Intestinal helminth infection of pigeons (Columba livia domestica): Prevalence and histopathology

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and the histopathological changes associated with helminth parasites in their intestines. A total of 71 pigeons, 50 (30 males, 20 females) were examined for ectoparasites and 21(15 males, 7 females) for the presence of endoparasites (P-value 0.189). Thirty-six out of 50 pigeons (72 %) were infected with two species of ectoparasites (lice); Columbicola tschulyschman was found in 30 pigeons out of 36 (83.33 %), while Campanulotes compar was found in 6 pigeons (P-value < 0.001). Fifteen out of 21 (71.4 %) pigeons were infected with endoparasites, out of which 12 (80 %) had one or more species of the total 6 species of cestodes, including Raillietina tetragona (57.1 %), R. micracantha (57.1 %), Cotugnia digonopora (23.8 %), C. intermedia (9.52 %), Bothriocephalus columbae (9.52 %) and Choanotaenia infundibulum (14.28 %). Three male pigeons (14.28 %) were found to be infected with only 1 species of nematode Ascaridia columbae. All 12 pigeons (9 males, 3 females) were infected with R. tetragona and R. micracantha (57.1 %); additionally, all 12 showed triple parasitic infestation, having one other species of cestode in addition to these. Only 3 pigeons were found infected with the nematode A. columbae. The prevalence of Raillietina spp. was higher than that of other species. Males were found to be more infected than females (P-value 0.502). Histopathological fi ndings revealed destruction and shrinkage in the duodenum, necrosis and shrinkage of serosa and submucosa, villous atrophy and migratory tunnels formation, atrophic hyperplasia in the ileum, aggregate of infl ammatory lymphocytes at the lamina propria, infl ammation of villi in the rectum, cell death, infi ltration of lymphocytes, infl ammation and histological hyperplasia in the intestines. It was concluded that pigeons of the present locality were found infected with lice, cestode and nematode parasites that present a serious threat and might be injurious not only to pigeons but also to environmental contamination for humans and other animals. Further research is needed to identify the association and biological factors that affect humans.