TY - JOUR JF - Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research VL - 14 IS - 5 EP - 329 Y1 - 2024/09/30/ SP - 321 N2 - Leucocytozoon species are avian haemoparasites with economic impacts on poultry production. The present study investigates the presence of Leucocytozoon in chickens of Al Muthanna province, Iraq. Eighty one blood samples were collected from chickens in Samawah, Rumaitha, Warkaa, and Kidhre regions to examine the prevalence of Leucocytozoon. An infection rate of 6.1 was found among chicken breeds. The study highlighted that the main symptoms of infection were decreased egg production, anemia, and loss of appetite. Notably, infection was more prevalent in the Rumaitha, Khidr and Samawah regions, while no cases were reported in Warka. Treatment methods included primaquine and pyrimethamine alongside care to manage the condition effectively. It is important to mention that the observed prevalence rate in chickens was lower compared to studies on birds in Iraq, where an overall blood parasite prevalence of 15 was documented. This difference could be attributed to factors like habitat variations, vector presence, or differing susceptibility among bird species. Our suggestion for future work can be the application of new programs for diagnosing and controlling parasites in chickens. © The Author(s) 2024 AV - public N1 - Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, Veterinary Medicine College, Al-Muthanna University, Iraq; Department of Microbiology, Medicine College, Al-Muthanna University, Iraq; Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Medicine College, Al-Qadissiyah University, Iraq; Nursing Department, Al-Mustafa University College, Iraq; Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Medicine College, Al-Muthanna University, Iraq ID - eprints1114 PB - Scienceline Publication, Ltd A1 - ALABADI, I.K.M. A1 - ABBASS, Z.A.A. A1 - ALKHUZAIE, S.S. A1 - KHAYOON, H.A. A1 - ALSAADAWI, M. TI - DETECTION AND PREVALENCE OF Leucocytozoon spp. IN LOCAL CHICKEN BREEDS IN AL MUTHANNA PROVINCE OF IRAQ SN - 2228-7701 UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85208506930&doi=10.51227%2fOJAFR.2024.37&partnerID=40&md5=e58d8c0a14c65ee8fd71eba48144b36f KW - Al-Muthanna Province; Avian health; Flocks; Hemoparasite; Leucocytozoon spp ER -