Reciprocal Responses of Eight Species of Galliform Birds and Three Parasites: Heterakis gallinarum, Histomonas meleagridis, and Parahistomonas wenrichi

Genotyping ofHistomonas meleagridisisolates based on Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 sequences

“…The possibility of wild birds as a reservoir has not been ruled out. The disease has been described in a number of species, including pheasants (Lund & Chute, 1972a,b;Wernery & Kinne, 2002), quail, and partridges (Lund & Chute, 1972b).…”

Infectivity ofHistomonas meleagridisin ducks

“…(2004). On the other hand, comparing the response of galliform birds with histomonad infection with H. meleagridis inoculated orally by heterakid eggs, Lund & Chute (1972a) observed three sets for species tested at less than 8 weeks old: (i) turkey and Chukar partridge, with a high infection rate ( /50%), moderate to severe weight losses and caecal lesions; (ii) New Hampshire chicken and guinea fowl, with intermediate infection rate (50%), severe weight losses and moderate to severe caecal lesions; and (iii) ring-necked pheasant with a low rate of infection (12.5%), severe weight losses and mild to moderate caecal lesions. With our results, we show that mule and muscovy ducklings cannot enter in the previous groups, with high infection rate (67%), no weight losses and mild to moderate caecal lesions.…”

“…The rapid spread of histomoniasis through flocks under field conditions might be due to direct lateral transmission by oral ingestion (Hu & McDougald, 2003) or by the cloacal drop method (Hu et al ., 2004) of viable parasites in fresh droppings of infected birds. H. meleagridis parasitizes birds of the Galliform order, poultry and game birds, with a big difference between host species in their displaying of clinical signs (Lund & Chute, 1972a;McDougald, 2003). Nothing is really known about ''blackhead'' in other large poultry production systems, particularly in the duck production, which is the third largest fowl production in the world.…”

An Epizootic of Combined Clostridium perfringens, Eimeria Spp. and Capillaria Spp. Enteritis and Histomonas Spp. Hepatitis with Escherichia coli Septicemia in Bobwhite Quails (Colinus virginianus)

“…The total mortalities within two weeks were 80 out of been reported in turkeys, chickens, peafowl, partridges and grouse (Lund and Chute, 1972;Jordan, 1990). Pheasants and quails are considered to be vectors of H. meleagridis and relatively resistant to infection (Lund and Chute, 1972;Zeakes et al, 1981).…”

“…Pheasants and quails are considered to be vectors of H. meleagridis and relatively resistant to infection (Lund and Chute, 1972;Zeakes et al, 1981). However, a natural outbreak of atypical histomoniasis has been reported in quails (Dhillon et al, 1980).…”