Histomonosis in Poultry: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomonosis, is a poultry parasite primarily detrimental to turkeys. Characteristic lesions occur in the liver and ceca, with mortalities in turkey flocks often reaching 80–100%. Chickens and other gallinaceous birds can be susceptible but the disease was primarily considered sub-clinical until recent years. Treating and preventing H. meleagridis infection have become more difficult since 2015, when nitarsone was voluntarily removed from the market, leaving the poultry industry with no approved prophylactics, therapeutics, or vaccines to combat histomonosis. Phytogenic compounds evaluated for chemoprophylaxis of histomonosis have varied results with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Some recent research successes are encouraging for the pursuit of antihistomonal compounds derived from plants. Turkeys and chickens exhibit a level of resistance to re-infection when recovered from H. meleagridis infection, but no commercial vaccines are yet available, despite experimental successes. Safety and stability of live-attenuated isolates have been demonstrated; furthermore, highly efficacious protection has been conferred in experimental settings with administration of these isolates without harming performance. Taken together, these research advancements are encouraging for vaccine development, but further investigation is necessary to evaluate proper administration age, dose, and route. A summary of the published research is provided in this review.

The L-Rhamnose Biosynthetic Pathway in Trichomonas vaginalis: Identification and Characterization of UDP-D-Glucose 4,6-dehydratase

“…However, this enzyme does not display the associated 3,5-epimerase activity, which is found in other eukaryotes and Mimivirus proteins [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. We cannot definitively conclude that this protein has a key role in the last reduction step since it is not found in the closely related T. foetus , which is expected to have a functional L-Rha pathway [ 27 ], and in H. meleagridis , a related trichomonad parasite that causes histomonosis in poultry [ 36 ]. The high similarity of TvRED (TVAG_357160) to 4-keto reductases from Bacteroidetes, which are often present as commensal organisms in the gut and vaginal microbiota [ 11 , 37 ], suggests the possibility of its acquisition after the radiation of the trichomonad lineage through a recent LGT, which is known to be an important event shaping the Tv genome [ 38 ].…”

Một Số Đặc Điểm Bệnh Lý, Lâm Sàng Bệnh Đầu Đen Ở Gà Nuôi Tại Thái Nguyên

“…Bệnh đầu đen gây ra bởi sinh vật đơn bào kỵ khí có tên khoa học là Histomonas meleagridis [3]. Đơn bào này ký sinh chủ yếu trong lòng manh tràng, nhu mô gan và lách [4], [5], ngoài gan, manh tràng và lách còn tìm thấy đơn bào Histomonas meleagridis ký sinh trong não, tuyến tụy, tim, phổi, thận gây viêm loét, hoại tử và rối loạn chức năng các cơ quan này [6].…”

“…B. Miguel và cộng sự (2017) [8], gia cầm mắc bệnh đầu đen tỷ lệ chết rất cao: tỷ lệ chết thường lên đến 80 -100% ở gà tây và 30% ở gà. Nếu bệnh đầu đen bị ghép với cầu trùng thì tỷ lệ chết lên tới 100% ở gà tây và 67,2% ở gà [6].…”

Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics analyses of a chicken-original virulent and its attenuated Histomonas meleagridis strain in China

“…Histomonosis (histomoniasis) is a parasitic disease caused by Histomonas meleagridis, also known as 'blackhead' or enterohepatitis (1). It can cause serious harm to the turkey breeding industry (2). At present, this disease is more common in free-range chickens, special birds, and zoo birds (2,3).…”

“…It can cause serious harm to the turkey breeding industry (2). At present, this disease is more common in free-range chickens, special birds, and zoo birds (2,3). Histomonas meleagridis mainly causes cecitis, hepatitis, and peritonitis in clinical practice (4).…”