Important Parasite in Pigeon, its Hematological Parameter and Pathology of Intestine

Para-clinical tests and gross lesion play important roles in identifying parasite disease as all organs ofpigeonsuch as skin, eyes, kidneys, liver and digestive tube can be affected by the parasites. Consequently, there is a possibility to use the feces of pigeon in order to observe parasite ovum and larva to identify the disease. This research was conducted from May to September 2011 and the number of 250 faecal samples of pigeon from mixed companion birds keeping in the cages. Faecal samples were examined by direct smear method whereas egg per gram (EPG) was counted by modified McMaster technique and centrifugal flotation method using Sheather's saturated sugar solution. In this study, Raillietinaspp, Tetramers, Sygnamus, Capillaria, Ascaridiacolombaeandoocyst protozoa, Phthiraptera, Ceratophylluscolumbae contamination were studied and the frequency were found to be 48(24.24%),16 (8.08%), 18(9.09%),28 (14.14%),8 (4.04%), 14(7.07%), 16(8.08%) and 12(6.06% )respectivelyand 38(19.19%) of pigeon had multiple infection.In this study, the birds above two years 83 (41.91%) show more resistance against worms' infestation than young birds below two years115 (58.08%). The PCV, WBC, MCV, MCH, Neutrophil and lymphocytes’ values of the infected pigeons were significantly (p<0.05) different from the non infected counterpart. Mild congestion was seen in the tissue of small and large intestine of old pigeon infected with parasites. Histopathological changes including degenerative changes in the epithelial tissues of the intestine were observed in pigeons below 2years old in comparison with above 2 years old birds.The result of this study indicates that young pigeons could be more susceptible to parasitic infection as compared to above 2 years old birds and however, these parasites did not cause any visible deleterious effects in the blood parameters and this could be due to immune response of the pigeons to parasitic infections. Key wrds: Protozoa Birds Oocyst Iran Helminthes INTRODUCTION can carry or transmit encephalitis, histoplasmosis, Poultry industry is the most effective and economical pigeon coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, pseudo-tuberculosis source of animal protein in shortest possibletime. Poultry and salmonella food poisoning. Pigeons can also carry producers are looking for some substitute of chicken fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites [3,4]. meat, which in the future will come in the form of pigeon It was shown that birds harbor ticks, fleas, mites and and quail meat to contribute towards the increase in gross other ectoparasites. The parasite bites an infected animal domestic production (GDP) through livestock sector [1,2]. and sucks in blood containing the germ. When the bug Pigeon are probably one of the most common bites, it passes along the germ to the new victim. This nuisance birds. Pigeons have adapted to life in the city occurs because parasites inject some of their saliva into and they seem to be everywhere in urban environments. the host when feeding. Over forty types of parasites live Unfortunately, the bird lovers of the world feed them and either on the birds or in the places they roost. They are they have developed a dependence upon people, thus responsible for the transmission of several hundreds viral reinforcing their dependency upon urban areas. They and bacterial agents. These diseases include plague, roost on signs, ledges, almost anywhere and they bring encephalitis, pox and meningitis. Control of these nesting material and leave droppings everywhere. Pigeons parasites is a crucial phase of the bird control project. Newcastle disease, pigeon ornithosis, cryptococcosis, World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (9): 1361-1365, 2013 1362 Unless the parasites are exterminated when the birds are (at least 3 grams). Data were collected according to the excluded from a site, the mites, fleas and ticks will seek to questionnaire prepared regarding the number of the birds, a new host, often the human inhabitants [5,6]. Therefore, number of the deaths, number of the sick birds and race of a proper bird control project will always include parasite the birds. The samples were immediately tested in extermination. The most common worms found in pigeons laboratory. are roundworms hair worms, stomach wall worms, gapeworms, strongly lids and tapeworms. The symptoms Diagnostic Methods: Faecal samples were examined by vary with the type of infestation and conceivably pigeons direct smear method whereas egg per gram (EPG) was can live with slight infestations and show no signs of counted by modified McMaster