Malaria Parasites and Packed Cell Volume of Free Range Poultry in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Malaria parasites and packed cell volume offree range poultry was conducted on one hundred free range chickens collected from three communities in Abeokuta (Osiele, Lafenwa and Kuto). The results revealed that out of the 100 free range chickens examined, 13(13%) were infected with avian malaria parasite. Hematological parameter i.e. packed cell volume (PCV) revealed that chicken with PCV range 16-20 were 33.33% positive for malaria parasite. Others between PCV ranges 21 – 25 were 33.3%, while those between PCV ranges of 26 – 30 were 16.66% and those with PCV range of 31 – 35 were 16.67%.Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference between packed cell volume and malaria parasite(p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between sex and malaria parasite(p>0.05). The presence of avian malaria parasites in the study area could be of some epidemiological implications since the infected poultry could act as reservoir for malaria parasites.