Prevalence of blood protozoan parasites of avian species in Nsukka area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
A total of 165 avian species (110 chickens, 15 turkeys, 12 ducks, 10 each of geese and guinea fowls, and 8 pigeons) were examined for blood protozoan parasites. Blood samples were collected from the wing veins and smears with Giemsa stain. Plasmodium spp. were found in 2 chickens (1.6%) and 7 turkeys (46.6%). 5 turkeys were clinical cases. 3 (37.5%) of the pigeons were positive for Haemoproteus spp. No blood parasites were found in geese, ducks, and guinea fowls. The results show that avian malaria can constitute a health problem in poultry, especially turkeys, in Nigeria. The avian species may act as a reservoir host for human malaria parasites.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Anambra State.
L J
LJ
Orajaka
L C
LC
Nweze
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000469:parasitology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000469:parasitology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004372:Ducks / Q000469:parasitology; D005777:Geese / Q000469:parasitology; D008289:Malaria, Avian / Q000453:epidemiology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal; D014422:Turkeys / Q000469:parasitology