Assessment of Nematode diversity in the gastrointestinal tract of local pigeon (Columba livia) in District Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtukhwa, Pakistan

This research sought to assess the diversity of gastrointestinal nematodes in pigeons. A total of 62 pigeons, comprising 33 males and 29 females, were randomly acquired from avian vendors in the Nowshera district between September 2015 and June 2016. Dissection revealed that 17.74% of pigeons (n=11) were infected with four distinct kinds of gastrointestinal nematodes. The detected nematodes were Ascaridia columbae 8.06% (n=5), Ascaridia galli 6.45% (n=4), Heterakis bosia 1.61% (n=1), and Ascaridia trilabium 1.61% (n=1). Despite a greater infection rate of nematodes in female pigeons compared to males, the statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between the sexes (X2=1.06; df=1; P > 0.05) using Chi-square at a 95% confidence interval. The incidence of single and double infections was determined to be 14.51% (n=9) and 4.83% (n=3), respectively. The statistical analysis (X2=2.7; df=1; P>0.05) indicated no significant difference in the prevalence of single versus double infections. Out of 62 faecal samples analysed, merely 8.06% (n=5) were positive for mixed intestinal helminths, comprising cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes. It is established that pigeons in district Nowshera host several types of helminths and perpetuate the transmission of illnesses to healthy birds.