ABSTRACT
Newcastle disease (ND) and gastrointestinal (GIT) helminths remain constant threats to pigeon production in Nigeria and other parts of the world. It was against this background that this study was carried out, to determine the prevalence and risk factors for ND and GIT helminths of domestic pigeon (Columba liviadomestica) in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 780 each of blood samples and GIT contents (comprising 260 each from households, live bird markets( LBM) and commercial farms) were collected from purposively sampled pigeons in the study area. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was conducted according to standard protocols on serum samples to determine the presence and titre of ND antibodies. Parasitological examinations were performed on the GIT contents using gross examination for adult helminths and Simple flotation technique for helminth eggs. A structured questionnaire was also administered to owners of pigeons to evaluate the risk factors for occurrence and spread of ND and GIT helminths. Pearson Chi square was used to determine if the risk factors were significant, while Univariate Odd‟s Ration was used at 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the strength of association between the factors and ND and GIT helminths. The overall seroprevalence of ND antibodies in domestic pigeons was 28.1%. The prevalence of ND in pigeons in households, LBMs and commercial farms were 26.2%, 16.5% and 41.5%, respectively. The overall mean ND antibody titre of the domestic pigeons was 2.13 ± 0.65 log2. The highest mean ND antibody titre was observed in pigeons in commercial farms (2.38 ± 0.34log2) when compared to those in households (1.90 ± 0.20 log2) and LBMs (2.12 ± 0.26 log2). An overall prevalence rate of 46% was observed for GIT helminths, with the domestic pigeons predominantly infested with Raillietinatetragona (12.9%), Raillietinaechinibothrida (13.2%), Railliettinacesticillus (7.4%), Ascaridiacolumbae (6.2%) and Ascaridiagalli (6.3%). Thehighest prevalence of intestinal helminths was observedin domestic pigeons in households (22.6%) in comparison to those in LBMs (12.2%) and commercial farms (11.3%). The study revealed that 12 (63.2%) of the 19 risk factors evaluated were significant (p≤0.05). The most significant risk factor was allowing pigeons to mix with other birds species (p = 0.001, OR = 11.58, 95%CI = 0.24-54.34) and allowing pigeons access to poultry house (p = 0.002, OR: 11.12, 95%CI: 0.80 – 6.36). The present study established that pigeons in the study area might have been exposed to ND virus or pigeon paramyxovirus type 1. The low ND HI titre implies that pigeons in the study area were not adequately protected against ND, and infestation of the domestic pigeons by GIT helminths was high. Majority of the risk factors for the occurrence and spread of ND and GIT helminths in domestic pigeons in Kano Metropolis were significant. Further studies should be conducted to isolate the ND virus and other parasites of domestic pigeons in the study area.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The poultry population in Nigeria was estimated at 104.3 million, comprising 72.4 million chickens, 11.8million ducks, 4.7million guinea fowls, 15.2 million pigeons and 0.2million turkeys (FDLPCS, 1992). Pigeons are one of the few domesticated birds, kept by humans for variety of purposes such as food, hobby (racing) and treatment of various diseases (Sari et al., 2008).The contributions of pigeons have not yet been defined in relation to the contribution of livestock sub-sector and whole poultry production, though the pigeons provide alternative source of animal protein. Comparatively low investment, less care, less feed and housing cost are involved, easy and economic husbandry practices, are required for pigeon farming. This is in addition to the short reproduction cycle and less disease occurrence (Barber et al., 2010). However, a variety of diseases affect pigeons, but viral diseases predominate (Opara et al., 2012; Chaka et al., 2013). Newcastle disease (ND) is among the most important viral diseases of poultry in Nigeria as it causes severe economic losses in bird populations, resulting from illness, reduced egg production, immunosuppression, and death (Abdu et al., 2006).Newcastle disease ranked as one of the chief constraints to the development of rural poultry production in Nigeria and in most developing countries, triggering serious dangers and concerns (Shamaki et al., 1989; Oladele et al., 2003). In pigeons, ND is caused by pigeon paramyxovirus serotype-1, which is closely related, but not identical to the paramyxovirus causing the disease in other avian species (Alexander, 2003). The disease in pigeons is characterized mainly by sudden onset of listlessness, in-appetence, nervous manifestations and inability to fly (Jaganathan et al., 2015). Morbidity and mortality averages 100 and 80%, respectively (Otim et al., 2007). Several outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been reported in pigeon lofts throughout the world (Eisa and Omer,1984). The susceptibility of pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and other members of the Columbidae family to ND viruses has been related by several authors (Kapczynski et al.,2006) and it became clear that the disease in pigeons occurs as a result of the spread from diseased chicken flocks, as well as from domesticated or feral pigeons to poultry (Toro et al., 2005). Several health problems can affect pigeons, but parasite infections play a major role (Marcia et al., 2007). It is also important to note that pigeons feed on a wide range of food items, which include grains, slugs, earthworm and insects, and these in many instances may carry infective stages of helminths (Soulsby,1982; Marcia et al., 2007). Several helminths infections are considered as one of the greatest impediments to profitable pigeon production in Nigeria (Opara et al., 2012)
1.2 Statement of Research Problems
Several helminths have been implicated in causing morbidity and mortality in domestic pigeons (Soulsby,1982). Helminths infections may have particularly deleterious or debilitating effects on infected birds, especially the young ones (squabs), causing retarded growth by interfering with healthy development. In addition, infection makes older birds prone to secondary infections (Soulsby, 1982) Generally, there is paucity of information on parasites of pigeons in Kano Metropolis. In Zaria, the only two reports on helminths of pigeons are those of Abdu et al (2004) and Adang et al (2008). Reports on studies done outside Zaria include those of Dede and Richards (1998) and Atsineka and Banke (2006) in the North Eastern and North Central (Makurdi) part of Nigeria, respectively.Several helminths have been implicated in causing morbidity and mortalityin domestic pigeons (Atsineka and Banke, 2006), and are considered as the greatest impediments to profitable pigeon production in Nigeria (Abdu et al., 2004).
Pigeon plays an important role in the epidemiology of several poultry diseases, for example, Geidam et al. (2006) reported that pigeons experimentally infected with chickens isolate of Infectious bursal disease virus, did not manifest any clinical signs throughout the period of the study, but demonstrated antibodies against the virus.In Nigeria, ND is endemic with the occurrence of outbreaks even after vaccination (Sa‟idu et al.,2004; Nwanta et al., 2008; Sa‟idu et al., 2008). The disease has being regarded as the most economically important disease that devastated village poultry in Nigeria (Abdu et al., 2005). It was reported that the Newcastle epizootic in Europe during 20th century were as a result of chickens fed feed contaminated with pigeon faeces (Eisa and Omer,1984).
1.3 Justification of the Research
Profitable pigeon farming may be an easy and reliable source of employment opportunity, way of family labour utilization and cash income. Sustainable and increased rate of pigeon farming may also reduce the deficiency of animal protein in meals of the populace, reduce poverty and improve the socio-economic status of the poor rural communities (Bunbury et al., 2008; Catroxo et al., 2011). In the light of the aforementioned reasons, the demand for domesticated pigeons (Columba livia domestica) is of late on the increase as indicated by records in slaughter houses and sales at barbecue spots in many towns and villages of Northern Nigeria,thus making pigeons more expensive than beefand chicken sold at these barbecue spots. The report by Eisa and Omer (1984) which linked the 20th century ND epizootic in Europe to feeding of chickens with feed contaminated with faeces of ND-infected pigeons necessitate that the ND status in our local pigeons be determined using serology. Also, assessment of helminth burden in pigeons is needful, since infection may affect the overall wellbeing, and consequently, market value of the birds. The findings of this study may provide useful information to other researchers as well as farmers of pigeons in order to increase productivity in Kano State and other parts of Nigeria.
1.4 Aim of the Study
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ND and GIT helminths in domestic pigeons, as well as the risk factorsassociated with acquisition of each of the two diseases.
1.5 Objective of the Study
Objectives of this study were to:
- Determine the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in domesticpigeons in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria.
- Identify and determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in domesticpigeons in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria.
- Evaluate the risk factors for occurrence and spread of Newcastle disease and gastrointestinal helminths in domesticpigeons in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria.
1.6 Research Questions
- What is the seroprevalence of ND in domesticpigeons in Kano metropolis, Nigeria?
- What is the prevalence of GIT helminths of domestic pigeons in Kano metropolis, Nigeria?
- What are the risk factors that may contribute to occurrence and spread of ND and GIT helminths of domestic pigeons in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria?
