Studies on Parasitic Prevalence in Pet Birds from Punjab, Pakistan Estudos De Prevalência Parasítica Em Pássaros De Estimação De Punjab, Paquistão
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ISSN 1519-6984 (Print) ISSN 1678-4375 (Online) THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT Original Article Studies on parasitic prevalence in pet birds from Punjab, Pakistan Estudos de prevalência parasítica em pássaros de estimação de Punjab, Paquistão T. Sadafa , A. Javida , A. Hussaina , S. M. Bukharia , S. M. Hussainb , Q. ul Aina , S. Ashrafc , S. Sulemana , M. Saleema , S. M. Azamd , U. Ahmada , W. Alia aUniversity of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, Lahore, Pakistan bGovernment College University, Department of Zoology, Faisalabad, Pakistan cThe University of Lahore, Department of Zoology, Sargodha Campus, Sargodha, Pakistan d University of Education Lahore, Department of Zoology, Lahore, Pakistan Abstract During this one year study, blood and fecal samples of doves (Zenaida asiatica), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), pigeons (Columba livia), partridges (Alectoris chukar), turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and goose (Chen caerulescens) were collected to assess the parasitic prevalence in these birds. The birds were kept at Avian Conservation and Research Center, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. All these avian species were kept in separate cages and their entire body was inspected on regularly basis to record external parasites. For internal parasites, 100 blood and 100 fecal samples for each species were analyzed. During present study, two species of ectoparasites i.e. fowl ticks (Args persicus) and mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) while 17 species of endoparasites; three from blood and 14 from fecal samples were identified. Prevalence of blood parasites was Plasmodium juxtanucleare 29.3%, Aegyptinella pullorum 15% and Leucoctoyzoon simond 13%. Parasitic species recorded from fecal samples included 6 species of nematodes viz. Syngamus trachea with parasitic prevalence of 50%, Capillaria anatis 40%, Capillaria annulata 37.5%, Heterakis gallinarum 28.3%, Ascardia galli 24% and Allodpa suctoria 2%. Similarly, two species of trematodes viz. Prosthogonimus ovatus having parasitic prevalence of 12.1% and Prosthogonimus macrorchis 9.1% were also recorded from fecal samples of the birds. Single cestode species Raillietina echinobothrida having parasitic prevalence of 27% and 3 protozoan species i.e. Eimeria maxima having prevalence 20.1%, Histomonas meleagridis 8% and Giardia lamblia 5.3% were recorded. In our recommendation, proper medication and sanitation of the bird’s houses and cages is recommended to avoid parasites. Keywords: Plasmodium, blood parasites, domestic birds, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon. Resumo Durante este estudo de um ano, amostras de sangue e fezes de pombos (Zenaida asiatica), patos (Anas platyrhynchos), pombos (Columba livia), perdizes (Alectoris chukar), perus (Meleagris gallopavo) e ganso (Chen caerulescens) foram coletados para avaliar a prevalência de parasitas nessas aves. As aves foram mantidas no Centro de Conservação e Pesquisa de Aves, Departamento de Vida Selvagem e Ecologia, Universidade de Veterinária e Ciências Animais, Lahore. Todas essas espécies de aves foram mantidas em gaiolas separadas e todo o seu corpo foi inspecionado regularmente para registrar parasitas externos. Para parasitas internos, foram analisadas 100 amostras de sangue e 100 amostras fecais de cada espécie. Durante o presente estudo, duas espécies de ectoparasitas, ou seja, carrapatos de aves (Args persicus) e ácaros (Dermanyssus gallinae), enquanto 17 espécies de endoparasitas, três de sangue e 14 de amostras fecais, foram identificadas. Os parasitas sanguíneos prevalentes foram Plasmodium juxtanucleare, 29,3%, Aegyptinella pullorum, 15%, e Leucoctoyzoon simond, 13%. As espécies parasitas registradas em amostras fecais incluíram 6 espécies de nematoides viz. Syngamus traqueia com prevalência parasitária de 50%, Capillaria anatis, 40%, Capillaria annulata, 37,5%, Heterakis gallinarum, 28,3%, Ascardia galli, 24% e Allodpa suctoria, 2%. Da mesma forma, duas espécies de trematódeos viz. Prosthogonimus ovatus com prevalência parasitária de 12,1% e Prosthogonimus macrorchis, 9,1%, também foram registrados nas amostras fecais das aves. Espécies de cestoide único Raillietina echinobothrida com prevalência parasitária de 27% e 3 espécies de protozoários, ou seja, Eimeria maxima tendo prevalência de 20,1%, Histomonas meleagridis, 8%, e Giardia lamblia, 5,3%, foram registradas. Em nossa recomendação, são indicados medicação adequada e saneamento das casas e gaiolas dos pássaros para evitar parasitas. Palavras-chave: