Cross-sectional survey on helminth infections of chickens in the Samsun region, Turkey

A cross-sectional survey was performed to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections in 185 chickens from nine districts in the Samsun region, northern Turkey between July 1999 and June 2000. In total, 88% of 83 scavenging chickens and 4% of 52 layers from laying batteries were infected, but none of the 50 broilers harboured helminths in the alimentary tract or trachea. The difference in prevalence was statistically significant among broilers, layers from laying batteries and scavenging chickens. A total of 16 different species were detected. The helminth species found were: Davainea proglottina (23%), Raillietina echinobothrida (13%), Raillietina cesticillus (12%), Hymenolepis carioca (10%), Raillietina tetragona (6%), Choanotaenia. infundibulum (2%), Amoebotaenia cuneata (2%), Echinoparyhium recurvatum (1%), Echinostoma revolutum (1%), Heterakis gallinarum (29%), Ascaridia galli (16%), Capillaria caudinflata (12%), Capillaria retusa (6%), Capillaria bursata (4%), Capillaria annulata (1%) and Syngamus trachea (2%).     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in different poultry production systems

A cross-sectional prevalence study of gastrointestinal helminths in Danish poultry production systems was conducted on 268 adult chickens selected at random from 16 farms in Denmark from October 1994 to October 1995. The trachea and the gastrointestinal tract of each bird was examined for the presence of helminths. In the free-range/organic systems the following helminths were found: Ascaridia galli (63.8%), Heterakis gallinarum (72.5%), Capillaria obsignata (53.6%), Capillaria anatis (31.9%) and Capillaria caudinflata (1.5%). In the deep-litter systems: A. galli (41.9%), H. gallinarum (19.4%) and C. obsignata (51.6%). In the battery cages: A. galli (5%) and Raillietina cesticillus or Choanotaenia infundibulum (3.3%). Exact identification of the cestodes was not possible because of missing scolexices. In the broiler/parent system: C. obsignata (1.6%), and finally for the backyard system: A. galli (37.5%) H. gallinarum (68.8%), C. obsignata (50.0%), C. anatis (56.3%) and C. caudinflata (6.3%). The results confirm the higher risk of helminth infections in free-range and backyard systems but prevalence may also be high in deep litter systems.     

Parasitic infections of the grey-breasted helmet guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris galeata) in Nigeria

The major helminth parasites found in wild, semi-wild and golden Sovereign stock guinea fowl were Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli, Capillaria caudinflata, Raillietina tetragona and R. echinobothrida, while Eimeria species was the most important gastro-intestinal protozoan parasite. The incidence of the latter was higher in the semi-wild stock than in the wild stock. Necropsy of dead guinea-fowl indicated that A. galli, H. gallinarum and Eimeria species were indeed responsible for their deaths, especially in the young birds. Parasites found in blood smears were Leucocytozoon sp., Plasmodium sp. and Aegyptianella pullorum. The only tick found, Argas persicus, was on a few semi-wild stock, while lice of genus Damalinia were found only on wild birds.     

Prevalence of helminth parasites in free-range chickens from selected rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa

A total of 79 chickens were randomly collected from 4 rural localities and processed to detect the presence of helminth parasites and their prevalences. Sixteen helminth species comprising 12 nematode and 4 cestode species were recorded from the 4 localities. Syngamus trachea and Cyathostoma spp. were the only helminth species recovered from the respiratory tract and the rest of the helminth species were from the gastrointestinal tract. The most prevalent nematode species across the 4 localities were Heterakis gallinarum (prevalence range 80-94.4%), Gongylonema ingluvicola (43.3-867%), Tetrameres american (53.3-66.7%) and Ascaridia galli (22.2-43.8%) and for cestode species, Raillietina tetragona (16.7-40%) and Skrijabinia cesticillus (3.3-13.3%) were the most prevalent in that order. Heterakis gallinarum and T americana had the highest intensity of infection in chickens across all the rural areas compared with other helminth species. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in the sex distribution for As. galli, Baruscapillaria obsignata (syn. Capillaria obsignata), Eucoleus annulatus (syn. Capillaria annulata), Eucoleus contortus (syn. Capillaria contorta) and Subulura suctoria among the 4 rural areas. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the intensity of infection of both males and females for H. gallinarum and T americana across the 4 localities studied. Tetrameres americana, A. galli, C. obsignata and C. annulata had prevalence and number of females higher than that of males, while H. gallinarum showed the opposite. Prevalence of H. gallinarum and T. americana as determined by faecal egg count were much lower compared with the prevalence as determined by post mortem examination, confirming the limitation of using faecal samples in determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in chickens.     

