Concurrent Infection of Histomonas meleagridis and Pentatrichomonas hominis in a Blackhead Disease Outbreak in Turkeys

• Published in: Avian diseases Vol. 67; no. 1; p. 124
• Main Authors: Durairaj, Vijay, Steven Clark, Emily Barber, Veen, Ryan Vander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.03.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dogs; Poultry Diseases - epidemiology; Poultry Diseases - parasitology; Protozoan Infections, Animal - parasitology; Trichomonadida; Trichomonas; Turkeys - parasitology; histomoniasis; histomonosis; blackhead disease; turkey intestinal health; Histomonas meleagridis; Pentatrichomonas hominis; enterohepatitis
• ISSN: 1938-4351
• DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-D-22-00054

Intestinal health plays a major role in profitable and efficient turkey production. Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) is caused by , an anaerobic protozoan parasite. 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 and . has been reported in enteritis cases of several other species, such as dogs, cats, and cattle. The impact of 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 and infection in turkeys.