Plasmodium, parasitas sanguíneos, aves domésticas, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon. *e-mail: [email protected] Received: December 4, 2020 – Accepted: February 3, 2021 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, vol. 83, e246229 | https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.246229 1/8 Sadaf, T. et al. 1. Introduction 2.3. Fecal sampling and parasites identification Commercial farmers prefer confined facilities for birds Fresh fecal samples (n = 100) for each of the captive as density of the birds is higher and these facilities aid species were collected and brought to the laboratory for to boost their populations. However, higher densities analysis through Smear method. Simple floatation and sedimentation techniques were used to detect parasitic of the birds result in transmission of parasitic agents oocytes or eggs. Later on, quantitative fecal sample (Krystianiak et al., 2007) and pathogenic microbes that examination, in term of oocysts per gram of feces was hinder growth and egg production (Dranzoa et al., 1999). conducted using Macmaster’s egg counting technique. The In birds, disease causing species like roundworms reduce oocytes were repeatedly examined for micrometery. The breeding success and species like Syngamus trachea, species were identified through microscopic examination Ascaridia spp, Heterakis isolonche, Capillaria spp. and of oocysts and eggs (Atkinson CT et al. 2009). Eimeria spp. cause coccidiosis (Goldova et al., 1993). Blood parasites viz. Plasmodium spp. and Leukocytozoon spp. are 2.4. Blood sampling and parasites analysis common in feral as well as domestic birds which result in higher mortalities (Aguirre et al., 1986). Blood samples (n = 100) from brachial vein of each of the In many countries, birds are reared on ground in aviaries avian species including were collected for endoparasites where they remain in permanent contact with soil. The identification. A drop of fresh blood was placed on a clean glass slide and smear was prepared. Methyl alcohol was soil serves as reservoir for larval insects and helminthes. used for smear fixation and staining was carried out These factors clearly reflect the presence of wide range through Giemsa stain for 5 to 10 minutes. The stained of parasites in birds kept in free-range rearing facilities slides were washed with distilled water, dried out and and in turn result in low production (Permin et al., 1997). observed under light microscope. Taxonomic keys were Amongst parasitic diseases, protozoan diseases especially used to precisely identify the parasitic species. coccidiosis is top of the list of parasites affecting birds worldwide and result in diarrhea, poor growth, and higher mortalities especially in young birds. Moreover, in 3. Results and Discussion confined facilities, birds are more susceptible to parasites and pathogenic microorganisms (Krystianiak et al., 2007). Temporal and spatial variations in parasitic prevalence Poor families keep many avian species as domestic are well documented and these variations are attributed poultry and use these birds as source of food and recreation. with intermediate hosts (Cooper, 2005). Helminth species However, due to apparent less importance of these birds, are highly diverse and are greatly distributed in Asia little attention in terms of research has been dedicated (Pandey et al. 1992; Bagust, 1994). During present study, a towards these species and there is paucity of knowledge total of nine species of helminthes were recorded including on health, socio-economic aspects, importance and six species of nematodes Syngamus trachea, Capillaria management strategies of these birds. Understanding annulata, C. anatis, Ascardia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and parasitic prevalence in poultry birds will aid in developing Allodopa suctoria, two species of trematodes Prosthogonimus strategies to manage avian population (Sol and Lefebvre, ovatus, P. macrorchis and one species of cestode Raillietina 2000; Adriano and Cordeiro, 2001). Present study was echinobothrida. Ascardia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and therefore planned to study the parasitic prevalence in Capillaria annulata (Table 1) are common parasitic species some captive avian species. of commercial poultry (Permin et al. 1997). Important helminthic diseases of poultry are ascariodiosis and cestodiosis (Fatihu et al. 1991). One hundred helminth 2. Materials and Methods species have been identified from wild and domesticated avian species. Parasitic infections in poultry may result in 2.1. Sampling reduction in growth and egg laying (Van Hemert et al., Present one year study was conducted to check the 2019). Nematodes have been recorded from poultry and parasitic prevalence in doves (Zenaida asiatica),