Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Domesticated Rock Doves (Columba livia domestica) in Gombe State, Nigeria

Avian haemosporidian infections are widespread and can result in the decline of populations or extinction of birds' species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in 570 rock doves sampled from household and live birds markets from Gombe State, Nigeria. Blood samples were microscopically examined for the presence of haemoparasites, and the overall prevalence of avian haemosporidiosis was 41.8%. The prevalence of haemosporidian was significantly higher (P <0.0001; χ2 = 16.665) in doves from live birds' markets (25.8%) compared to households (25.8%). Prevalence was also higher (P = 0.2027; χ2 = 1.623) in female (22.3%) compared to male (19.5%) doves. Out of the 238 infected doves, 82 (14.4%) were infected with Haemoproteus, 58 (10.2%) with Plasmodium and 40 (7.0%) with Leucocytozoon species. 25 doves (4.4%) had mixed infection with Haemoproteus + Plasmodium species, 21 (3.7%) had mixed Leucocytozoon species + Plasmodium species infections while 12 (3.7%) had mixed Haemoproteus + Plasmodium + Leucocytozoon species infections. Prevalence of all avian haemosporidian species were higher (P > 0.05) in doves sampled from live birds' markets compared to those from households, and all avian haemosporidian species except Leucocytozoon species were higher (P > 0.05) in female than in male doves. It is recommended that awareness campaign to educate the poultry farmers and sellers on how to improve management practices is necessary so as to prevent widespread transmission of the haemosporidian parasites amongst domesticated birds.