STUDIES ON PREVALENCE OF ASCARIASIS IN INDIGENOUS CHICKENS IN GAIBANDHA DISTRICT AND TREATMENT BY PINEAPPLE LEAVES EXTRACT

Ascariasis Chickens Antiparasitic Pineapple leaves Efficacy Ascariasis is very common in indigenous chicken causing retarded growth, low productivity and mortality. Considering the problem of Ascaridia galli in chickens, anthelmintic resistance, high cost and human health hazard of chemical anthelmintic the use of medicinal plant is an alternative choice. The study was conducted to determine the incidence of ascariasis in Polashbari upazilla of Gobindhaganj district during July to November 2012 and subsequently evaluated the efficacy of pineapple (Ananus comosus) leaves extract against ascariasis infected chickens. Out of 500 chickens examined for presence of A. galli infestation by faecal sample examination, 365 hens and 135 cocks. The 292 female (80%) and 119 male (88.15%) were found infected with A. galli. The highest infection rate 95.26% was found in 60 to 90 days of age group. Infected chickens were treated with pineapple leaves extract @ 1ml/kg body weight per OS for 7 consecutive days. The efficacy of anthelmintic treatment was evaluated by counting fecal egg per gram (EPG) compared with pretreatment values. Body weight and hematological changes of each chicken was recorded in pre and post treatment. In the untreated control chickens the average EPG increased from 300 ± 11.07 to 340 ± 13.96. The average EPG reduced from 300 ± 11.07 to 60 ± 7.40 within 28 days of pineapple treatment. The mean body weight gain in treated chicken was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control. Pineapple leaves extract increased the TEC, Hb and PCV and decreased TLC and ESR values of chickens. But in control group TEC, Hb and PCV decreased and TLC and ESR values increased. It may be concluded that pineapple leaves extract treatment effectively reduced the ascariasis load in chicken and improved body weight.


INTRODUCTION
Poultry is a promising sector in Bangladesh which is increasing day by day. Poultry production is hindered by many problems among which various diseases namely bacterial, viral and parasitic infections are the most important (Ojok, 1993). In fact poultry of Bangladesh are infested with various parasites (Sarkar, 1976). Management system plays an important role in the occurrence of parasitic disease. The parasitic load leads to lower productivity, retarded growth rate and death of birds (Barger, 1982;Sykes, 1994). Ascariasis caused by Ascaridia galli is a common parasitic problem of chicken both in rural and farm conditions in Bangladesh (Islam and Shaikh, 1967;Haq, 1986). A. galli causes extensive economic losses in different ways such as loss of weight gain, meat production, egg production and death of birds (Kamal, 1989). Piperazine citrate is widely used for the treatment of ascariasis in chickens. The use of anthelmintics by farmers for poultry parasite is not usual and strategic. Frequent and improper use of anthelmintics increases the resistant population of nematodes (Waller et al., 1987). Furthermore the withdrawal period of anthelmintic is not maitainded for consumption of poultry in Bangladesh which can cause significant health threat. Therefore, the use of safe and cost effective alternative approach for treatment of poultry parasite is necessary. There are several indigenous medicinal plants have anthelmintics action and used against both ecto and enodparasites in Bangladesh (Mostofa, 1983;Mannan et al., 1997). Pharmacological actions along with therapeutic trial of these plants may be studied experimentally, which might prove worthy of medical value. Pineapple leave extract is used as anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial and anthelmintic agent (Mostofa, 1983 andAmin et al., 2009). Considering the diversified pharmacological function of pineapple the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of pineapple leave extract on ascariasis in indigenous chicken.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur and Upazila Livestock Office, Palashbari, Gaibandha, during the period from July to November, 2012

Study area and sampling
A total of 500 native chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) of 2 to 7 months age from different villages of Palashbari Upazila of Gaibandha District were examined to study the prevalence according to sex, age and location. Fecal samples were collected from the cloaca during early in the morning. The sample were packed within polythene bags and sent as soon as possible to the laboratory for examination. Direct smear method and Stoll's ova counting technique were used for fecal sample examination following the procedure described by Urquhart (2003) and Soulsby (1982).

Experimental bird
Fourty five indigenous chickens having infection with Ascaridia galli were selected for this experiment. The chickens were allowed to take rest for 7 days for adaptation. The experiment was carried out in upazila livestock office, Palashbari, Gaibandha. The age and body weight of chickens ranged from 2 to 7 months and 300 to 500 gm, respectively. The chickens were supplied with normal diet and water.

Fecal eggs count
For determination of infectivity, fecal samples were collected and eggs were counted by Stoll's ova counting technique and direct smear method through microscopy following the procedure described by Rahman et al. (1996) and Soulsby (1982). At least three slides from each faecal sample were examined.