Ivermectin in the treatment of helminthiasis in caged raised adult guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas)

The treatment of natural infections of helminthiasis in caged raised guinea-fowls indicates a high efficacy of ivermectin in the elimination of infection due to both juvenile and adult stages of Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli, Subulura suctoria, Raillietina spp. and Capillaria caudinflata at dose levels of 0.07 mg/kg and 0.14 mg/kg per adult bird, subcutaneously administered. Guinea-fowls treated responded with no observable side effect and remained clean of any helminth infection for over 6 weeks. Discussion on the broad-spectrum and cost-effectiveness of the drug are briefly mentioned.     

Seasonal dynamics of the occurrence of parasites in the digestive tract in poultry]

The extensity of digestive tract infection with different parasites in domestic fowl kept on large and small farms was diagnosed in individual months of the years 1986-1989. The obtained results were confronted with the values of average monthly temperatures and rainfall sums in individual months of the above-mentioned period. The numbers of birds examined in individual months of the years 1986-1989 were as follows: 105 to 234 from large farms and 32 to 112 from small farms. The numbers of examined chicks from small farms were lowest in winter, and on the other hand highest in summer. The numbers of examined fowl from large farms varied from month to month. Particularly Coccidia (average extensity 12.1%), scarcely Heterakis gallinae (0.2%) and Capillaria spp. (0.1%) were detected in birds kept on a large scale. The occurrence of Coccidia fluctuated from 5% in birds dissected in May, July and November to 22% in birds dissected in August. H. gallinae and Capillaria spp. occurred rarely, namely in the second half of the year after warm and rainy periods (Figs. 1 and 2). The occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic fowl kept on small farms is variable within the year while the change begins in summer and culminates in autumn after warm and rainy months. Only following the sporulation of larger numbers of oocysts, or the maturation of larger numbers of eggs or cysticercoids their pathogenicity can play a key role while their concentrations in the environment are increasing. Hence parasitoses begin to appear after the rise of temperatures and rainfall.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A pathologic study of wild turkeys in Connecticut

During the 1984 to 1986 spring hunting seasons in Connecticut, viscera from 300 hunter-killed wild turkeys and blood samples from live-trapped wild turkeys were examined in order to establish a health profile on the State's wild turkey population. Seven species of endoparasites were recovered from 224 (75%) of 300 birds: Metroliasthes lucida, Ascaridia dissimilis, Heterakis gallinarum, Syngamus trachea, Capillaria species, Trichomonas gallinarum, and Eimeria species. The most prevalent parasites were A. dissimilis (52%) and M. lucida (37%). Although some turkeys harbored high intensities of these two helminths, there were no associated gross or microscopic lesions nor body weight changes. The prevalence of S. trachea, H. gallinarum, Capillaria and Eimeria species, which are potential pathogenic parasites in domestic and wild turkeys, was very low (less than 3%). Blood samples from 19 live-trapped wild turkeys were negative for hemoprotozoa and antibodies to 15 common bacterial and viral agents. Serum samples from 82 birds were negative for Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae. The survey indicates that the wild turkey population of Connecticut presently has little evidence of common infectious diseases and minimal prevalence of potentially pathogenic parasites.     

