Ocorrência de parasitas gastrointestinais em galinhas boschveld e landim na província e cidade de Maputo

Abstract

The Landim chicken is one of the main accessible sources of protein and income in low-income communities. In the production cycle, gastrointestinal parasites represent a significant challenge to the health of the chickens, potentially negatively impacting weight gain and consequently meat and egg production, in some cases leading to death. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in 40 Boschveld breed chickens in the Marracuene district and 80 Landim chickens sold in informal markets in the city of Maputo. A total of 120 stool samples were collected, of which 40 were taken from the floors of poultry houses in the neighborhoods (Malí, 15 de Agosto and Habel Jafar) of the Marracuene district and 80 from the floors of market cages (Xipamanine, Xiquelene and Benfica) between March and September 2024. The samples were processed using the Willis flotation method for the identification of helminth eggs and Eimeria oocysts and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZNm) technique for the identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Marracuene was 10%, being higher in the Malí neighborhood (12.5%) compared to the 15 de Agosto neighborhood (7.7%). The prevalence in informal markets was 28.75%, being higher in Xipamanine (39%) and lower in Xiquelene (13.3%). The following helminths: Ascaridia galli (49.2%), Amidostomum anseris (17.5%), Echinuria uncinata (15%), Heterakis gallinarum (7.5%), Raillietina spp. (5.8%) and Capillaria spp. (4.2%) and protozoa: Cryptosporidium spp. (17.5%), Eimeria spp. (35.8%) were observed in chickens from the three selected neighborhoods in the municipality of Marracuene, as well as in the three selected markets in the city of Maputo. The results indicate that there is no statistically significant difference between the percentage averages of the Maputo and Marracuene groups. Gastrointestinal parasites are more prevalent in chickens in selected informal markets in the city of Maputo compared to neighborhoods in the district of Marracuene, with protozoa being observed less frequently compared to helminths, and Cryptosporidium presenting zoonotic potential.

It is recommended to implement deworming and gastrointestinal parasite control protocols in Landim chickens in order to reduce the infection rate, thereby improving the quality of life of the chickens and production levels.(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)