title: Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of local chickens from selected communities in Nsukka region of south eastern Nigeria.
abstract: The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of local chickens in Nsukka region of Southeastern Nigeria was studied using 125 free range local birds purchased from four communities in Nsukka zone namely, Obollo-afor, Orba, Nsukka urban and Owerre Eze-orba. The birds were sacrificed humanely and their oesophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine and caecum examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths. Worms when present were isolated and identified using standard parasitological procedures. The study identified four species of cestodes namelyRaillietina echinobothridia, R. tetragona, R. cesticillusandChoanotaenia infundibulumand two species of nematodes namely,Ascaridia galliandHeterakis gallinarum.Results obtained showed 96.8 % prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in the birds with cestodes being the more prevalent class (70.4 %).Raillietina sppwas the most prevalent cestode encountered andA. gallithe most prevalent nematode. Prevalence rates of infections recorded 14.4 % for nematode species, 26.4 % for cestodes and 56 % for mixed infections of nematodes and cestodes. It was concluded that local chickens are common in the area and could serve as a potential source of helminth infections to intensively managed birds in the study area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Idika
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ; Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Obi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ezeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Iheagwam
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Njoku
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Nwosu
keywords: Cestodes; Gastrointestinal parasites; Local chicken; Nematodes; Nigeria; Prevalence