lowered prevalence in the peak summers. It is speculated that close confinement of the domesticated birds are responsible for increased parasitic load and their dissemination. The parasitic data generated in the study may be helpful in estimating the faunistic prevalence of different parasites for strategic management of such parasitism during various seasons.

A study of ecto- and endo-parasites of domestic pigeons in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. 100 nestlings and 100 adult pigeons were examined for the presence of ecto and endoparasites. 159 pigeons (79.5%) were infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal helminthes, 124 (62%) had one or more ectoparasites and 74 (37%) were infected with haemoparasites. The 3 subfamilies represented two cestodes and one nematode, whereas no trematodes were found. Three species of helminthes Raillietina tetragona (6%), Raillietina echinobothrida (63%) and Ascaridia galli (15.5%) were identified. Three different species of ectoparasites (Pseudolynchia canariensis (61.5%), Menocanthus stramineus (0.5%) and Menopon gallinae (0.5%), and 1 haemoparasite species Haemoproteus columbae were identified. Prevalence of gastrointestinal worms was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in adults than in nestlings. Nestlings appeared to be less susceptible to gastrointestinal cestodes but more susceptible to nematodes compared with adults. P. canariensis were found in both nestlings and adults pigeons while M. stramineus and M. gallinae were found in adult only. Prevalence of ectoparasites was not statistically significant (P < 1) between the two age groups. The prevalence of H. columbae was statistically higher (P < 0.001) in adults. Further studies are recommended in assessing the effects of the parasites on the pigeons’ health and production.

Two cestode species in Brazilian turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo (Galliformes, Phasianidae): pathology induced by Hymenolepis cantaniana and occurrence of Raillietina tetragona

Duas especies de cestoides em perus, Meleagris gallopavo (Galliformes, Phasianidae), no Brazil: patologia induzida por Hymenolepis cantaniana e ocorencia de Raillietina tetragona. A patologia induzida em perus pelo cestoide H. cantaniana e descrita, com dados sobre prevalencia, intensidade media e amplitude das cargas parasitarias. H. cantaniana ocorreu com urna prevalencia de 5.0% nas 40 aves examinadas, com intensidade media de 17.5 e amplitude de 14-21 especimes de cestoides. Nao foram observadas lesoes macroscopicas nos perus parasitados. As lesoes provocadas por H. cantaniana eram representadas, principalmente, ou por multiplos segmentos dos parasitos, acompanhados por discreta reacao inflamatoria mista com a presera de celulas mononucleares e heterofilos, ou por severos processos inflamatorios transmurais, caracterizados pela presera de celulas mononucleares, ao longo das carnadas muscular e serosa das vilosidades e criptas intestinais. Estes representam os primeiros achados patologicos relacionados a presera de cestoides em perus a serem relatados no Brasil. Raillietina tetragona, nao patogenica para as aves investigadas, ocorreu com baixa prevalencia e amplitude de infeccao de 2.5% e 1-2 parasitos, respectivamente.