Genetic resistance to natural helminth infections in two chicken layer lines

Groups of Lohmann Brown (LB) and Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) hens were reared under helminth-free conditions and kept afterwards together in a free range system. Mortality rate, body weight development, laying performance and faecal egg counts (FEC) were recorded during a 12 month laying period. At the end of the laying period, 246 LSL and 197 LB hens were necropsied and worms counted following the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guidelines. In addition adult Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia galli were sexed and measured for length. Significant (P<0.01) differences were observed in mortality rates between LSL and LB animals (12.9 vs. 5.7%). LSL hens showed significantly (P<0.05) higher FEC when compared with LB hens at almost all dates of monitoring. Almost all animals became infected with at least one helminth species. The most prevalent species were H. gallinarum, Capillaria spp. and A. galli. LB hens showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher average number of adult H. gallinarum, Capillaria spp. and tapeworms when compared with LSL animals. However, number of adult A. galli was in tendency lower in these animals. In total, LB had a significantly (P<0.05) higher worm burden than LSL (192.3 vs. 94.3). The estimated heritabilities for total worm burden were 0.23 (SE±0.12) in LSL and 0.75 (SE±0.21) in LB, respectively. The number of all different helminth species were positively correlated. The sex ratio of H. gallinarum and A. galli and the average worm lengths were not significantly (P>0.05) different between the genotypes. There was no significant phenotypic correlation between body weight and worm burden in LSL, whereas it was the case in LB (r=0.17, P<0.05). Based on the estimated heritabilities it is possible to select for helminth resistance in both genotypes.     

Monitoring the helmintological situation in a large-scale reproduction of pigs]

In 1976 to 1978, the occurrence of helminths in a large reproduction herd of pigs was studied in different age categories of the animals kept. Six helminth species were found in 30.7% of the sows: Ascaris suum (6.6%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (24.0%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (3.3%), Trichocephalus suis (1.3%), Strongyloides ransomi (0.7%), Metastrongylus sp. (0.3%). Four- to seven-month-old auction gilts had only the eggs of A. suum (4% of all cases). No helminith eggs were found in fattened piglets. Breeding boars were invaded by the species O. dentatum, H. rubidus and Metastrongylus sp. In elite herds and in gilts introduced from these herds, a higher extensity of invasion by different helminth species was found during quarantine and the findings even included the eggs of the species Capillaria sp. The anthelmintic effectiveness of Helmirazin (SpOFA) was also tested: in A. suum its effectiveness was 77.1%, in O. dentatum 66.2%, in T. suis the preparation remained ineffective. The technology of large-scale pig breeding under the conditions of reproduction herd of the PM-013-AGP type appears to be suitable from the helminthological points of view. In the planned introduction of animals from other breeding establishments it is necessary to subject the gilts to double treatment with an effective anthelmintic.     

五味子提取物对AA肉仔鸡血液生化指标的影响

选择1日龄的艾维茵肉仔鸡200羽,公母各半,随机分为5个处理,每个处理设4个重复,每个重复10羽。各组间鸡只体重无统计学上的差异(P>0.05),试验全期56d。空白组喂给基础日粮(不添加任何药物),试验组分别在基础日粮中添加黄霉素5mg/kg、0.1%五味子提取物、0.2%五味子提取物、0.4%五味子提取物。分别于35、56日龄剖杀试验鸡,静脉采血,分离血清,测定血清生化指标。结果表明,35日龄时,与空白组相比,添加0.2%五味子提取物可显著降低血清LDL和TG含量;可显著提高血清HDL含量。56日龄时,与空白组相比,0.2%五味子提取物可显著提高HDL、TP的含量(P<0.05);显著降低了TC的含量(P<0.05)。另外,0.4%五味子提取物组与空白组、黄霉素组相比,显著提高了HDL的含量(P<0.05)。添加五味子提取物在一定程度上可降低血清中AST、ALT含量(P>0.05)。     

Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Denmark

An epidemiological study of helminths in 1040 red foxes collected from various localities in Denmark during 1997-2002, revealed 21 helminth species at autopsy, including nine nematode species: Capillaria plica (prevalence 80.5%), Capillaria aerophila (74.1%), Crenosoma vulpis (17.4%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (48.6% from Northern Zealand (endemic area)), Toxocara canis (59.4%), Toxascaris leonina (0.6%), Uncinaria stenocephala (68.6%), Ancylostoma caninum (0.6%), and Trichuris vulpis (0.5%); seven cestodes: Mesocestoides sp. (35.6%), a number of Taeniid species (Taenia pisiformis, T. hydatigena, T. taeniaeformis, T. crassiceps, and unidentified Taenia spp.) (22.8%), and Echinococcus multilocularis (0.3%); four trematodes: Alaria alata (15.4%), Cryptocotyle lingua (23.8%), Pseudamphystomum truncatum (3.6% from Northern Zealand), and Echinochasmus perfoliatus (2.4% from Northern Zealand); one acanthocephalan: Polymorphus sp. (1.2%). Significant difference in prevalence was found for T. canis and A. vasorum according to host sex, and for T. canis, U. stenocephala, Mesocestoides sp., Taenia spp., A. alata, A. vasorum, and Capillaria spp. according to age groups (adult, young or cub). Prevalence and average worm intensity for each helminth species varied considerably according to geographical locality, season, and year. Aggregated distribution was found for several helminth species. The two species E. multilocularis and E. perfoliatus are first records for Denmark.     

黄芩对肉鸡生长性能及回盲肠微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究不同添加水平黄芩对肉鸡生长性能及回盲肠微生物菌群的影响。选取健康体重相近的1日龄肉鸡500羽,随机分为5组,每组5个重复,每个重复20羽,在基础日粮中分别添加0%(空白对照组)、0.1%、0.2%、0.4%黄芩以及1.0%抗生素(阳性对照组),试验期6周,测定1～21 d、22～42 d、1～42 d的日增重、料重比、免疫器官指数和回盲肠中乳酸菌和肠杆菌数量。结果表明,1～21 d时,各处理组日增重较空白对照组均有所增加,其中处理2增加显著(P0.05);与阳性对照组相比,各处理组的胸腺指数均显著提高(P0.05);盲肠乳酸菌数量均显著高于空白对照组(P0.05),回肠中乳酸菌数量有增加趋势。22～42 d时,与空白对照组相比,各处理组的日增重、免疫器官指数及回盲肠中乳酸菌和肠杆菌数量差异均不显著(P0.05)。结论:日粮中添加黄芩在1～21 d一定程度上可以促进肉鸡生长,改善肠道微生物菌群,其中添加0.2%黄芩效果较好。     

益生素、寡糖对三黄鸡生产性能及免疫机能的影响

将1日龄广东三黄鸡160只，随机分成5组，即对照组，试验1组(添加0．3％的益生素)，试验2组(添加0．2％的寡糖)，试验3组(添加0．3％的益生素和0．2％的寡糖)，试验4组(添加0.2％的益生素和0．1％的寡糖)，研究益生素和寡糖对肉鸡生产性能与免疫机能的影响。结果表明：饲料中添加益生素或寡糖均能显著提高肉鸡的平均日增重、饲料转化率、免疫器官指数、白细胞吞噬率及新城疫抗体效价，降低肉鸡死亡率。寡糖的作用效果前4周较明显．而益生素4周后较明显。同时添加益生素和寡糖对提高肉鸡生产性能与免疫机能具有协同作用。     

Dose-titration of fenbendazole in the treatment of poultry nematodiasis

Broiler chickens were fed ad libitum diets containing fenbendazole at various concentrations and durations for the removal of adult Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and Capillaria obsignata. All regimens were 100% effective against A. galli. Fenbendazole at doses of 80 ppm for 3 days and 48 or 30 ppm for 5 days was 100% effective against H. gallinarum. C. obsignata was not removed completely by any regimen, but greater than or equal to 95% effectiveness was seen in birds given fenbendazole at doses of 80 ppm for 3 days and 48 ppm for 5 days. All medicated rations were readily consumed, and the treated birds exhibited no adverse reactions.     

