Occurrence and lesions associated with Echinostoma revolutum in free-range chickens in Kenya

Abstract

The study was carried out between November 2008 and April 2009 to investigate the occurrence and pathology due to Echinostomum revolutum in free-range indigenous chickens. One hundred and fifty six (156) indigenous chickens were purchased from various farms (108) and markets (48) in Nairobi, Thika and Kiambu districts using randomised purposive sampling method. The distribution of the 108 birds from the farms was Nairobi (36), Thika (36) and Kiambu (36) birds. Birds were transported alive in cages to University of Nairobi, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Kabete for laboratory examination. A thorough post mortem examination was performed on each bird and the isolated worms from the ceaca, large intestines, cloaca and oviduct were identified and quantified. Tissues were collected for histopathology, processed, examined and the severity of the lesions determined. Echinostoma revolutum was recovered in the caeca and large intestines of 3/156 (1.9 %) birds but not in cloaca and oviduct. The affected birds originated from market in Kiambu District. Birds from the other areas did not have E. revolutum The parasites caused heamorrhages and typhylo-enteritis in the affected birds. Other worms observed from these organs were Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Heterakis isolonche, Heterakis dispar, Subulura brumpti, Raillietina echinobothrida and Hymenolepis contaniana. The trematodes are reported in Kenya for the first time.