An aberrant location of Ascaridia galli: Gizzard impaction in Rajasri chicken: A case report

Abstract

Ascaridia galli is a major species of nemathelminthes encountered in the domestic fowl all around the world. An adult layer bird (Rajasri) of nineteen weeks age was presented for postmortem examination to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad. Clinically birds showed retarded growth, emaciation, diarrhea, unthriftiness and drooping wings. Upon necropsy examination, the carcass was emaciated and internal organs were pale. The presence of large, thick white ascarid worms were observed in gizzard, which is an aberrant location, usually these worms localize in the intestinal lumen. In the present case study the worms were located at gizzard and duodenal junction resulted in impaction. Grossly, all the visceral organs were pale, liver showed mild fatty changes with urate crystal deposits, cloudy air sacs and the entire length of intestine showed hemorrhages.