An intensive parasitological study was conducted to assess the prevalence and pathogenic effects of helminth parasites in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Nashik district, Maharashtra, India. A total of 520 samples (40 from each of the 13 tehsils) were studied post-mortem (PM). The survey found a heterogeneous helminth fauna including Cestodes (tapeworms), Nematodes (roundworms), and Trematodes (flukes). The findings showed an overall high prevalence of cestode parasites (mean = 4.675, variance = 2.968), followed by nematodes (mean = 3.789, variance = 1.832), and trematodes (mean = 3.975, variance = 1.251). The average infection load of Cestodes was significantly higher than in any other group (t = 12.996, P < 0.001). Heavy helminth infestations were recorded as a significant cause of mortality during post-mortem examination. This study therefore recommends that Helminthosis, particularly cestodiosis, is an important health problem for poultry in the area and causes considerable financial losses to farmers. The results highlight the importance of implementing a comprehensive parasite management programme to improve poultry health and productivity in Nashik district.
Rahane et al. (Wed,) studied this question.