Occurrence of Plasmodium gallenaecium Parasites in Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of forty six Local Chickens (Gallus gallus) were obtained from Wudil Market in Wudil Local Government Area in January 2009. The birds were screened for malaria parasite by making thick and thin blood films on slides. The slides were examined for the presence of plasmodium parasite (parasitaemia Value). Results of investigation show Plasmodium gallenaecium in nine chickens out of the forty six tested. The frequency of occurrence in the birds is 19.6%. The parasitaemia value is 100-1000 cells per microscopic field. However the distribution of the parasite among the host birds was statistically significant at P= 0.05. This finding has thus called immediate massive screening of chickens in Kano for this plasmodium specie with a view to elucidating its molecular and virulence nature as agent of avian malaria.

Keywords: Local Chickens (Gallus gallus), Wudil Market, Plasmodium gallenaecium, avian malaria

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [1] March 2012, pp. 97-101