Histopathological Alterations Associated with Cestode Infections in Backyard Poultry of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

Authors

  • Anupama Bandi Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Gannavaram-521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Malakondaiah Pattipati Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Gannavaram-521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Sreedevi Chennuru Department of Veterinary Parasitology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Gannavaram-521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Ravi Kumar Pentela Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, SVVU, Gannavaram-521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Satheesh Kokila Department of Veterinary Pathology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, SVVU, Gannavaram-521102, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Gnani Charitha Vutharamalluru Associate Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, SVVU, Proddatur-516360, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.33

Keywords:

Andhra Pradesh, Backyard poultry, Cestodes, Cotugnia digonopora, Histopathology.

Abstract

The study investigated gross and histopathological alterations associated with cestode infections in backyard poultry of Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 702 gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) from desi (indigenous) chickens were collected from local slaughter points and examined for endoparasites. Organs showing cestode infection were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed by paraffin embedding, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for microscopic evaluation. Cestode infection was detected in all examined birds (100%), either as single or mixed infections. The predominant species identified were Cotugnia digonopora, Raillietina spp., Davainea proglottina, and Amoebotaenia sphenoides. Grossly, infected intestines showed congestion, mucosal thickening, luminal obstruction, and focal petechiae. Microscopically, lesions included epithelial desquamation, villous atrophy, glandular degeneration, and infiltration of lymphocytes, mononuclear cells, and eosinophils around embedded scolices, along with congestion and cellular debris in the lumen. The findings indicate that cestode infections are highly prevalent and pathogenic in free-ranging desi fowl, hence regular deworming and improved management practices are essential to minimize economic losses in backyard poultry systems.

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References

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Published

2026-03-10

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026): The Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology (IJVSBT) (Mar-Apr) 2026

Section

Short Communication

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Copyright (c) 2026 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Bandi, A., Pattipati, M., Chennuru, S., Pentela, R. K., Kokila, S., & Vutharamalluru, G. C. (2026). Histopathological Alterations Associated with Cestode Infections in Backyard Poultry of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh . Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 22(2), 174-177. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.2.33