The research article investigates the comparative therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin and piperazine citrate against Ascaridia galli infestation in commercial layer birds and rural poultry. The study concludes that piperazine citrate exhibits better efficacy compared to ivermectin, particularly in both types of poultry examined. The findings suggest that piperazine is the preferred anthelmintic for treating A. galli infestations due to its higher success rates.

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Scholar’s Advances in Animal and Veterinary Research, 1(1): 20-24.
http: //www.mrscholar.com; ISSN: 2409-5281
Research Article
Comparative Therapeutic Efficacy of Ivermectin and Piperazine Citrate against Ascaridia
galli in Commercial and Rural Poultry
Zia-ur-Rehman1
, Ashar Mahfooz1
, Tanveer Ahmad1
, Sultan Mahmood2
, Ghulam Abbas2
, Muhammad Ijaz
Saleem*1
, Asif Iqbal3
, Faisal Siddique4
and Muhammad Fiaz5
1
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery; 2
Department of Poultry Science, 3
Department of Parasitology,
4
Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040- Pakistan and 5
Livestock and Dairy
Development Department Pakistan
*Corresponding author: drijazsaleem@gmail.com
ARTICLE HISTORY A B S T R A C T
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
February 12, 2014
March 25, 2014
April 30, 2014
The research was conducted to investigate the comparative therapeutic efficacy
of Ivermectin and Piperazine citrate against Ascaridia galli in commercial layer
birds and rural poultry. Two experiments were conducted, each representing
commercial layer birds and rural poultry, respectively. Each experiment
consisted of 4 groups of 15 birds each, named A, B, C, D, (Experiment-1) and
W, X, Y and Z (Experiment-2). At first, Albendazole was administered, @ dose
of 14mg /kg, in all birds to make them parasite free. In groups A, B, C, W, X
and Y, Ascaridia galli infection was inoculated, PO, @ dose rate of 2500
embryonated eggs/bird, using a crop tube. Five birds, from each treatment
group were euthanized at day 28th
of confirm parasitic infestation. Ivermectin
@ dose rate of 200µg/kg was given PO, in birds of treatment groups A and W
and Piperazine citrate, @ dose rate of 32 mg/100 kg, PO, in birds of treatment
groups C and Z. At post treatment day 5th
and 10th,
five birds were euthanized
from each group to detect the comparative therapeutic efficacy of anthelmintic
used. Piperazine citrate presented better efficacy against Ascaridia galli as
compared to Ivermectin.
All copyright reserved to Mr.Scholar
Key words:
Ascaridia galli
Ivermectin
Piperazine citrate
Poultry
To Cite This Article: Rehman Z. U., A Mahfooz, T. Ahmad, S. Mahmood, G. Abbas, M. I. Saleem, A Iqbal, F
Siddique, and M. Fiaz. 2014. Comparative therapeutic efficacy of Ivermectin and Piperazine citrate against
Ascaridia galli in commercial and rural poultry. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 1(1): 20-24.
INTRODUCTION
Helminthiasis is one of the major problems of free
ranging poultry. Mixed helminthes infestation in rural
poultry has been reported from various corner of the
world (Ekpo, et al., 2010; Dube, et al., 2010; Ahmad et
al., 2011; Tandon, et al., 2011; & Nnadi and George,
2010). Helminthosis causes serious health effects and
injurious to poultry birds. Few reports are available on
parasitic infestation in rural poultry (East Java - He et
al., 1990), India (Mir, 1992), Pakistan (Khan et al.,
1994) and South Africa (Mwale and Patrick, 2011).
Among all parasites Ascaridia galli infestation counts
37.5% in local chickens, broiler and layers (Ogbaje et
al., 2012). The first report on identification of Ascaridia
galli, as a widely prevalent nematode from all over the
world was made by Soulsby, in 1982. This parasite
occurs in all species of poultry, but the principal host

2. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 20-24.