Drug and plant
Pineapple leaves (Ananus comosus) were collected from the horticulture garden of the University. Ten percent (10%) water extract of pineapple leaves was prepared freshly, 20 gm pineapple leaves was grinded in mortar and pastle, the extract was made in 20ml water. The extract was then administered 1ml/kg orally by dropper.

Experimental design
All the 30 chickens randomly divided into 2 groups (control and treatment). Control group was without treatment and treatment group was treated with pineapple leaves extract. Pineapple leaves extract was administered orally @ 1 ml/kg bwt by dropper by 7 consecutive days. All the chickens of treated and control groups were closely observed for 28 days after treatment and on body weight, feeding efficiency, feather coat.

Hematological examination
Blood samples were collected from the wing vein of chicken of both control and treated groups at pre-feeding and during feeding (28 days) period at 7 days interval. Total erythrocytes count (TEC), Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), Packed cell volume (PCV) and Total leukocyte count (TLC) were performed as per methods described by Schalm et al. (1975). Hemoglobin estimation was performed as per method described by Coffin (1955).

Postmortem examination
Before treatment three chickens from each group were also slaughtered to count the number of parasites (Ascarids) and to see if there were any pathological changes present. After treatment three chickens from each group were slaughtered to count number of parasites (A. galli) and to see if there were any pathological changes present on 14 th and 28 th day of treatment.

Statistical analysis
Comparison of the mean values of the treatment against those of the control was performed by Student's t-test and the level of probability considered significant when p<0.05.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Out of 500 chickens 365 were hens and 135 were cocks. Among the female 292 (80%) and male 119 (88.15%) birds were found infected with A. galli.

Prevalence of ascariasis
The prevalence of ascariasis in chickens indifferent villages of Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha district is presented in table 1. The highest (93%) and lowest (74.74%) prevalence of ascariasis were recorded in village Andua and Nuniagari, respectively.  Romanenko et al. (1985). The results indicate that the rearing or management system in different village and age factors played an important role in ascariasis in chicken.

Effect on body weight
The effect of pineapple leaves on body weight was observed for 28 days at 7 days interval. Mean body weight of each group of chickens at pretreatment and post treatment period is presented in table 2.

Effect on parasite
Pineapple leaves extract against ascariasis showed reduction of EPG count on 14thand 28thday in the treated group of chickens whereas EPG count was increased in control group ( Table 3). The data showed that pineapple leaves extract was found to be about 53% effective within 14 days of treatment and 80% effective within 28   Values given above the represent the mean ± SE of 3 chickens

Effect on hematological parameters
On day '0' the mean value of initial body weight of treated group was 430.03±5.29 gm and on the 28 th day of post treatment, the mean value of body weight was 446.096±5.26 gm. The body weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased (3.74% on 28th) at post treatment period compared to pretreatment. But percentage of body weight gain of the control group was very negligible as 0.89% on 28thday. The present findings support the earlier observation of  The administration of pineapple leaves extract increased the TEC, Hb and PCV and reduced TLC and ESR values of chicken. But in non treated control group, TEC, Hb and PCV were decreased and TLC and ESR values were increased. The maximum reduction or increased values were observed at 28thday of post treatment. Changes in hematological parameters were similarly reported by other researchers (Hoque et al., 2006;Islam et al., 2005;Khatun et al., 1995).

Postmortem examination
There was no significant pathological change in any internal organs of the chicken of the treated groups. Reduction of parasite count was found on 14 th and 28 th day in the group of chicken treated with pineapple extract. The highest reduction of number of parasites was recorded on 28 th day of treatment. On the other hand, number of parasites was increased day by day in control group A. This findings support the earlier observation made by Gauly et al. (2005) and Malakhov (1988).

Effect on feeding efficiency
Treatment of chicken with pineapple leaves extract significantly increased feeding efficiency of the chickens. But feeding efficiency decreased gradually in chickens of control group.

Effect on feather coat
The feather coats of all treated chicken were observed smooth and shiny at 28th day of Post treatment period. Rough and discoloured feather coats obverted in non treated control were due to severe parasitic infestation. A. galli is prevalent in indigenous chicken in different villages of Gaibandha district which suggest treating the infested chicken with effective anthelmintics and implementing regulars deworming program of chicken in the study areas. Pineapple leaves showed highly encouraging efficacy as an anthelmintics. Considering the availability and low cost pineapple leaves can be used to treat chicken ascariasis. Since this study is a preliminary work in a small population of chicken further studies must be carried out to evaluate the adverse effects, bio-chemical analysis of pineapple leaves against ascariasis in chickens.