Survey of Helminth Parasites of Free Range Muscovy Ducks (Anas platyrynchos) Slaughtered in Gombe, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of helminths of Muscovy ducks slaughtered at six poultry dressing slabs (N = 600) within Gombe metropolis by postmortem and parasitological examination of gastrointestinal tracts and trachea. A total of eight Nematode species were identified in this present study with an overall prevalence of 98.2%. Two nematode species recovered from the intestine were Ascaridia galli 514 (85.67%) and Trichostrongylus tenus 18 (3.00%). Heterakis gallinarum 477 (79.50%), Subulura brumpti 242 (40.33%), Capillaria contorta 221 (36.83%) and Capillaria annulata 131 (21.83%) were recovered from the caecum while Tetrameres fissipina 5 (0.83%) was recovered from the gizzard and Syngamus trachea 4 (0.67%) was recovered from trachea. The prevalence of single infection with nematode species (67.2%) and was higher than mixed infection (32.8%). A total of three 3 Cestode species were recovered from the small intestine with an overall prevalence of 20.3%. Cestode species identified include Raillietina echinobothrida 62 (10.33%), Raillietina tetragona 50 (8.33%) and Hymenolepis cantaniana 10 (1.67%). The prevalence of mixed infection (17.0%) with cestodes was higher than single infection (3.3%). This study revealed that the prevalence and species distribution of nematodes was higher than cestodes in the study area. This study provides baseline data on prevalence and species distribution of helminths of Muscovy ducks in Gombe. There is therefore the need for further studies on epidemiology and economic significance of helminths of Muscovy ducks under the traditional free range management system.