PREVALENCE OF HELMINTH PARASITES INFECTING DOMESTIC PIGEONS (COLUMBA LIVIA DOMESTICA) FROM AL-QASSIM REGION, SAUDI ARABIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Pigeon, Helminths, Prevalence, Biological factors, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
This study aimed to identify helminth parasites infecting domestic pigeons in Al- Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, and the biological factors possibly affecting the prevalence of infection. A total of 354 pigeons (C. L. domestica) were purchased from four cities in Al-Qassim region; Buraydah, Unaizah, Ar Rass, and Al-Bukairiyah, from January to December 2021. Pigeons were examined to determine the helminths prevalence, and the relationship between the infection and the biological factors; city, season, gender, age, and weight. Overall, our study showed 177 (50%) pigeons were infected with helminth parasites. More precisely, 31.6% of pigeons were infected with cestodes, 13.3% with nematodes, and 5.1% with mixed infection (both cestodes and nematodes). No trematodes were recorded in this study. Cestodes were more common and abundant than nematodes. The correlation between the type of infection and the five biological factors revealed that Buraydah city had a significantly lower rate of cestode infection compared to other cities, while nematode infection was significantly different among the four different seasons. There was no significant difference between the gender factor and a single infection of cestode or nematode, but it had a significant role in mixed infection, this may be due to the fact the sample size was relatively smaller and may be related to males' sex hormones. To our knowledge, this is the first study to shed light on helminths infection in domestic pigeons from Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. This research could aid authorities in taking necessary and preventative measures against pigeon parasitic diseases.
References
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17. Ali M, Ibrahim R, Alahmadi S et al. (2020): Ectoparasites and Intestinal Helminthes of Pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Parasitology, 106 (6):721-729.
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19. Zahrani MR, Ashour AA, Shobrak MY (2012): Tapeworms of rock dove and domestic chicken in Taif area, Saudi Arabia. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 42(3):507-513.
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21. Radfar MH, Fathi S, Asl EN et al. (2011): A survey of parasite of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in South Khorasan, Iran. Veterinary Research, 4(1): 18-23.
22. Diakou A, Ptochos S, Papadopoulos E (2013): Cestode fauna of feral pigeons in Thessaloniki; Northern Greece. Helminthologia, 50(1): 39-42.
23. Laku, CB, Onwuteaka JN, Amuzie CC (2018): Ecto-parasites and intestinal helminth community of domesticated pigeons (Columba livia) of Trans-Amadi abattoir, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Science Forecast, 1(2):1010
24. UL-Jabbar A, Na J, Ismael H (2019): Detection of the parasites which infect the pigeons in the Sharqat city, Salah Al-Deen province. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 65(160): 25-30.
25. Issa AR, Mero WM, Hasan DL et al. (2021) The Prevalence of Parasites in the Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Zakho City, Kurdistan-Iraq. Baghdad Science Journal, 18(2):0210-0210.
26. Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Gaber R, Alajmi R et al. (2019): Morphological and molecular appraisal of cyclophyllidean cestoda parasite Raillietina saudiae sp. nov. infecting the domestic pigeon Columba livia domestica and its role as a bio-indicator for environmental quality. Parasitology International, 71: 59-72.
27. Abed AA, Naji HA, Rhyaf AG (2014): Investigation study of some parasites infected domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Al-Dewaniya city. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 9(4):13-20.
28. Bahrami AM, Doosti A, Nahrevanian H et al. (2012): Pathological study on parasitism in racing pigeons; an indication of its effects on community health. Advances in Environmental Biology, 6:726–732.
29. Khezerpour A, Naem S (2013): Investigation on Parasitic Helminthes of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Lung of Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia) in Urmia, Iran. International Journal of Livestock Research, 3:35-41.
30. Nagwa AE, Loubna MA, El-Madawy RS et al. (2013): Studies on helminths of poultry in Gharbia governorate Benha. Veterinary Medical Journal, 25:139–144.
31. Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Gaber R, Dkhil MA et al., (2020): Morphological and molecular characteristics of the gastro-intestinal nematode parasite Ascaridia columbae infecting the domestic pigeon Columba livia domestica in Saudi Arabia. Acta Parasitology, 65(1): pp.208-224.
32. Parsani HR, Momin RR, Lateef A et al. (2014) Gastrointestinal helminths of pigeons (Columba livia) in Gujarat, India. Egyptian Journal of Biological,16:63-71.
33. Eslami A, Ghaemi P, Rahbari S (2009): Parasitic infections of free–range chickens from Golestan Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 4(3):10-14.
34. Hassouni T, Belghyti D (2006): Distribution of gastrointestinal helminths in chicken farms in the Gharb region—Morocco. Parasitology Research, 99(2): 181-183.
35. Eshetu Y, Mulualem E, Ibrahim H et al. (2001): Study of gastro-intestinal helminths of scavenging chickens in four rural districts of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Revue scientifique et technique, 20(3): 791-796.
36. Yousuf MA, Das PM, Anisuzzaman M et al., (2009): Gastro-intestinal helminths of ducks: Some epidemiologic and pathologic aspects. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 7(1): 91-97.
37. Moudgil AD, Singla LD, Singh MP (2019): Seasonal variation in gastrointestinal parasite- ism of zoo-housed birds of Punjab, India. Biological Rhythm Research, 1-12.
38. Singh P, Singla LD, Gupta MP (2009): Epidemiology & chemotherapy of (SSCP) based mutation scanning approaches chickens of Sistan region, east Iran. Journal of Parasitic Diseases,36: 2:220-5.
39. Anwar AH, Rana SH, Shah AH (2000): Pathology of cestode infection in indigenous and exotic layers. Pathological Journal of Agricultural Science, 37(1): 1-2.
40. Senlik B, Gulegen E, Akyol V (2005): Effect of age, sex, and season on the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) from Bursa Province, Turkey. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 53:449–456
41. Magwisha H, Kassuku A, Kyvsgaard N et al. (2002): A comparison of the prevalence and burdens of helminth infections in growers and adult free-range chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 34(3): 205-214.
42. Fakae Paul A (2003): Aainy season period prevalence of helminths in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) in Nsukka Eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 24:21–27.
43. Hassanain MA, Abdel Rahman EH, Khalil FAM (209): New scanning electron microscopy look of Ascaridia galli (Schrank, 1788) adult worm and its biological control. Journal of Parasitology Research, 4(4):94–104.
44. Ekpo UF, Ogbooye AA, Oluwole AS et al. (2010): A preliminary survey on the parasites of free-range chicken in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 9:2.
45. Tesfaheywet Z, Amare E, Hailu Z (2012): Helminthosis of chickens in selected small scale commercial poultry farms in and around Haramaya Woreda, Southeastern Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Advances, 2(9):462-468.
46. Isomursu M, Rätti O, Helle, P (2006): Sex and age influence intestinal parasite burden in three boreal grouse species. Journal of Avian Biology, 37(5):516-522.
2. Marques SM, Quadros RM, Da-silva CJ, et al. (2007): Parasites of pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of langes, Southern Brazil. Parasitologia Latinoamericana, 62(3-4): 183-187.
3. Ghazi RR, Khatoon N, Mansoor S et al. (2002): Pulluterina karachiensis sp. n. (Cestoda: Anaplocephalidae) from the wild pigeon Columba livia Gmelin. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 26(1): 27-30.
4. Kozhokov MK (2007): Formation of parasite fauna of birds of the North Caucasus. Russian Agricultural Sciences, 33(6): 404 – 407.
5. Adang, KL, Oniye SJ, Ajanusi OJ et al. (2008): Gastrointstinal helminth of the domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789 Aves: Columbidae) in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Science World Journal, 3: 33-7.
6. Adang KL, Oniye SJ, Ezealor AU et al. (2009): Ectoparasites and intestinal helminthes of Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) Hartlaub and Finsch, 1870) in Zaria, Nigeria. Science World Journal, 4(2): 1-5.
7. Sivajothi S, Reddy BS (2016): Lousicidal 70 effect of deltamethrin in domestic pigeons. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 40(3): 838–839.
