Ectoparasitic fauna of poultry species in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Ectoparasitic fauna of 397 conveniently sampled domestic birds consisting of 213 chickens, 128 turkeys, 21 ducks, 19 guinea fowls, 8 pigeons and 8 geese were investigated in Maiduguri, Borno State. A total of one hundred and fifty-two 152 (38.29%) birds were infested with one ectoparasitic species or the other comprising of 115 (54.00%) chickens, 33 (25.78%) turkeys, 1 (5.26%) guinea fowl and 3 (37.50%) pigeons. No infestation was encountered among geese and ducks examined. The infestation rate differed significantly based on sex and age (p<0.05), but not the management system. Similarly, the occurrence varied significantly (p<0.05) based on locations of sampling (p<0.00001) and species of poultry examined (p<0.000049). Furthermore, 116 (29.21%) of the total birds examined had a single infestation with either louse, tick or mite species, while 36(9.06%) birds had mixed infestation with species from two or more of these ectoparasitic groups. Among the parasites encountered, lice present on 146 (36.77%) birds were the most prevalent, followed by mites 28(7.05%) and ticks 15(3.78%). Nine different species of ectoparasites belonging to the orders Mallophaga and Acarina were identified in the study. Menopon gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Menacanthus stramineus, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae and Columbicola columbae were the lice identified, while Cnemidocoptes mutans and Ornithonyssus bursa were the only species of mite identified. The poultry tick, Argas persicus was the only tick species found. Conclusively, the study revealed a high but variable burden of ectoparasitic infestation among poultry species examined, and that ectoparasites are common in minor poultry species as they do occur in chickens under different management systems in the study area. The need to investigate the diverse effects of ectoparasitism on the different poultry species is suggested here

Gastrointestinal parasites and management of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) in north-eastern Nigeria

The study investigated the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and the effect of some epidemiological factors on the gastrointestinal parasitism of pigs from southern Adamawa State. Three hundred (300) faecal samples were collected from pigs of both sexes and varying ages from seven local Government areas of Southern Adamawa State and were analyzed coprologically using standard floatation technique. Information on epidemiological variables of the sampled pigs was obtained from farms by means of a well structured questionnaire. An overall infection rate of 84.0% was encountered in this study. Five parasite species (Ascaris suum, Ancylostoma spp, Trichuris spp, Trichinella spiralis and Coccidial oocyst) were found during the study. There was a statistical significant (p<0.05) variation in infection among the Local Government areas of study. Female pigs were more infected significantly (p<0.05) than their male counterparts. Also, pigs aged > 12 months were significantly (p<0.05) infected with the parasites than the younger pigs. The distribution of the parasites species showed statistically significant variations (p<0.05) based on the zootechnic categories, health status and the history of deworming.This study has shown high occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pigs in Adamawa State, with most of the parasites having zoonotic potential.Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, Pig, Adamawa State, Occurrence, Faecal sampl

Gastrointestinal helminths and external parasites of domestic rats trapped from residential areas within Maiduguri Municipality, Nigeria

A survey of domestic rats was conducted to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and external parasites in Maiduguri municipal between February and June 2015. Rats were randomly collected from residential sites within Maiduguri metropolis by trapping using mechanical and glue board traps.  Trapped rats were examined for external parasites, humanely sacrificed and subjected to detailed  postmortem examination for recovery of gastrointestinal helminths using standard methods. Parasites were identified using key morphological characteristics. Out of 85 rats sampled in the study, a total of 7(8.2%) were positive for gastrointestinal helminths. The only species of helminth identified was Hymenolepis  diminuta. There was no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among different  age groups and sexes (P>0.05). The overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 9.4% and there was no  significant difference in prevalence rates among different age groups and sexes (P>0.05). The prevalence  of flea (5.9%) was higher than lice (3.5%). The two species of ectoparasites identified in the study were  Ctenocephalides canis (5.9%) and Polyplax spinulosa (3.5%). It was concluded from this study that  domestic rats trapped from Maiduguri harbor some species of endoparasites and ectoparasites which are  potentially zoonotic or may serve as vectors of important zoonotic pathogens.Keywords: Domestic rats, Ecto-parasites, Gastrointestinal helminths, Maiduguri, Prevalenc

Ectoparasitic fauna of poultry species in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Ectoparasitic fauna of 397 conveniently sampled domestic birds consisting of 213 chickens, 128 turkeys, 21 ducks, 19 guinea fowls, 8 pigeons and 8 geese were investigated in Maiduguri, Borno State. A total of one hundred and fifty-two 152 (38.29%) birds were infested with one ectoparasitic species or the other comprising of 115 (54.00%) chickens, 33 (25.78%) turkeys, 1 (5.26%) guinea fowl and 3 (37.50%) pigeons. No infestation was encountered among geese and ducks examined. The infestation rate differed significantly based on sex and age (p&lt;0.05), but not the management system. Similarly, the occurrence varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) based on locations of sampling (p&lt;0.00001) and species of poultry examined (p&lt;0.000049). Furthermore, 116 (29.21%) of the total birds examined had a single infestation with either louse, tick or mite species, while 36(9.06%) birds had mixed infestation with species from two or more of these ectoparasitic groups. Among the parasites encountered, lice present on 146 (36.77%) birds were the most prevalent, followed by mites 28(7.05%) and ticks 15(3.78%). Nine different species of ectoparasites belonging to the orders Mallophaga and Acarina were identified in the study. Menopon gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Menacanthus stramineus, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae and Columbicola columbae were the lice identified, while Cnemidocoptes mutans and Ornithonyssus bursa were the only species of mite identified. The poultry tick, Argas persicus was the only tick species found. Conclusively, the study revealed a high but variable burden of ectoparasitic infestation among poultry species examined, and that ectoparasites are common in minor poultry species as they do occur in chickens under different management systems in the study area. The need to investigate the diverse effects of ectoparasitism on the different poultry species is suggested here.</jats:p