Browsing by Author "Quizhpi Sarmiento, Valeria Micaela"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en palomas domésticas (Columba livia) y su impacto en la salud pública – Cuenca, Azuay
    (Universidad de Cuenca, 2025-02-20) Chasijuan Chicaiza, Karen Estefanía; Quizhpi Sarmiento, Valeria Micaela; López Crespo, Gonzalo Estuardo
    Domestic pigeons (Columba livia) are urban feral birds found in various countries around the world. They are considered an urban pest due to their gregarious behavior and ability to easily adapt to different environments. Cuenca is no exception to this reality. In a study conducted by the Environmental Management Commission (CGA) in 2018, nearly 3,361 pigeons were recorded across various locations in the city, with the highest concentration found in the markets in the historic center. This situation poses a public health risk due to the potential spread of infectious and parasitic diseases that could affect local residents. To assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigeons, the following study collected 345 samples of pigeons across different areas of Cuenca, including the 9 de Octubre Market, 27 de Febrero Market, 3 de Noviembre Market, 10 de Agosto Market, 12 de Abril, Santo Domingo Square, San Sebastián Square, María Auxiliadora Park, San Blas Park, El Paraíso Park, La Merced Square, and the Third Military Zone. The sample was evenly divided in terms of age and gender, with 50.4% young birds and 49.6% adults, in which 41% represent female pigeons and 59% of males. To analyze the samples, feces were collected from the cloacal area of each pigeon and processed using three techniques: two qualitative parasitological methods (sedimentation and flotation) and one quantitative method using the McMaster chamber. Parasites were detected in 41.7% of the samples, with the following species identified: Coccidia, Ascaridia spp., Capillaria spp., Heterakis spp. and Toxocara spp.