Helminth parasites in the intestinal tract of indigenous poultry in parts of Kenya

A study was carried out on 456 indigenous poultry intestinal specimens from various towns in Kenya to determine the occurrence and distribution of helminth parasites in the intestinal tract of the birds. Of the specimens examined, 414 had parasites whereas the remaining 42 had none, which is an infection rate of 90.78%. The main species of helminths found in the intestines were Raillietina sp. (47.53%), Heterakis gallinarum (21.33%), Ascaridia galli (10.03%), Strongyloides avium (9.96%), Choanotaenia infundibulum (4.61%), Cotugnia digonopora (3.6%), Capillaria sp. (1.5%), Trichostrongylus tenius (1.04%) and Syngamus trachea (0.40%). Most helminths were present in both the mid- and hindguts. Syngamus trachea and C. digonopora were only found in the foregut and midgut, respectively. Although chickens from which the specimens were collected appeard healthy, the high prevalence of helminthiasis observed shows the poor level of helminth infection control practiced by the indigenous poultry keepers in the country, which might affect the health status of the birds and their growth rates. Poultry keepers should be encouraged to prevent, control and treat such cases.     

Results of parasitological examinations of faecal samples from horses, ruminants, pigs, dogs, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits between 1998 and 2002

The results of coproscopical examinations in horses, ruminants, pigs, dogs, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits between 1998 and 2002 are presented. In 4399 samples from horses 37.4% stages of strongylids, 1.4% anoplocephalids, 1.3% Strongyloides westeri, 0.9% Parascaris equorum, 0.04% Oxyuris equi, 0.04% Eimeria sp. and 0.04% Fasciola hepatica were found. In 998 samples of cattle 22.1% stages of strongylids, 11.2% of Eimeria spp., 3.5% of cryptosporidium, 2.9% of Moniezia spp., 1.3% of Trichuris spp., 0.7% of Dictyocaulus sp., 0.6% of Fasciola hepatica, 0.6% of Strongyloides sp., 0.5% of Nematodirus spp. and 0.4% of Capillaria sp. could be detected. In 524 samples of sheep 60.7% eggs of strongylids, 43.1% oozysts of Eimeria spp., 11.1% stages of Nematodirus spp., 9.5% of Moniezia spp., 7.8% of Trichuris spp., 6.7% of Strongyloides sp., 1.7% of Fasciola hepatica, 1% of Capillaria spp., 0.4% of protostrongylidae, 0.2% of Skrjabinema sp. and 0.2% of Dictyocaulus sp. were found. 33.9% of the 118 samples of goats that were examined were positive for oocysts of Eimeria spp., 30.5% for eggs of strongylids, 6.8% for Nematodirus spp., 4.2% for Trichuris spp., 3.4% for Moniezia spp., 0.8 for protostrongylids and 0.8% for Strongyloides sp. 5.7% of 1427 samples of pigs contained stages of strongylids, 1.5% of Ascaris suum, 0.4% of Isospora, 0.3% of Eimeria spp., 0.3% of Trichuris sp., 0.1% of Giardia sp., 0.1% of cryptosproidium as well as 0.1% of metastrongylids. In 1281 of the samples of dogs 2.3% Giardia sp., 2.3% Isospora sp., 2.2% Toxocara canis, 1.4% ancylostomids, 0.8% taeniids, 0.6% larvae of Crenosoma sp., 0.2% Capillaria sp, 0.2% Trichuris vulpis and 0.2% Hammondia-like oocysts were found. In 441 samples of cats 10.7% stages of Isospora sp., 3.9% eggs of Toxocara cati, 1.6% of ancylostomids, 1.4% of taeniids, 1.1% of Giardia sp., 0.7% of Toxoplasma-like oocysts, 0.7% of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, 0.5% of Toxascaris leonina and 0.2% of Capillaria spp. were found. Furthermore 0.2% of the samples contained proglottids of Mesocestoides and 0.2% stages of Dipylidium sp. Eggs of Capillaria sp. were found in 33% of the 106 samples of hedgehogs, larvae of Crenosoma striatum in 27.4%, oocysts of Isospora sp. in 5.7% of the cases. In 232 samples of rabbits 56.9% oocysts of Eimeria sp., 4.8% stages of Passalurus ambiguus, 1.3% of strongylids, 0.9% of Strongyloides sp., 0.4% of trematodes were found.     

