A study on the effects of chemotherapy on experimentally induced heterakis gallinarum infestation of layer chicks

Heterakis gallinarum is the commonest nematode inhibiting the digestive tract of poultry that inflects heavy economic losses in poultry industry through causing anaemia, reduced production and loss of weight. These symptoms show that parasitic diseases are the constraints in the development of profitable poultry industry. The present study was conducted to access the effectiveness of Albendazole (Farbenda 10%, Farvet) and Fenbendazole Hunter 10, Frontline) against H. gallinarum and effects of parasitism on blood parameters such as haemoglobin, TLC, DLC and weight gain in layer chicks. For this purpose, 80, 6-week old layer (Fayoumi) were purchased from the local market and 60 birds were infected with H. gallinarum ova (100 ova/bird) through oral route while 20 bird were kept as non-infected (control). Five randomly selected birds were slaughtered post infection period at 15th day to confirm the maturity of worms. On 28th day post infection, birds were divided in to 3 groups A, B and C (15 bird/group), 15 birds retrained as control group D. Five randomly selected birds from each group were slaughtered and worm count was done. On the same day treatment trial were started. On 33rd day post-infection (5th day post-medication), all birds were slaughtered and effect of Albendazole and Fenbendazole was ascertained on the parasite by counting them. According to results obtained, Albendazole which was given to group A, was 78.88% effective while Fenbendazole which was given to group B was 72.22% effective against H. gallinarum. Blood samples were taken on 28th day and 33rd day post infection (5th day post-medication) for haematological studies. Significantly lower values of haemoglobin were estimated in infected groups A, B and C as compared to control group D, while higher values were obtained for heterophil, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil resulting in overall increase in total leukocyte count (TLC). Chicks of group A, B, C and D were we ighed on weekly basis starting from 12th day post infection to see the effect of H. gallinarum on body weight. There was a significant decrease in weight in group A, B and C as compare to control group D. Clinical signs of the diseased birds were noted and at the end of experiment, post-mortem examination was done to examine the intestinal lesions.