21
was assumed to be the chicken. The eggs of this worm
are elliptical and covered with chitinous shell that
enclosed the embryo (Lalchhandama, 2010). In deep
litter systems, these eggs can remain infective for years,
depending on the temperature, humidity, pH and
ammonium concentration. Larvae of Ascaridia galli are
more commonly localized within the epithelium or in
the lumen of the crypts (Olivares et al., 2012).
Ascaridia galli causes anorexia, diarrhea, dehydration,
stunted growth, unthriftiness, drooping wings, ruffled
feathers, weight loss, reduced feed consumption rates,
changes in behavior, dullness, lethargy and misshaped
and soft thin shelled eggs in poultry (Kaufmann et al.,
2011).
Anthelmintics are effective in treatment of
helminthes infestation, but have different range of
efficacy against Ascaridia galli infestation. Ivermectin
has a broad spectrum of activity against nematodes and
ectoparasites of animals and is in use since a decade. It
is moderately well absorbed following oral
administration @ a dose range of 200-300 ug/kg body
weight (Hayes and Laws, 1991). Rehman, et al. (2009)
reported 100% therapeutic efficacy of Ivermectin
against ectoparasites. Different biologists have
demonstrated interaction of Ivermectin against
Ascaridia galli and reported variable results. Oksanen
and Nikander (1989) used Ivermectin @ dose rate of
0.2 or 0.8 mg/kg orally as well as intramuscularly and
reported unsatisfactory results, whereas, Sharma (1990)
reported it 90% efficient against immature and 95%
against mature Ascaridia galli worms. Shahadat, et al.
(2008) observed that Ivermectin is more efficient than
any other drug against Ascaridia galli.
The Piperazine salts are potent anthelmintics which
act as pharmacological analogue of a natural inhibitory
neurohormone. Different scientists reported that the
Piperazine is a drug of choice against helminthes.
Pavlicek, et al. (1976) envisaged that efficacy of
Piperazine ranged from 17-67%, while Ashraf (1980)
stated that Piperazine was 100% effective against
mature and 72% for immature Ascaridia galli worms.
Similarly, Sharif (1980) envisaged that Piperazine was
100% affected against Ascaridia galli. Elahi (1982)
observed 100% and 81.5% efficacy of Piperazine
against mature and immature Ascaridia galli worms,
respectively. Sharma (1990) administered Piperazine
dihydrochloride, at dose of 64, 80 and 100 mg/kg body
weight and reported its efficacy as 83%, 94% and
100%, respectively. Ihsanullah (1999) reported that
Piperazine was 88.66% efficient at day 7 and 99.31% at
day 14 post treatment.
The proposed study was designed with the aim to
determine the comparative therapeutic efficacy of
Ivermectin and Piperazine citrate against induced
Ascaridia galli infestation in commercial layers and
rural poultry birds.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental Protocol: A total of 120 birds 7-9 week
age groups (60 layers birds of white leg horn,
experiment-1 and 60 of rural poultry birds, experiment-
2) were acquired and kept at poultry shed of the
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. These birds were
fed on commercial feed, ad libitum, for 7 days for
acclimatization. After then, all birds were dewormed,
using Albendazole, @ dose of 14 mg/kg to make them
free from any parasitic infestation (Chaddha, et al.,
2005). They were subjected to fecal examination (one
week later) to confirm parasite free, using salt flotation
centrifugal technique of Soulsby (2005).
The commercial layer birds were then divided into
4 groups, each with 15 birds, i.e. A, B, C, and D
(Experiment-1) and the rural poultry birds groups, W,
X, Y and Z (Experiment-2), have same number of
birds/group as above. Ascaridia galli were acquired
from the Department of Parasitology, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad. The birds in groups A, B, C,
W, X and Y were inoculated PO with Ascaridia galli
infestation, @ dose rate of 2500 embryonated eggs per
bird in dilution with buffer solution using a crop tube.
Birds of groups C and Y were kept as positive control
(infected + untreated) and groups D and Z were kept as
absolute control (Uninfected untreated). Ivotek ® (Star
Labs) was given to each bird of group A and W, @
dose of 0.75ml/bird and Digestion ® (UTD), was given
to birds of group B and Y, @ dose of 2.5 gm/bird, PO.