8.
9. Cheng T (1973): General Parasitology. Academic Press, New York, San Francisco, and London.
10. Al-Hussaini AH, Demian ES (1992): Practical Animal Biology. Vol. II, 11th Ed. Dar AL-Maaref, 283-299.
11. Soulsby EJL (1982): Helminths, Arthropods, and protozoa of Domesticated Animals, Seventhed. Bailliere Tindall London, 630-637.
12. Ibrahim NA, Hassan EA, Moawad TI et al. (2018b): Pathological and physiological alterations induced by intestinal helminthes infecting domestic pigeon, columba livia domestica. at Ismailia, Egypt. Catrina: International J Environmental Science, 17(1):61-70.
13. El-Dakhly KM, El-Seify MA, Mohammed ES et al. (2019): Prevalence and distribution pattern of intestinal helminthes in chicken and pigeons in Aswan, Upper Egypt. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51(3):713-718.
14. Alkharigy FA, El Naas AS, Maghrbi AE (2018): Survey of parasites in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Tripoli, Libya. Open Veterinary Journal, 8(4):360-366.
15. El-Dakhly K, Mahrous L, Mabrouk G (2016): Distribution pattern of intestinal helminths in domestic pigeons (Colum ogy., ba livia domestica) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Beni-Suef province, Egypt. Journal of Veterinary Medical Research, 23(1): 85-93.
16. Safi-eldin MA, Taha HA, Ashour AA (2019): Description of cestodes infecting domesticated pigeon (columba livia domestica) in Egypt with special reference to the molecular characterization of Raillietina SPP. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 49(3):493-504.
17. Ali M, Ibrahim R, Alahmadi S et al. (2020): Ectoparasites and Intestinal Helminthes of Pigeons in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Parasitology, 106 (6):721-729.
18. Begum A, Sehrin S (2012): Gastrointestinal helminths in pigeon Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789). Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (Science), 2012; 38(1):93-98.
19. Zahrani MR, Ashour AA, Shobrak MY (2012): Tapeworms of rock dove and domestic chicken in Taif area, Saudi Arabia. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 42(3):507-513.
20. Salem HM, Khattab MS, Yehia N et al. (2022): Morphological and molecular characterization of Ascaridia columbae in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and the assessment of its immunological responses. Poultry Science, 101(2):101596.
21. Radfar MH, Fathi S, Asl EN et al. (2011): A survey of parasite of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in South Khorasan, Iran. Veterinary Research, 4(1): 18-23.
22. Diakou A, Ptochos S, Papadopoulos E (2013): Cestode fauna of feral pigeons in Thessaloniki; Northern Greece. Helminthologia, 50(1): 39-42.
23. Laku, CB, Onwuteaka JN, Amuzie CC (2018): Ecto-parasites and intestinal helminth community of domesticated pigeons (Columba livia) of Trans-Amadi abattoir, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Science Forecast, 1(2):1010
24. UL-Jabbar A, Na J, Ismael H (2019): Detection of the parasites which infect the pigeons in the Sharqat city, Salah Al-Deen province. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 65(160): 25-30.
25. Issa AR, Mero WM, Hasan DL et al. (2021) The Prevalence of Parasites in the Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Zakho City, Kurdistan-Iraq. Baghdad Science Journal, 18(2):0210-0210.
26. Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Gaber R, Alajmi R et al. (2019): Morphological and molecular appraisal of cyclophyllidean cestoda parasite Raillietina saudiae sp. nov. infecting the domestic pigeon Columba livia domestica and its role as a bio-indicator for environmental quality. Parasitology International, 71: 59-72.
27. Abed AA, Naji HA, Rhyaf AG (2014): Investigation study of some parasites infected domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Al-Dewaniya city. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 9(4):13-20.
28. Bahrami AM, Doosti A, Nahrevanian H et al. (2012): Pathological study on parasitism in racing pigeons; an indication of its effects on community health. Advances in Environmental Biology, 6:726–732.
