Gross and microscopic changes associated with intestinal parasitism of local scavenging chickens in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of intestinal parasitism and gross and microscopic lesions in local scavenging chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) was carried out at the Maiduguri live bird market. A total of 100 intestinal samples were collected from the slaughter slab immediately after slaughter for gross, microscopic and parasitological examinations using standard procedures. Out of the 100 intestinal samples collected 56% were found to be harbouring helminthes ranging from Ascaridia spp (18%), Heterakis spp (8%), Rallietina spp (13%), Choanotaenia spp (3%) and Hymenolepis spp (3%). Others showed mixed infections of two or more parasites at 11%. The prevalence was higher in adult chickens (46%) than in young chickens (10%) and also higher in males (34%) than in females (22%). Gross lesions observed included nodule formation, haemorrhages and nodular/haemorrhagic lesions; while microscopic lesions seen included matting and stunting of intestinal villi, loss of crypts and goblet cell hyperplasia. Others were epithelial desquamation and necrosis with leucocytic aggregation and circumscribed eosinophilic aggregation in the submucosa. Conclusively, the overall prevalence of 56% of intestinal parasitism observed among local scavenging chickens in the study suggests endemicity of the disease condition in the study area. Also, age and sex appear to be risk factors associated with the incidence of intestinal parasitism in local scavenging chickens. Therefore, there is a need to apply strict biosecurity and good sanitary measures coupled with regular deworming of birds to serve as control and preventive measures. This will help to boost production, improve the economy and provide more protein to the populace.