A study on the presence of leucocytozoonosis in pigeon and chicken of hilly districts of Bangladesh

*Corresponding Author’s Email : [email protected] Tel.: +8801917379549 Presence of Leucocytozoonosis in pigeon and chicken and the pathology it produced were investigated in four (4) selected districts of Bangladesh (Khagrachari, Bandarban, Sylhet and Sunamgonj) during the period of January to December’ 2011. A total of 200 samples (live birds) were collected randomly. Both ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations were performed along with microscopy of blood and affected tissue samples and collection of data using well-designed questionnaire. A total of 100 pigeons and 100 chickens were examined of which overall 2% pigeon and 12% chicken were found to be infected by Leucocytozoon sp. Leucocytozoon belonging to two species were identified. Identified species were Leucocytozoon marchouxi in pigeons and Leucocytozoon caulleryi in chicken. Pathological lesions were also observed. The suspected organs such as liver, lungs, kidney, heart, bursa and intestine were apparently normal on gross observation. However, numerous microgametocyte and macrogametocytes of Leucocytozoon were seen in many blood vessels of the organs examined. Oval to irregular shape gametocytes were observed in vessels of the affected organs. Small necrotic foci were observed in the liver upon histopathological study.