Abstract
Indigenous chickens of Bangladesh are commonly infected with Ascaridia galli and show lower growth performance. The present study was aimed to investigate prevalence of ascariasis in indigenous chicken and to find out cheaper and readily available anthelmintic against A. galli. Anthelmintic efficacy of piperazine citrate, pineapple leaves extracts and Bromelain against A. galli was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. This study was carried out in Biral and Sadar upazila, Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. A total of 500 birds from 500 households were investigated through necropsy during December 2011 to November 2012.Adult A. galli was recovered from the gut of 282 (56.4%) chickens. The prevalence of ascariasis was higher during rainy season (63.7%) followed by winter (60.2%) and summer (45.2%). Comparative anthelmintic efficacy was carried out in experimental ascariasis. The piperazine citrate, Bromelain and extract of pineapple leaves inactivated adult A. galli in PBS within 21-27 mins of exposure. These agents killed adult parasite in PBS within 53 to 65mins except crude extract, which killed parasite in 582 mins. Eggs were collected from the female A. galli and L3 developed in the egg by 13 days of incubation. Sonali chickens were infected with 500 L3 eggs that contributed 14-15% adult worm in chickens. Infested chicken (n=84) were randomly divided into groups of 12. Two birds from each of the group were sacrificed following day 41 (infection phase) of infestation in order to ensure infestation. At necropsy grossly visible lesions seen were emaciation and enteritis of infected birds. Histopathological investigation of visceral organs of infested birds showed pyknosis of hepatocytes, hemorrhagic and fragile intestinal villi. The infected birds were treated orally with piperazine citrate, ethanolic, methanolic and crude extract of pineapple leaves and Bromelain (1gm/kg BW) and anthelmintic efficacy was evaluated in terms of reduced EPG and body weight gain. Birds treated with piperazine citrate, ethanolic, methanolic extract and Bromelain showed "0" EPG following day 2, 4, 8 and 10 of treatment. Birds treated with crude pineapple leave extract showed EPG "13" on day 8 of treatment against an EPG of 800-900 as seen in infected but untreated birds. Infected birds treated with piperazine citrate, ethanolic, methanolic and crude extract of pineapple leaves and Bromelain showed body weight gain of 100±10gm, 100±15, 100±20, 90±15 and 150+20 during D70 to D80 of this study. The infected but untreated chicken showed body weight gain (60+20gm) following D70 to D80 of this study. Hematological and serum Ca and P levels were significantly reduced following infection. Infected birds treated with Bromelain showed highest efficiency in terms of eliminating adult worm early in vitro and in vivo, regain highest body weight gain following 10 days of treatment and make intestinal villi healthier. Notably serum calcium (12.11±0.10mg/dl) and phosphorus (5.96±0.18mg/dl) level appeared higher in Bromelain treated group. A. galli is a common parasite of scavenging poultry in Bangladesh and Bromelain can be a choice of next generation herbal anthelmintic. This study recommends using crude pineapple leave extract with a dose rate of 1gm per Kg for consecutive 3 days to combat ascariasis and make poultry a profitable industry in Bangladesh.