Open AccessAvian Haemosporidian Parasites in Domesticated Rock Doves ( Columba livia domestica ) in Gombe State, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Lawal JR
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
open access journal of veterinary science and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2474-9222
DOI - 10.23880/oajvsr-16000214
Subject(s) - haemoproteus , leucocytozoon , plasmodium (life cycle) , zoology , biology , avian malaria , veterinary medicine , malaria , parasite hosting , immunology , gametocyte , medicine , computer science , plasmodium falciparum , world wide web
Avian haemosporidian infections are widespread and can result in the decline of populations or extinction of birds’ species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in 570 rock doves sampled from household and live birds markets from Gombe State, Nigeria. Blood samples were microscopically examined for the presence of haemoparasites, and the overall prevalence of avian haemosporidiosis was 41.8%. The prevalence of haemosporidian was significantly higher (P 0.05) in doves sampled from live birds’ markets compared to those from households, and all avian haemosporidian species except Leucocytozoon species were higher (P > 0.05) in female than in male doves. It is recommended that awareness campaign to educate the poultry farmers and sellers on how to improve management practices is necessary so as to prevent widespread transmission of the haemosporidian parasites amongst domesticated birds.