JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org


Gastrointestinal parasites of feral pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) at two temples of Kathmandu valley

https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2022.330   |   Article Number: 066654B51   |   Vol.8 (2) - April 2023

Received Date: 03 July 2022   |   Accepted Date: 04 September 2022  |   Published Date: 30 April 2023

Authors:  Bina Jha , Ranjana Gupta , Janak Raj Subedi* and Bijay Chhetri

Keywords: intestinal parasites, Feral, helminths, Kathmandu, pigeon, protozoans.

Protozoans, helminths and other gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in Aves are an imperative but often ignored topic in rising nations like Nepal. Accurate inspections of GI parasites in feral pigeons inform pragmatic treatment regimens. In a prospective examination of intestinal parasites in the coprological study of feral pigeons in April 2016, a total of 120 samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and examined by microscopy of direct and concentrated faecal sample techniques to detect ova, larvae, and oocysts of parasites. Altogether 109 (90.83%) samples were positive with 6 genera of GI parasites. The study identified one genus of protozoa: Eimeria sp. (43.34%) and five genera of helminths: Capillaria sp. (51.67%), Ascaridia sp. (27.50%), Heterakis sp. (19.17%), Syngamus sp. (4.17%) and Tetrameres sp. (1.70%). The prevalence rate of helminth parasites (83.34%) was higher than the prevalence rate of protozoan parasites (43.34%). The present study revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of helminths and protozoan parasites (χ²=15.14, p<0.05). However, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites showed no significant variation with respect to single and mixed infection (χ² =1.56, p>0.05). The present study examined a higher prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites due to a lack of deworming programs in feral pigeons and a lack of sustainable action designs. Therefore, the sustainable action design and its implementation to control parasitic infection and reduce the health hazards of feral temple pigeons were recommended.

Adang, K. L., Oniye, S. J., Ezealor, A. U., Abdu, P. A., Ajanusi, O. J., & Yoriyo, K. P. (2009). Ectoparasites and intestinal helminths of speckled pigeon (Columba guinea Hartlaub and Finsch 1870) in Zaria, Nigeria. Science World Journal, 4(2), 1-5.
Crossref
 
Adang, K. L., Oniye, S. L., Ajanusi, O. J., Ezealor, A. U., & Abdu, P. A. (2008). Gastrointestinal helminths of the domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789 aves: columbidae) in Zaria, northern Nigeria. Science World Journal, 3(1), 33-37.
Crossref
 
Adang, K.L. (1999). Some aspect of the biology of four columbid species in Zaria, Nigeria. M.Sc. Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University.
 
Animal Disease and Parasite Control Division (ADPCD) (1982). Annual technical reports 1-6.
 
Al-Barwari, S., & Saeed, I. (2012). The parasitic communities of the rock pigeon Columba livia from Iraq: component and importance. Türkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi, 36(4), 232-230.
Crossref
 
Bahrami, A. M., Hossein, I. E. & Razmjo, R. (2013). Important parasite in pigeon, its hematological parameter and pathology of intestine. World Applied Sciences Journal, 21(9), 1361-1365.
 
Balicka-Ramisz, A., Tomza-Marciniak, A., Pilarczyk, B., Wieczorek-Dabrowska, M., & Bakowska, M. (2007). Intestinal parasites of parrots. Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne, 53(2), 129-132.
 
Begum, A., & Sehrin, S. (2012). Gastrointestinal helminths in pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789). Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 38(1), 93-98.
Crossref
 
Borji, H., Moghaddas, E., Razmi, R. R., & Azad, M. (2012). A survey of ecto and endo parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Mashhad, Iran. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology, 4(2), 37-42.
 
Dranzoa, C., Ocaido, M., & Katete, P. (1999). The ecto-, gastro-intestinal and haemo-parasites of live pigeons (Columba livia) in Kampala, Uganda. Avian Pathology, 28(2), 119-124.
Crossref
 
Ghosh, K. K., Islam, M. S., Sikder, S., Das, S., Chowdhury, S., & Alim, M. A. (2014). Ecto and gastrointestinal parasitic infections of pigeon at Chittagong Metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The Journal of Advances in Parasitology, 1(1), 9-11.
Crossref
 
Gupta, R., & Pandey, D. P. (2007). Threatening factors for critically endangered white-rumped and slender billed vultures in Chitwan District, Nepal. Environmental Biology and Conservation. ISCON, BHU, India, 12, 1-7.
 
