الفهرس 
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Abstract
In the current investigation, intestines from 740 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and 100 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were collected from different local markets from June 2015 to May 2016 to investigate the prevalence and biodiversity of intestinal helminths in Beni-Suef province. Samples were transferred to the Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University for necropsy and further investigations. Each intestinal sample was divided into foregut, midgut and hindgut. Each section was opened separately in a physiological saline. All recovered helminths were thoroughly washed with normal saline, put in a separate jar and left to settle down for 30 minutes. The sediment was separately examined by the naked eye and under a dissecting microscopy.
Tapeworms and flatworms were fixed in formalin acetic acid alcohol, stained with dilute aceto-alum carmine and differentiated in acid alcohol. The stained specimens were dehydrated through passage in several ascending grades of alcohol (50, 70, 90, 95% and absolute ethyl alcohol). Clearing process was carried out in clove oil for period of time followed by xylene for few minutes to avoid excessive hardening of the specimens. Canada balsam was used to make permanent mounts. Roundworms were cleared in lactophenol and mounted in glycerol jelly.
The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 11.76% (87/740) in pigeons and 6% (6/100) in turkeys. Pigeons were infected by at least 19 species of enteric helminths. Multiple infections were found in two cases.
The recovered helminths were identified as trematode (1/740; 0.14%), cestodes (54/740; 7.3%) and nematodes (33/740; 4.5%). A total of 5 identified and 5 unidentified trematodal species, 5 cestodal species and 4 nematodal species were recovered from intestines. The least common helminth group was trematodes (One/740; 0.14%). The identified trematodal species were Brachylaima cribbi, Brachylaima columbae, Brachylaima virginianus, Brachylaima eophonae, Brachylaima spinulosus. 5 Brachylaima spp. were unidentified.
Adult Brachylaima spp. was first described from pigeons in Egypt. Further investigations including both morphological and molecular tools are needed to identify Brachylaimidae in pigeons.
The most common helminth group was cestodes in all examined birds. The most prevalent species was Raillietina echinobothrida (33/740; 4.46%) followed by Raillietina cesticillus (7/740; 0.95%) and Raillietina tetragona (7/740; 0.95%). The least common tapeworms were cotugnia digonopora (5/740; 0.68%) and Hymenolepis carioca (2/740; 0.27%).
The most prevalent nematodal species was Ascaridia columbae (22/740; 2.97%) followed by Subulura brumpti (6/740; 0.81%). The lowest prevalent species was Heterakis gallinarum (3/740; 0.41%) and Capillaria sp. (2/740; 0.27%).
It has been found that the highest prevalence of worm infection was found in summer 29/160 (18.13%) and in spring (3/21; 14.29%). Meanwhile, the lowest infection recorded in winter (35/309; 11.33%) and in autumn (20/250; 8.0%). Trematodal worms (Brachylaima spp.) were found in winter. Concerning cestodes, it was observed that Raillietina echinobothrida and Raillietina cesticillus were more prevalent in autumn and winter, however, Raillietina tetragona was found in low percent in both summer and winter. Cotugnia digonopora was found in autumn, winter and summer in a very low prevalence rate. Hymenolepis carioca was detected in autumn only. Meanwhile, the nematodal worm; Ascaridia columbae was more predominant in summer and winter. Subulura brumpti was more prevalent in summer. Heterakis gallinarum was recorded in winter and summer. Capillaria sp. was only detected in summer. The highest worm burden was recorded in R. echinobothrida (from 1 to 41 worms per bird) and A. columbae (from 1 to 171worms per bird).
In turkeys, results revealed that 6/100 (6%) turkeys were infected with intestinal helminths. The only recovered worms in turkeys were ascaridia dissimilis which recorded in summer with intensity of one-165.
Conclusion
Trematodes were of the lowest among parasitized pigeons in such investigation. This might be due to the low exposure of pigeons to free water infested with snails which considered the known carriers of trematodes. Cestodes were more prevalent than nematodes and trematodes in domestic pigeons in Beni-Suef province. Raillietina spp. were the predominant cestodal species detected in this study. Among nematodes, Ascaridia columbae has the highest infection rate. It has been found that the highest prevalence of worm infection was found in summer. Meanwhile, the lowest infection was recorded in winter and autumn. Mixed infections in two cases (one was infected with trematodes and a nematode, and the other harboured a nematode and a cestode). Accordingly, anthelmintic program all over the year especially in the wet season may be more successful in reducing worm infections. Further investigations including both morphological and molecular tools are needed to identify helminths in pigeons.