At 33th
and 38th
days post-infection (i.e. 5th
and 10th
Experiment No. 1: Experiment protocol using layers birds
Bird groups Experiment Status
A Infected + Ivermectin
B Infected + Piperazine citrate
C Infected + un-medicated
D Control (uninfected un-medicated)
Experiment No. 2: Experiment protocol using rural poultry
bird
Bird groups Experiment Status
W Infected + Ivermectin
X Infected + Piperazine citrate
Y Infected un-medicated
Z Control (uninfected un-medicated
Birds of infected groups were inoculated with embryonated
eggs, @ dose of 2500/bird. The Ivermectin was used @ dose
of 200 ug/kg and Piperazine citrate, @ dose of 32 mg/kg
body weight.

3. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 20-24.
22
days post-medication), fecal samples were collected
and worm load was counted in all birds by using
McMaster counting Technique (Soulsby, 2005). The
percentage efficacy of each drug was calculated by
formula as described by (Thrusfield, 2007).
Drug Efficacy % = T.W.C - T.W.T x 100 / T.W .C
Other Parameters: Following parameters were also
studied during the experiment.
1. Clinical signs associated with A. galli infestation
were recorded during post inoculation study period.
2. Reduction in mature and immature parasitic burden
following the use of both treatment protocols.
3. Body weight gain of each bird was calculated at
weekly intervals.
4. FCR (feed conversion ratio) of all birds in both
experiment groups was also calculated at weekly
intervals, using the following formula.
FCR: Feed consumed / Live Weight
Statistical analysis: The data thus collected was
subjected to statistical analysis for the interpretation of
results using ANOVA with completely randomized
design. The treatment means were compared using
Duncan Multiple Range Test (Steel et al., 1996).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The treatment efficacy of Ivermectin and Piperazine
citrate against mature Ascaridia galli worms in
commercial layer birds of treated groups (A and B),
was 79.10% and 87.91% at day 5th
and 94.11% and
100% at day 10th
post-medication. Using the same
anthelmintics, against immature worms, the efficacy
rate were 72.41% and 79.30% at day 5th
and 86.11%
and 97.22% at day 10th
post treatment, respectively.
Similarly, the efficacy rate of Ivermectin against mature
Ascaridia galli worms in rural poultry, at day and 5th
and 10th
post treatment, in birds of groups W were
72.28% and 89.76% respectively. Whereas, the efficacy
rate of Piperazine citrate, against mature Ascaridia galli
worms, in birds of group X, on similar days, were
74.39% and 95.59%, respectively. Although efficacy of
both drugs in group W and X against immature worms
were 59.64%, 87.71% at day 5th
(post treatment) and
85.56%, 98.96% at day 10th
(post treatment)
respectively. FCR of Piperazine citrate treated birds (B)
was 3.84 while FCR of Ivermectin treated birds was
3.89. In other side FCR of Piperazine treated birds in
rural poultry was 4.05 and that of Ivermectin treated
group was 3.98. This indicated that FCR of
Piperazine treated birds (Commercial layer birds
Table: 1: Comparative therapeutic efficacy of Ivermectin
and Piperazine citrate against Ascaridia galli in commercial layer
birds
Medicine used Ascaridia galli Therapeutic efficacy (%)
5th
day 10th
day
Ivermectin Mature 79.1 94.11
Ivermectin Immature 72.41 86.11
Piperazine citrate Mature 87.91 100
Piperazine citrate Immature 79.30 97.22
Table: 2: Comparative therapeutic efficacy of Ivermectin
and Piperazine citrate against Ascaridia galli in rural poultry
birds
Drug Ascaridia galli Drug efficacy (%)
5th
day 10th
day
Ivermectin Mature 72.82 89.76
Ivermectin Immature 58.64 58.56
Piperazine citrate Mature 74.39 95.59
Piperazine citrate Immature 87.71 98.96
Table 3: Feed intake, weight gain and FCR of the
commercial poultry during the study period
Parameters Bird Groups
A B C D
Feed intake (gm)
Week 1 175.08 172.17 169.08 169.16
2 255.50 267.91 226.91 273.8
3 337.5 330.1 257.04 345.9
4 400.54 409.93 290.57 446.03
5 492.58 495.18 357.15 515
Weight gain (gm)
Week 1 50 48.50 47.90 47.90
2 70 73 61 74
3 90 88.5 68 94
4 110 107 72.28 118
5 125 127.3 87.11 134.6
FCR
Week 1 3.56 3.55 3.53 3.53
2 3.65 3.67 3.71 3.70
3 3.75 3.73 3.78 3.68
4 3.85 3.84 4.02 3.78
5 3.95 3.89 4.10 3.83
Group A: Ivermectin, @ 200 µg/kg/body weight; Group B:
Piperazine citrate, @ 32mg/kg body weight; Group C: 2500
embryonated eggs of Ascaridia galli; Group D: Control
group.