Haag-Wackernagel, D., & Moch, H. (2004). Health hazards posed by feral pigeons. Journal of Infection, 48(4), 307-313.
Crossref
 
Karatepe, M., Kilic, S., Karatepe, B. & Babur, C. (2011). Prevalence of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic (Columba liva domestica) and wild (Columba livia livia) pigeons in Nigde region, Turkey. Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi, 35(1), 23-26.
Crossref
 
Klein, R., Bartel, M., Paulus, M., Quack, M., Tarricone, K., Wagner, G., Ball, M., Rudel, H., & Schluter, C. (2008). Pollution of urban industrial ecosystems in Germany-the use of bioindicators from different trophic levels. Environmental Bioindicators, 3, 19.
 
Lindstrom, K. M. (2000). Bird-parasite interaction: Using Sindbis virus as a model system.
 
Marques, S. M., Quadros, R. M., Da-Silva, C. J., & Baldo, M. (2007). Parasites of pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of lages, Southern Brazil. Parasitología Latinoamericana, 62(3-4), 183-187.
Crossref
 
Msoffe, P. L. M., Muhairwa, A. P., Chiwanga, G. H., & Kassuku, A. A. (2009). A study of ecto- and endo-parasites of domestic Pigeons in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(3), 264-2672.
 
Mukhia, G., Gupta, R., & Pant, G. R. (2007). Intestinal helminth parasites of buffalo brought to Kathmandu for slaughtering. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 8, 89-92
 
Musa, S., Afroz, S. D., & Khanum, H. (2011). Occurence of ecto-and endo parasites in pigeon (Columba livia Linn.). University Journal of Zoology, Rajshahi University, 30, 73-75.
Crossref
 
Mushi, E. Z., Binta, M. G., Chabo, R. G., Ndebele, R., & Panzirah, R. (2000). Parasites of domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 71(4), 249-250.
Crossref
 
Nagwa, E. A., El-Akabawy, L. M., El-Madawy, R. S., & Toulan, E. I. (2013). Studies on intestinal protozoa of poultry in Gharbia governorate. Benha Veterinary Medical Journal, 25(2), 78-83.
 
Nam, D. H., Lee, D. P., & Koo, T. H. 2004. Monitoring for lead pollution using feather of feral pigeons (Columba livia) from Korea. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 95, 13-22.
Crossref
 
Natala, A. J., Asemadahun, N. D., Okubanjo, O. O., Ulayi, B. M., Owolabi, Y. H., Jato, I. D., & Yusuf, K. H. (2009). A survey of parasites of domesticated pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Zaria, Nigeria. International Journal of Soft Computing, 4(4), 148-150.
 
Oliveira, P. D., Mundim, M. J. S., Cabral, D. D., Ribeiro, S. S. A., & Rosa, G. N. (2000). Levantamento da fauna parasitaria das pombas domésticas (Columba livia domestica) de Uberlândia, MG, Brasil. Veterinária Notícias, Uberlándia, 6, 53-56.
 
Olsen, O. W., & Braun, C. E. (1980). Helminth parasites of band-tailed pigeons in Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 16(1), 65-66.
Crossref
 
Opara, M. N., Ogbuewua, I. P., Iwujia, C. T., Njokua, L., Ihesiea, E. K., & Etuka, I. F. (2012). Bloodcharacteristics, microbial and gastrointestinal parasites of street pigeons (Columba livia) in Owerri Imo State. Nigeria Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 1(1), 14-21.
 
Parasani, H. R., & Momin, R. R. (2010). Prevalence of nematodes infection of pigeons of Gujarat State, India. Department of Parasitology College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, S. D. Agricultural University, Gujarat. Zoos Print (Web Version), 25(10), 32-34.
 
Patel, P. V., Patel, A. I., Sahu, R. K., & Vyas, R. (2000). Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive birds in Gujarat zoos. Zoos print journal, 15(7), 295-296.
Crossref
 
Radfar, M.H., Khedri, J., Adinehbeigi, K., Nabavi, R., & Rahmani, K. (2012). Prevalence of parasites and associated risk factors in domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and free-range backyard chickens of Sistan region, east of Iran. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 36(2), 220-225.
Crossref
 
Rehman, R. (1993). A study on the prevalence of Ascaridia galli and the effects of experimental infection on various blood parameters and body weight in chicken. M.Sc. (Hons) Thesis, University of Agriculture (CVS), Faisalabad-Pakistan.
 
Sari, B., Karatepe, B., Karatepe, M., & Kara, M. (2008). Parasites of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and wild (Columba livia livia) pigeons in Niğde, Turkey. Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Puławy, 52, 551-554.
 
Sivajothi, S., & Sudhakara, R. B. (2015). A study on the gastro intestinal parasites of domestic pigeons in YSR Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, India. Journal of Dairy, Veterinary & Animal Research, 2(6), 00057.
Crossref
 
Soulsby, E. J. L. (1982). Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals (7th edition) Bailliere Tindall, London, 809 pp.
 
Weber, W. (1979). Health hazards from pigeons, starlings and English sparrows. Thomson Publications, Fresno, California. 137p.