Gastrointestinal parasites of domesticated duck (<I>Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, </I>1758) in Chandragiri municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Intestinal parasitosis is one of the chief causes of health problems associated with domesticated and free-range ducks particularly in developing  countries. Among the various health problems amoebiasis and helminthic infection are still significant among ducks (Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758) in Nepal. We report the status of intestinal parasitosis, particularly the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites of ducks reared in three different locations (Bishnu-Devi, Kanchan-Basti and Balambu) of Chandragiri Municipality from November 2016 to February 2017 using opportunistic random method. A total of 120 faecal samples collected in clean, dry and screw-capped plastic containers from six different locations were examined for the presence of parasites using formol-ether concentration method and modified Ziehl Neelsen staining technique, sodium chloride floatation and zinc sulphate sedimentation methods. Overall parasite positive rate was 81.67% (98/120). Positive rate of nematodes was highest (74.49%; 73/98) followed by cestodes (52.04%; 51/9) and protozoans (41.84%; 41/98) (P<0.05). A total of 78 (65.00%) samples showed single infections and 20 (16.67%) samples showed mixed infection (χ2 = 5.55; P<0.05). Statistical analysis indicated that locations were insignificantly associated with the infection by gastrointestinal tract parasites in the study areas. A total of eight (8) genera of parasites were identified which include two genera of protozoa, five genera of nematodes and one genera of cestodes. Of these, Ascaridia galli (21.67%) was found to have the highest prevalence and Isospora sp. (6.67%) to be the lowest. Gastrointestinal tract parasites were the major biological constraints contributing to
the low productivity of ducks and hampered the economic benefits obtained from the sector. Improvement of biosecurity measures for household duck farms through educating and motivating household farmers could help mitigate the effects of parasitic infection on production.

Keywords: Duck, Nematode, Cestode, Kathmandu, Chandragiri