RESEARCH ARTICLE ISSN: 2467-9151 OPEN ACCESS Prevalence rate of Raillietina cesticillus in domestic chickens of District Mardan, KPK, Pakistan Tahir Rehman 1*, Lal Zada 1, Abbas Ahmad 2, Muhammad Aurang Zeb 3 1 Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KPK, Pakistan 2 Department of Pharmacy University of Malakand, KPK, Pakistan 3 Department of Biochemistry, Hazara University, KPK, Pakistan ABSTRACT Background: This survey was conducted with the basic aim to find out the prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus in domestic chicken of district Mardan from August to March (2014-2015). Methods: The gastrointestinal tracts were removed from the slaughtered chickens. Then cut longitudinally with the help of a scissor and its contents were washed and the presence of the adult parasite were observed. Results: The total 689 samples of slaughtered chickens were collected, in which 125 were infected with the prevalence rate of 18.14%, likewise, the prevalence rate was recorded under different parameters in consideration of month, season, gender and area. Conclusion: It was concluded that high rate of infestation with Raillietina cesticillus was found in district Mardan. Thus, it can be controlled and minimized by proper management and regular use of anti-helminthic medicines. Keywords: slaughtered chickens, parasitic infection, season, poultry BACKGROUND Nowadays, poultry industry emerges as a new source of income in Pakistan, which not only gave Rs.564 billion but also contributed in eradication of unemployment of about 15 million people and is directly or indirectly benefited from this sector. It also helps in improvement of livestock (11.) as well as agriculture (6.4%) [1]. The increasing population worldwide increases demand for mutton and beef, which can only be compensated and fulfilled by poultry industry [2]. *Correspondence: Tahir Rehman Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan Email:Tahir.ahzam5@gmail.com Cell: 0343-8550110 Eggs and meats are the two main products of poultry sector and serve as the most essential source of food, which provides about 3 of the whole protein throughout the world [3]. Most of the chickens in rural area of Pakistan are related to free range scavenging system, which is mostly susceptible to parasitic infection because they feed on house hold waste, insect larvae and seeds [4]. Due to various infestation caused by viruses, bacteria and other parasites, more than 750 million chicken, Guinea fowls and duckling in Africa die each year [5]. These parasites indirectly infest the domestic chicken through contaminated food substances, such as grains, fruits, insectsetc.[6-7] The intestinal tract of chickens is inhabited by some species of cestode parasites. So, it has been estimated that more than 1,400 species of tapeworm International Journal of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. 2016; 1(2):13-16 www.intlmedbio.com 12
infest the intestinal tract of domesticated chicken and wild birds due to its free ranging mode of life [8]. The life cycle of tapeworm is indirect and therefore require secondary host to complete its life cycle. Intermediate host of tapeworm are beetle, flies, ants, slugs and crustacean [9]. Disease caused by helminthic (tapeworm) parasite leading to reduction in growth, weight, egg production and significant hemoglobin, eventually results in mortality of the host [10-11]. Infested chicken are marked with the symptoms like vacuolation of epithelial cells, villous atrophy, desquamation of epithelium of villi and submocousal glands congestion, catarrhal enteritis, formation of granuloma in duodenum and inflammatory reactions [12]. This research was carried out to find the prevalence rate of Raillietina cesticillus in District Mardan. The domestic chickens are more commonly infested from this parasite in Mardan. METHODOLOGY Study area The present survey was conducted in District Mardan to find out the prevalence rate of Raillietina cesticillus in domestic chickens. Parasite identification and Preservation All the adult worms (Raillietina cesticillus) were identified directly under the stereo-microscope using the characteristics described [15-16]. First of all, the helminth parasites were separated, then collected with forceps and finally, preserved in formalin. RESULTS The major purpose of this research work was to find and record the prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus in domestic chicken in District Mardan. The results obtained so far are given below. Over all prevalence 125 chickens out of 689 were found to be infested with Raillietina cesticillus. So, the overall prevalence rate was 18.14%. (Figure 1) 689 Observation period The survey was started from August 2014 to March 2015, in which total of 689 domestic chickens of different sex, area and season were observed for the presence or absence of adult helminth parasites specially Raillietina cesticillus. The gender of chickens was identified by Jett method [13]. 125 18.14 Observed sample Infected sample Prevalence% Figure 1 Prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus Samples collection and procedure of examination The chickens were slaughtered and the entire gastrointestinal tract was removed. The gastrointestinal tract was opened with the help of scissor along its length; the contents were carefully washed and examined [14]. International Journal of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. 2016; 1(2):13-16 www.intlmedbio.com 13
