Volume 15, Issue 1: 2025 - Article 171

Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence of haemosporidian parasites in turkeys reared in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, and stratified random sampling technique. Microscopic examination of blood smears from 370 turkeys showed that 42 (11.4%) were infected with Plasmodium species which was the only haemosporidian parasite found. The Plasmodium species appeared as pigmented gametocytes within erythrocytes. Turkeys sampled at Veterinary Hospitals had the highest occurrence of Plasmodium parasites in blood (77.1%), followed by those from live bird markets (5.0%) and then those sampled from farms/households (4.3%). Male turkeys exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher occurrence (17.1%), compared to females (6.5%). The occurrence of the parasite was more common during the rainy season (18.9%) than the dry season (3.8%). Clinically sick turkeys had a higher occurrence of Plasmodium parasites (38.0%), compared to apparently healthy ones (1.5%). Extensively reared turkeys showed a higher occurrence (16.8%) compared to those reared intensively (5.9%). These findings highlight the significant risk factors (including sex, season, health status, and husbandry practices) associated with Plasmodium species infection in turkeys in the study area. Increasing awareness among stakeholders about occurrence and transmission routes of the Plasmodium parasite, and developing targeted control strategies, emphasizing biosecurity measures, and encouraging collaborative research efforts for its effective prevention and control is advocated.

Keywords: Avian haemoparasites; Plasmodium species; Turkeys; Risk factors; Microscopy.

How to cite this article:
Lawal JR, Pindar HM, Ndahi JJ, Ibrahim UI, Biu AA, Hussaini I and Sarki MJ (2025). Haemoparasite infections of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) reared in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria: Occurrence and associated risk factors. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(1): 863 – 875.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     rabana4real@unimaid.edu.ng      Phone: +2348032886428

Haemoparasite infections of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) reared in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria: Occurrence and associated risk factors

Jallailudeen R. Lawal ¹ *, Halima M. Pindar ², Juliana J. Ndahi ³, Umar I. Ibrahim ¹, Abdullahi A. Biu ², Ibrahim Hussaini ¹, Maryam J. Sarki <sup>1

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

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