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Durairaj V, Nezworski J, Drozd M, Clark S, Veen RV. Concurrent Histomonas meleagridis and Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus Infection in a Turkey Flock with Recurrent History of Blackhead Disease. Avian Dis 2024; 68:56-64. [PMID: 38687109 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-23-00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Intestinal health is one of the key factors required for the growth and production of turkeys. Histomoniasis (blackhead disease), caused by a protozoan parasite, Histomonas meleagridis, is a reemerging threat to the turkey industry. Increased incidences of histomoniasis have been reported in recent years due to withdrawal of antihistomonas treatments. H. meleagridis affects ceca and causes cecal inflammation and necrosis. H. meleagridis migrates from ceca to the liver and causes liver necrosis, resulting in high mortalities. Ironically, field outbreaks of histomoniasis are not always associated with high mortalities, while low mortalities have also been documented. There are several exacerbating factors associated with high mortality rates in histomoniasis outbreaks, with concurrent infection being one of them. Recurrent histomoniasis outbreaks in a newly constructed barn were documented, and concurrent infection of H. meleagridis and hemorrhagic enteritis virus was confirmed. Currently, neither commercial vaccines nor prophylactic or therapeutic solutions are available to combat histomoniasis. However, there are treatments, vaccines, and solutions to minimize or prevent concurrent infections in turkeys. In addition to implementing biosecurity measures, measures to prevent concurrent infections are critical steps that the turkey industry can follow to reduce mortality rates and minimize the production and economic losses associated with histomoniasis outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mary Drozd
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503
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Durairaj V, Steven Clark EB, Veen RV. Concurrent Infection of Histomonas meleagridis and Pentatrichomonas hominis in a Blackhead Disease Outbreak in Turkeys. Avian Dis 2023; 67:124-129. [PMID: 37140122 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-22-00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal health plays a major role in profitable and efficient turkey production. Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) is caused by Histomonas meleagridis, an anaerobic protozoan parasite. Histomonas meleagridis disrupts intestinal integrity and may cause systemic infection. Some field outbreaks of blackhead disease are associated with low morbidity and mortality, while in some instances, it may cause severe morbidity and mortality. In the current study, a presumptive diagnosis of blackhead disease was made based on the characteristic gross lesions in the liver and ceca. The cecal culture, PCR, and sequencing confirmed the presence of H. meleagridis and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Pentatrichomonas hominis has been reported in enteritis cases of several other species, such as dogs, cats, and cattle. The impact of P. hominis on intestinal health of turkeys has not previously been studied, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of concurrent H. meleagridis and P. hominis infection in turkeys.
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Landim de Barros T, Vuong CN, Tellez-Isaias G, Hargis BM. Uncontroversial facts and new perspectives on poultry histomonosis: a review. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2022.2119915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine N. Vuong
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | | | - Billy M. Hargis
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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Barros TL, Vuong CN, Latorre JD, Cuesta RS, McGill E, Rochell SJ, Tellez-Isaias G, Hargis BM. Feed Composition and Isolate of Histomonas meleagridis Alter Horizontal Transmission of Histomonosis in Turkeys. Proof of Concept. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:937102. [PMID: 35847644 PMCID: PMC9277661 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.937102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of histomonosis in turkeys are typically initiated by the ingestion of contaminated embryonated eggs of Heterakis gallinarum, potentially present in earthworms and mechanical vectors. Once an outbreak is started, infected turkeys can transmit the disease by horizontal transmission. Factors influencing horizontal transmission of histomonosis are poorly understood. Replication of horizontal transmission in experimental conditions has not been consistent, presenting an obstacle in searching for alternatives to prevent or treat the disease. Two pilot experiments and three validation experiments were conducted in the present study. In pilot experiment 1, one isolate of Histomonas meleagridis (named Buford) was used. Turkeys were fed a low-nutrient density diet corn-soy based (LOW-CS) and raised in floor pens. In pilot experiment 2, another isolate of H. meleagridis was used (named PHL). Turkeys were fed a low-nutrient density diet with the addition of wheat middlings (LOW-WM) and raised in floor pens. In experiment 3, conducted on floor pens, both isolates and diets were used in different groups. In experiment 4, turkeys were raised on battery cages and only the PHL isolate was used. Both diets (LOW-WM and LOW-CS) were used, in addition to a diet surpassing the nutritional needs of young poults (turkey starter, TS). In experiment 5, conducted in battery cages, only the PHL isolate was used, and the LOW-WM and TS diets were in different groups. The horizontal transmission was achieved only with the PHL isolate from all experiments. The transmission rate varied among experimental diets, with the TS diet having the lowest transmission rate in experiments 4 and 5. Variation was observed between experiments and within experimental groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaina L. Barros
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
- *Correspondence: Thaina L. Barros
| | - Christine N. Vuong
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Juan D. Latorre
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Roberto S. Cuesta
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | | | - Samuel J. Rochell
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Billy M. Hargis
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Barros TL, Beer LC, Barta JR, Hargis BM, Vuong CN. Evaluation of Eimeria adenoeides Preinfection on the Severity of Histomoniasis in Turkeys. Avian Dis 2022; 66:69-73. [DOI: 10.1637/21-00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. L. Barros
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - L. C. Beer
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - J. R. Barta
- Ontario Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - B. M. Hargis
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - C. N. Vuong
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701
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