and rural layer birds) is better than that of Ivermectin
treated birds. In our finding it was seen that the effect of
high dietary protein (commercial feed) improves the
high establishment of A. galli infections in the gut of
layers. It is due because nutritional requirements of A.
galli includes protein, fat and carbohydrates which is
available in high protein level feed. In our finding
enteritis, ulceration, hemorrhagic enteritis, anemia,
severe diarrhea, anorexia, emaciation and death was
seen made by the A. galli which co-relates to the

4. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 20-24.
23
different scientists (Soulsby, 1982).There was a
negative effect on weight gain in birds having worm
load of Ascaridia galli which is consistent to the studies
of Kaufmann et al. (2011).
Ivermectin was 94.11% and 86.11% effective
against mature and immature stages of A. galli in
commercial layer birds respectively which is consistent
with Sharma et al. (1990). Ivermectin was 89.76% and
65.56% effective against mature and immature A. galli
in rural poultry as it is less effective in rural poultry.
Piperazine is 100%, 97% effective against mature and
immature A. galli in commercial layer birds and
95.59%, 98.96% effective against mature and
immature A. galli in rural poultry which correlates with
the investigation made by the (Elahi, 1982; Ashraf,
1980). Jacques et al. (2012) reported that Piperazine
citrate is more effective against Ascaridia galli than that
of the papaya seeds and same is reported by Hafiz et al.
(2009) that Piperazine citrate is more effective against
Ascariasis than either of Albendazole or Ivermectin. Ali
et al. (2011) investigated that broilers infected with
Ascaridia galli and then treated with powdered leaves
of Neem, pineapple and Piperazine hydrate showed
changes in the level of glucose, cholesterol, total
protein, albumin, magnesium, potassium, and SGPT.
Begum et al. (2010) reported pineapple leaves as a
substitute of Piperazine. Patra et al. (2010) investigated
that treatment of the Ascaridia galli with Piperazine
citrate, Neem and Pineapple leaves evacuated parasites
Table 4: Feed intake, weight gain and FCR in rural poultry
birds during the study period.
Parameters/
Week
Groups
W X Y Z
Feed intake(gm)
Week 1 145.33 135.36 152.86 137.9
2 213.4 201.85 189.21 197.6
3 308.6 322.55 221.73 316.28
4 368.6 374.4 255.15 378.7
5 413 389.10 301.49 426.8
Weight gain (gm)
Week 1 40 37.5 42 38.1
2 58 55 51 54
3 81 84 57 82.2
4 95 96 63 99.4
5 102 98 73 110
FCR
Week 1 3.63 3.61 3.64 3.62
2 3.68 3.67 3.71 3.66
3 3.81 3.84 3.89 3.82
4 3.88 3.90 4.05 3.81
5 4.05 3.98 4.13 3.88
on 14th, 56th and 28th day of post treatment,
respectively.
From the outcomes of the present study it can be
concluded that Piperazine citrate has better effect on
mature and immature Ascaridia galli worms, although
Ivermectin is also effective against said worm but it is
strongly recommended that Piperazine citrate should be
the drug of choice against Ascaridia galli in poultry.
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