长汀县山麻鸭寄生蠕虫调查及其群落生态分析

剖检长汀县２１羽山麻鸭，检得寄生蠕虫１０种，总感染率为８１％，平均感染强度和密度分别为３６条和３０条。各种蠕虫及其感染分别为：楔形前殖吸虫２８．６％，大多形棘头虫４．％，似椎低颈吸虫４．８％，福建单睾绦虫３３．３￥，美国膜壳绦虫４．８％。     

N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖对AA肉鸡免疫机能的影响

试验研究了饲料中添加N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖对AA肉鸡免疫机能的影响。结果表明:与添加抗生素相比,添加0.1%的N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖能显著增加肉鸡免疫器官指数(P<0.05),且有高于空白对照组的趋势;添加0.1%和0.2%N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖可显著增加肉鸡血液中白细胞和淋巴细胞的数量;添加不同剂量的N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖均可有效提高肉鸡对人工感染大肠杆菌的保护率(甚至达90.00%)。可见,N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖可以增强肉鸡的免疫机能。     

Parasites from farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) and rheas (Rhea americana) in Europe

During a 4-year-period, more than 500 ostriches and several rheas, all born in European countries and raised in Spain and Portugal, have been analyzed for the presence of ectoparasites and endoparasites. A total of 29 parasite species have been found, most of them of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the helminth species found may represent spureous parasitosis, as only the eggs (of an ascarid and a trematode) were found in some samples. From the organisms identified, the ectoparasites (lice-Struthiolipeurus rheae, S. nandu; mites-Dermoglyphus pachycnemis, Gabucinia bicaudata), helminths (cestoda-Houttuynia struthionis- and nematoda-Libyostrongylus sp., Codiostomum struthionis-) and the ciliate Balantidium struthionis are known as ratite specific parasites. Capillaria eggs and larvae were also found; there are no previous records of this parasite from ostriches, and the data available do not allow to do a temptative specific diagnosis. Among protozoa, most of the species now found are described for the first time in ratites. They include organisms also found in other birds (Trichomonas gallinae, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, Chilomastix gallinarum, Spironucleus meleagridis and Pleuromonas jaculans), and organisms whose specific status cannot be established until further analysis are performed (Cryptosporidium sp., Eimeria sp. and/or Isospora sp., Entamoeba sp. of the one-nucleate and of the eight-nucleate mature cyst groups, Endolimax sp., Iodamoeba sp., Monocercomonas sp., Retortamonas sp., Giardia sp., Blastocystis sp. and euglenids).     

Dynamics of the incidence of coccidiosis in chickens in relation to the level of anticoccidial care

The incidence of coccidiosis was evaluated in pullets and broilers raised in large--scale conditions. We confirmed a relationship between the extensity and intensity of coccidium incidence on the one hand and the content of anticoccidic drugs in feed mixtures and the husbandry standard on poultry farms on the other. We studied the causes of failure of the efficiency of the anticoccidic drug Amprol Plus after a short time of its administration to the fowl and we demonstrated a resistant strain of the field isolate of Eimeria tenella in connection with low doses of this anticoccidic drug in feed mixtures.