18. Pathology of Heterakis gallinarum in the ceca of naturally infected chicken (Gallus Domesticus)
Abstract
Present study was aimed to examine the pathology of nematode (Heterakis gallinarum) in the ceca of local chicken (Gallus domesticus). A total of 90 chickens (Gallus domesticus) were randomly purchased from different villages and local markets of District Hyderabad, Pakistan. Birds were dissected and different parts of intestine were recovered. Out of 90 birds 83 were found infected with a variety of helminth parasites. The sex wise nematode Heterakis gallinarum was collected from cecum of infested chickens. Tissues from infected ceca were fixed in Bouin’s fluid for 24 hours for histopathological examinations using routine histological techniques, 6 μm thick sections were stained by using principal staining procedure of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The parasitic Heterakis gallinarum prevalence was 20% of infected chickens. Histopathological findings revealed sever damage of cecal architecture, necrosis of lamina propria, destruction of intestinal glands. Infected cecum was showing muscular alterations like vacuolation and tearing of muscles. Further investigations are suggested to reduce the risk factors of nematode infestation in birds which will ultimately minimize further losses.
Keywords: Chicken; Nematode parasite; Heterakis gallinarum; Pathology; Ceca
