Distribution pattern of intestinal helminths in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Beni-Suef province, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 6511, Egypt

2 Macro International Group Pharmaceutical, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Parasitic helminths of pigeons and turkeys are worldwide spread causing
mortalities and considerable economic losses. Accordingly, intestinal tracts of
domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and domestic turkeys (Meleagris
gallopavo) were examined in Beni-Suef province, Egypt to detect their helminth
fauna. A total of 740 intestinal samples from pigeons and 100 from turkeys were
investigated during the period from June 2015 to May 2016. The overall
prevalence of recovered helminths was 11.76% (87/740) in pigeons. The recovered
species were identified as two trematodes, 5 cestodes and 4 nematodes.
Digeneans were Brachylaima cribbi (1/740; 0.14%) and unidentified Brachylaima
sp. (0.14%). Cestodal species were identified as Raillietina echinobothrida (33/740;
4.46%), Raillietina cesticillus (7/740; 0.95%), Raillietina tetragona (7/740; 0.95%),
Cotugnia digonopora (5/740; 0.68%) and Hymenolepis carioca (2/740; 0.27%).
Among cestodes, R. echinobothrida was the most predominant one. Recovered
nematodal species were Ascaridia columbae (22/740; 3%), Subulura brumpti
(6/740; 0.81%), Heterakis gallinarum (3/740; 0.41%) and Capillaria spp. (2/740;
0.27%). Ascaridia dissimilis was the only helminth species detected in turkeys
(6/100; 6%). The highest prevalence of infection was seen in winter and summer.
Tapeworms and round worms were highly prevalent at the summer. The recorded
trematodal infection was found in winter. To the best of author's knowledge, adult
Brachylaima spp. was first recorded from pigeons in Egypt. Veterinarians and
workers of poultry industry must be aware towards the potential role of
arthropods as vectors of such helminths among both domestic and wild birds.

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