Month wise prevalence From August up to March (2014-2015), the prevalence rate was (20.43, 25, 25.78, 35, 23.36, 21.6, 12.08, 6.67) % respectively (Figure 2). 4 3 3 2 5 4 3 2 Winter Spring Summer Fall Figure 4 Season wise prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus Area wise prevalence Figure 2 Month wise prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus Data was collected from Mardan city and Mardan rural areas, having prevalence rate 16.69% and 22.04% respectively (Figure 5). Gender wise prevalence The prevalence rate in female was found to be 21.2% while 14.33% was recorded in male. (Figure 3) 2 Male Female Figure 3 Gender wise prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus Season wise prevalence With respect to seasons, the prevalence rate in winter was 46.97%, in spring it was about 6.7%, in summer 21.1% while in fall it was 30.37% (Figure 4). 2 Mardan city Mardan rural Figure 5 Area wise prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus DISCUSSION The present survey demonstrated the prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus in domestic chicken in District Mardan, with the duration of 8 months. Total 689 samples were observed for the prevalence of Raillietina cesticillus. The overall prevalence noted in this research survey is 18.14%, which is nearly equivalent to 19% [17], less than 22. [18], 29.1% [19] and greater than 5.82% [20], 12.8% reported from Faisalabad, Pakistan [21].The difference in prevalence rate is due to the poor International Journal of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. 2016; 1(2):13-16 www.intlmedbio.com 14
management of poultry system, their scavenging mode of life as well as climatic condition. The month-wise prevalence, reported in this study, show variation ranging from 6.67 to 3, lowest prevalence in March while high prevalence in November, due to different climatic conditions. While the gender wise prevalence rate is 14.33% in male and 21.2% in female which is against the prevalence recorded [19] which is 32% male and female. This variation is caused by the free ranging scavenging habit as well as voracious mode of eating of female and selective mode of feeding by the male. Season-wise prevalence revealed the highest prevalence in winter 46.97%followed by fall 30.37%, summer 21.1% and the lowest prevalence rate noted in spring 6.7%. The difference recorded is mainly due to variation in temperature, humidity and other physical factors. CONCLUSION To control the infestation of domestic chicken by Raillietina cesticillusis is only possible if definitive host (chicken) is not allowed eating intermediate host (arthropods), while second way is the proper and regular use of anti-helminthic drugs for the treatment of domestic chicken. COMPETING INTERESTS We declare that we don t have competing interest. CONTRIBUTIONS All authors performed the sample, data collection and laboratory experiments, statistical analysis, conceived part of this study and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. ETHICAL CONSIDERATION This study was approved by Institutional Review Committee of Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KPK, Pakistan. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to the Dr. Gauhar Rehman, Chairman Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KPK, Pakistan for providing research facilities. REFERENCES [1]. Memon NA. Poultry: Country s second-largest industry. Pakistan Food Journal 2012. Available from: http://www.foodjournal.pk/nov-dec-2012/nov-dec-2012- PDF/Exclusive-article-Dr-Noor.pdf [2]. Zubeda B, Shaikh AA, Khan MM. Prevalence and pathology of Raillietinacesticillus in the intestine of local chicken (Gallus domesticus) in Sindh. Proceedings of Parasitology 2012; 53:43-51. [3]. Dolberg F, Petersen PH. Poultry as a tool in poverty eradication and promotion of gender equality. Proceedings of a workshop. Tune, Denmark, Organized by Danish Agricultural Rural Development Advisers Forum, 1999. [4]. Aini L. Indigenous chicken production in south Asia. World PoulSci J 1990; 46:51-57. [5]. Sonaiya EB, Laogun EA, Matanmi O, Daniyan OC, Akande BE, Oguntade EA et al. Health and husbandry aspects of village extensive poultry production in South Western Nigeria. In: Pandey V.S. and Demey F. (Eds) Village poultry production in Africa. Rabat, Morocco, 1992, 34-41. International Journal of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. 2016; 1(2):13-16 www.intlmedbio.com 15
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