[Intestinal parasites of parrots].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine a parasitic species composition, prevalence and intensity of infection in selected parrots.


METHODS
The studies were carried out on faecal samples of budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus (n = 36), cockatiels Nymphicus hollandicus (n = 21), grey parrots Psittacus erithacus (n = 18), eastern rosella Platycercus eximius (n = 10) and senegal parrots Poicephalus senegalus (n = 10) using the Willis-Schlaff and McMaster's methods.


RESULTS
Protozoans (Isosporidae and Eimeriidae) and nematodes (Ascarididae, Capillaridae and Heterakidae) were detected in the tested samples. Coccidian oocysts were detected in all examined parrots. Isospora and Eimeria oocysts were found in 52.9% Melopsittacus undulatus, 60% Poicephalus senegalus and 66.7% Psittacus erithacus. Mean number of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) was high: from about 270 to 1500 depending on both parasite and host species. Three species of parrots were infected with the nematodes (Nymphicus hollandicus and Poicephalus senegalus were free from this infection), but only Ascaridia platycerci was present in these hosts, with the highest prevalence (20%) and highest mean number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG = 1242) in Platycercus eximinus. Heterakis gallinarum was observed only in Psittacus erithacus; 16.6% individuals were infected, and EPG was 212. The highest intensity of infection with nematodes of Ascarididae and Capillaridae was in Platycercus eximius. EPG in this species of parrots was 1242 and 2480, respectively. The obtained results show that introduction of parasitological prophylaxis programs is necessary, especially in the larger birds' farmings and zoological shops.
Balicka-Ramisz
Aleksandra
A
Katedra Higieny Zwierzat i Profilaktyki, Akademia Rolnicza, ul. Judyma 6, 71-466 Szczecin. aleksandra.balicka-ramisz@biot.ar.szczecin.pl
Tomza-Marciniak
Agnieszka
A
Pilarczyk
Bogumiła
B
Wieczorek-Dabrowska
Marta
M
Bakowska
Małgorzata
M
D000818:Animals; D017162:Ascaridida / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D002195:Capillaria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003044:Coccidia / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046410:Cockatoos / Q000469:parasitology; D004539:Eimeria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007549:Isospora / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046408:Melopsittacus / Q000469:parasitology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010311:Parrots / Q000469:parasitology*; D011044:Poland; D015995:Prevalence; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011531:Proventriculus / Q000469:parasitology; D011563:Psittaciformes / Q000469:parasitology; D013045:Species Specificity