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Introduction: Parasitic diseases are a major setback to sustainable poultry production. This study determined the occurrence of Eimeria species and haemosporidia among domestic chickens and helmeted guinea fowls in live-bird markets in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: Blood samples and intestinal contents at three distinct segments of the gut were collected from 60 domestic chickens and guinea fowls each. Wet smears of intestinal contents were microscopically examined for oocysts typical of Eimeria species while thin films of blood were Giemsa-stained for the demonstration of protozoa. Results: Results revealed that 19(31.7%) and 21(35%) chickens and guinea fowls w er e positive for Eimeria spp. infection respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in Eimeria spp. infections between the chicken breeds nor between sexes of both birds. Oocysts of Eimeria were mostly recovered from the caeca and small intestines of the guinea fowls and chickens respectively. Domestic chickens were infected with three different haemoprotozoa: Plasmodium spp. (23.3%), Leucocytozoon spp. (6.7%) and Haemoproteus spp. (3.3%); while Plasmodium spp. (15%) and Haemoproteus spp. (3.3%) were the only blood protozoa infecting guinea fowls. The infection rates of haemosporidia between the breeds of chickens and the sexes of both birds did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion: Eimeria parasites and haemosporidia are prevalent among chickens and guinea fowls sold in Lagos State. To prevent severe economic losses in the future, appropriate control measures should be designed and implemented.

Introduction: Extensive genetic diversity of malaria parasites is a major draw back to ongoing control efforts. Population-specific investigation of genetic structure of the parasite is important for effective malaria intervention in endemic populations such as Nigeria where about one-third of the global burden of the disease is borne. This study describes the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in the Niger River basins, North-Central Nigeria. Methodology: Parasite DNA w as extracted fr om finger -prick blood samples collected from eighty P. falciparum positive individuals. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) genotyping was carried out to target K1, MAD20 and R033 allelic families of Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP) -1 gene and FC27 and 3D7 allelic families of MSP-2 gene. Results: Proportion of isolates with K1 family w as 28(70%) with two alleles in Idah and 16(40%) with two alleles in Ibaji. Proportion of isolates with MAD20 family was 8 (20%) and a total of two alleles were observed in Idah and 4(10%) with two alleles in Ibaji. RO33 proportion was 16 (40%) in Idah one allele and 8(20%) in Ibaji where the allelic family was also observed to be monomorphic. K1 was the most predominant MSP1 allele in the two parasite populations and the frequency of FC27 genotype was higher than 3D7 in both populations. Multiplicity of infection (Mol) with MSP-1 loci was higher in Ibaji (1.30) than Idah (1.05) while MoI with MSP-2 loci was lower in Ibaji (2.00) than Idah (2.13). However, there is no significant difference in the mean Mol between Idah and Ibaji (P > 0.05). The expected heterozygosity (HE) value was 0.56 for MSP-1 and 0.84 for MSP-2. Conclusion: Our findings revealed high levels of monoclonal infections with P. falciparum, suggesting low parasite diversity. This may be a pointer to a reduction in malaria transmission in the river basins.