Haemoprotozoa Infection of Domestic Birds in Hilly Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

The blood protozoa of two important domestic birds namely chickens (Gallus domesticus) and pigeon (Columba livia) reared in the hilly areas of Bangladesh were studied. A total of 400 birds (200 chicken and 200 pigeons) were examined of which 149 (37.3%) [95% CI] birds were found infected by one or more haemoprotozoan parasites. Haemoprotozoa belonging to three genera were identified. Pigeon 80 (40%) was recorded more susceptible to haemoprotozoa infection than chicken 69 (34.5%). 118 birds (29.5%) were found to be infected with single infection where as mixed infections were found in 31 birds (7.8%). The prevalence of blood protozoa in female birds (69.5%) was found significantly higher (p ≤ 0.0001) [95% CI] than male birds (5%). Within the study period, the prevalence rate of Haemoprotozoa was 60.6% in summer season, 36.7% in rainy and 23% winter seasons. This study has archived a high prevalence of haemoparasites, henceforth encourage further to determine the effect of contamination on the productivity and profitability of these birds, and evaluation of cost-benefit of various control strategies need to be undertaken.