technique and centrifugal illness. Severe infestations generally cause droopiness, flotation method using Sheather's saturated sugar loss of weight and diarrhea. Gapeworms can cause solution [6]. The ectoparasites were collected as breathing problems. The best way to determine the described by Soulsby[6]. Briefly after killing the pigeons existence of worm problem is to check the droppings by anaesthesia, they were immediately placed in a [2, 7,9]. polythene bag and the parasites were collected. The The most common external parasites that pester our ectoparasites were preserved for identification purposes birds are feather lice, red mites, pigeon flies and in 70% alcohol. Subcutaneous nodules of each bird were mosquitoes. Feather lice chew up holes into the flights or fixed in 10% potassium, heated for 20 minutes in a jar cause other types of visible damage to the feathers. The containing water and the sediments were looked for common red mite can be considered as a real problem if it parasite. becomes established. It commonly hides somewhere in the loft during the day and comes out from its hiding RESULTS place at night to bite and feed on the blood of the birds. They can help to spread an assortment of diseases. The Out of 250 sample, 198 were positive with parasitic pigeon fly is probably the most dangerous parasite that infection at lest with one of the parasites and 34% were can attack the birds. It lives most of its life on the pigeons, carrying multiple infection. Symptoms of worms consist of leaving only to lay its eggs somewhere in the loft. weight loss and in the case of sever multiple worm they are found in almost all climates. They are the infestation diarrhea were seen in the pigeon. Infected most common carrier pigeon pox virus. By keeping our young birds grow slower. The parasites have been lofts clean, we can eliminate many of the places where identified in this study consisted of Raillietinaspp, mites and flies can hide their eggs. The aim of this study Capillaria, Tetramers, Ascaris, Sygnamus, oocyst was to investigate the Raillietinaspp, Tetramers, protozoa, Phthiraptera, Ceratophylluscolumbae. The Sygnamus, Capillaria, Ascaridiacolombae and oocyst prevalence of parasitic infection in pigeon has been protozoa, Phthiraptera, Ceratophylluscolumbae shown in table 1. contamination in the faecal samples of pigeon. In this study, the birds above two years 83 (41.91%) MATERIALS AND METHODS young birds below two years115 (58.08%) table 2 shows This research were conducted because of several percentages of above and below 2 years old infected unofficial reported from different clinic and veterinary pigeon. The maximum and minimum environmental head quarter of the Dam border line with Iraq, from May temperature of the area was set to 32 °C and 43°C and the to September 2011. The number of 250 faecal pigeon maximum humidity was 6%.control birds were free of any samples from mixed companion birds keeping in the cage internal and external parasites. with each other was used in this study. Twenty five birds' The differences in the mean values for haematological specific pathogen free (SPF) were managed in the parameters between the infected pigeons and non hygienically environment and care was taken to avoid any infected pigeons during the study are shown in Table 2. contamination from outside as control and were kept in The differences between infected and non infected animal house, school of veterinary sciences, Ilam pigeons for PCV, WBC, MCV, MCH, Neotrophils and University and feed both group with the same ration and Lymphocytes were significantly (p>0.05) different in ingredient. infected young pigeon than above tow years old pigeons. The tray at the bottom of the cages were completely Monocytes, Eosinophils, Hetrophils, Basophiles and RBC washed and disinfected. The fresh faeces were collected were not significantly (p>0.05) different. show more resistance against worms' infestation than the detail of type of parasitic infection, number and World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (9): 1361-1365, 2013 1363 Fig. 1: a): Tissue sections of the duodenum in the pigeon infected with different parasites. The section shows massive degenerative changes (arrows) in the epithelial papillae of the intestine. b): Transverse sections of the cecum in the pigeon infected with different worms and protozoa. The section shows massive congestion (arrows) in the sub-mucosal layer of the cecum.a): , b): ×200; H & E. Table 1: Parasitic types, number of the bird and percentages of parasite Table 3: Hematological Parameters of Non Infected and Infected Pigeons ovum in pigeon faeces Parasite No of Birds Percent Raillietinaspp 48 24.24% Capillaria 28 14.14%