Guinea Fowl Mortality Associated with Ascaridia numidae Infection

Abstract

In an organized poultry farm 8-12 weeks old grower flocks of pearl variety guinea fowls have shown symptoms like anorexia, diarrhea, lethargy and emaciation. There was also 3.5 % morality in the flock. Postmortem revealed the highly inflamed mucosa severely studded with ascarid larvae at the jejunum and ileum region. Few adult parasites were present in the lumen and were identified as Ascaridia numidae based on their microscopic morphology. Pooled droppings from pens were examined for EPG. Histopathology revealed numerous larvae in the lumen, mucosa and submousa of the intestine. Treatment with piperazine adipate significantly reduced the mortality to 0.8 %. EPG was significantly reduced after treatment. All these findings indicated that the cause of morbidity and mortality in pearl variety guinea fowls was due to A. numidae infection.