The gastro-intestinal helminth infections of domestic fowl in Dschang, Western Cameroon

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty one chickens purchased from the Dschang animal market were examined for gastro-intestinal helminths. Ten species were found with the following prevalences: Heterakis brevispiculum (59.3 %), Ascaridia galli (51.6 %), Hymenolepis carioca (48.4 %), Dispharynx spiralis (20.8 %), Tetrameres americana (17.1 %), Amoebotaenia cuneata (15.1 %), Raillietina tetragona (14.5 %), Synqamus trachea (13.7 %), Hymenolepis cantaniana> (5.7 %) and Capillaria contorta< (2.0 %). Infections were predominantly mixed (93.5 %). The infection rates were not influenced by host sex except for A. galliwhich was more prevalent in cocks. Older chickens showed some resistance to A. cuneata and S. trachea. Parasite prevalences and/or worm burdens were generally higher during the rainy season (April to October).