29. Khezerpour A, Naem S (2013): Investigation on Parasitic Helminthes of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Lung of Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia) in Urmia, Iran. International Journal of Livestock Research, 3:35-41.
30. Nagwa AE, Loubna MA, El-Madawy RS et al. (2013): Studies on helminths of poultry in Gharbia governorate Benha. Veterinary Medical Journal, 25:139–144.
31. Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Gaber R, Dkhil MA et al., (2020): Morphological and molecular characteristics of the gastro-intestinal nematode parasite Ascaridia columbae infecting the domestic pigeon Columba livia domestica in Saudi Arabia. Acta Parasitology, 65(1): pp.208-224.
32. Parsani HR, Momin RR, Lateef A et al. (2014) Gastrointestinal helminths of pigeons (Columba livia) in Gujarat, India. Egyptian Journal of Biological,16:63-71.
33. Eslami A, Ghaemi P, Rahbari S (2009): Parasitic infections of free–range chickens from Golestan Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 4(3):10-14.
34. Hassouni T, Belghyti D (2006): Distribution of gastrointestinal helminths in chicken farms in the Gharb region—Morocco. Parasitology Research, 99(2): 181-183.
35. Eshetu Y, Mulualem E, Ibrahim H et al. (2001): Study of gastro-intestinal helminths of scavenging chickens in four rural districts of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Revue scientifique et technique, 20(3): 791-796.
36. Yousuf MA, Das PM, Anisuzzaman M et al., (2009): Gastro-intestinal helminths of ducks: Some epidemiologic and pathologic aspects. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 7(1): 91-97.
37. Moudgil AD, Singla LD, Singh MP (2019): Seasonal variation in gastrointestinal parasite- ism of zoo-housed birds of Punjab, India. Biological Rhythm Research, 1-12.
38. Singh P, Singla LD, Gupta MP (2009): Epidemiology & chemotherapy of (SSCP) based mutation scanning approaches chickens of Sistan region, east Iran. Journal of Parasitic Diseases,36: 2:220-5.
39. Anwar AH, Rana SH, Shah AH (2000): Pathology of cestode infection in indigenous and exotic layers. Pathological Journal of Agricultural Science, 37(1): 1-2.
40. Senlik B, Gulegen E, Akyol V (2005): Effect of age, sex, and season on the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) from Bursa Province, Turkey. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 53:449–456
41. Magwisha H, Kassuku A, Kyvsgaard N et al. (2002): A comparison of the prevalence and burdens of helminth infections in growers and adult free-range chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 34(3): 205-214.
42. Fakae Paul A (2003): Aainy season period prevalence of helminths in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) in Nsukka Eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 24:21–27.
43. Hassanain MA, Abdel Rahman EH, Khalil FAM (209): New scanning electron microscopy look of Ascaridia galli (Schrank, 1788) adult worm and its biological control. Journal of Parasitology Research, 4(4):94–104.
44. Ekpo UF, Ogbooye AA, Oluwole AS et al. (2010): A preliminary survey on the parasites of free-range chicken in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 9:2.
45. Tesfaheywet Z, Amare E, Hailu Z (2012): Helminthosis of chickens in selected small scale commercial poultry farms in and around Haramaya Woreda, Southeastern Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Advances, 2(9):462-468.
46. Isomursu M, Rätti O, Helle, P (2006): Sex and age influence intestinal parasite burden in three boreal grouse species. Journal of Avian Biology, 37(5):516-522.
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Dec 4, 2023
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Mashael A. Aldamigh, Ahlam A. Alahmadi, & Amaal H. Hassan. (2023). PREVALENCE OF HELMINTH PARASITES INFECTING DOMESTIC PIGEONS (COLUMBA LIVIA DOMESTICA) FROM AL-QASSIM REGION, SAUDI ARABIA. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 30(19), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v30i19.3564
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Author Biographies
Mashael A. Aldamigh
Biological Department, Science College in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
Ahlam A. Alahmadi
Biological Sciences Department, Science College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Amaal H. Hassan
Zoology Department, Science Faculty, Sohag University, Sohag 52824, Egypt