Two Blackhead Disease Outbreaks in Commercial Turkey Flocks Were Potentially Exacerbated by Poor Poult Quality and Coccidiosis

Chadwick, Elle; Beckstead, Robert B.

doi:10.1637/aviandiseases-d20-00052

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Blackhead disease outbreaks along with concurrent infection of other infectious pathogens such as Eimeria spp. (32), Escherichia coli (33), Salmonella typhimurium (33) and Brachyspira like bacteria (34) have been reported. Based on previous studies, it could be inferred that in-depth field surveillance studies on blackhead disease outbreaks revealed the concurrent occurrence of H. meleagridis along with other infectious pathogens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Durairaj¹,

Clark²,

Veen³

2023

Avian Diseases

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SUMMARYIntestinal 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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Durairaj¹,

Clark²,

Veen³

2023

Avian Diseases

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“…The effect on BWG does not seem to be associated with transmission of histomonosis since, in experiment 4, turkeys in the HT-TS group had no difference in BWG compared to the HT-WM group; however, the HT-TS had a lower number of contacts presenting lesions. Poor poult quality has been linked with the severity of histomonosis ( 31 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feed Composition and Isolate of Histomonas meleagridis Alter Horizontal Transmission of Histomonosis in Turkeys. Proof of Concept

et al. 2022

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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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Role of stressors in histomoniasis transmission and development in turkeys

Fudge,

Wedegaertner,

Cupo

et al. 2024

Journal of Applied Poultry Research

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Two Blackhead Disease Outbreaks in Commercial Turkey Flocks Were Potentially Exacerbated by Poor Poult Quality and Coccidiosis

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

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

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

Feed Composition and Isolate of Histomonas meleagridis Alter Horizontal Transmission of Histomonosis in Turkeys. Proof of Concept

Role of stressors in histomoniasis transmission and development in turkeys

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