Abstract

Jonathan Joseph, Wama Binga Emmanuel, Vera Akwa Yafeh, Ifeanyi Oscar and Ndimkaoha Aguzie*

Prevalence of Emeria species among domesticated pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Maiduguri Metropolis was investigated. Floatation method was used to concentrate the coccidian oocysts using saturated sucrose solution. Sporulation technique was used to determine the size and morphological characteristics of the oocysts. Overall, 41 (40.6%) out of a total of 101 faecal samples examined were infected. Four parasite species under the genus Eimeria were isolated namely: E. columbae, E. tropicalis, E. columbarum, and E. labbeana; and at prevalence of 36.6%, 6.9%, 5.9% and 5.9% respectively. The difference in prevalence of the parasite species was significant (χ2 = 76.577, p < 0.0001). Young pigeons were significantly more infected (53.1%) than adults (28.2%) (p < 0.05). E. tropicalis oocysts had the largest size (21.5µm by 20.5µm) followed by E. labbeana oocyst (16.5µm by 15.0µm). E. columbae had the longest sporulation time of 96 hours while E. labbeana had the shortest, 24 hours. This study provides information on the prevalence and veterinary significance of Eimeria oocysts of pigeons in Maiduguri Metropolis.