Information About

Histomonas Meleagridis




  Name ''Histomonas meleagridis''
  Domain Eukaryota
  Unranked Phylum Excavata
  Phylum Metamonad a
  Classis Parabasalia
  Ordo Trichomonad ida
  Familia Monocercomonadidae
  Genus '' Histomonas ''
  Species '''''H meleagridis'''''


''Histomonas meleagridis'' is species of Parasitic Protozoa n that infects Chicken s, Turkey s, Peafowl , Quail and Pheasant s, causing Blackhead Disease , infectious Enterohepatitis , or Histomoniasis . ''H. meleagridis'' can infect many birds but it is most deadly in turkeys.


ETIOLOGY

''H. meleagridis'' is most often transmitted in embryonated eggs of '' Heterakis Gallinarum '', a Cecal Nematode , but sometimes it is transmitted directly by contact with infected birds. '' H. gallinarum'' Larva e are found inside three species of Earthworms , and it is through eating the earthworms that most birds get infected. The earthworm eats infected nematode eggs, which can remain dormant in the soil for years. After a few days of ingestion, ''Histomonads'' are released from the ''Heterakis'' nematode larvae in the Ceca , and begin to replicate rapidly in the cecal tissues. They migrate to the Submucosa and Muscularis mucosae and cause severe Necrosis . The parasites then move to the Liver , through the Vascular System or through the Peritoneal Cavity . There they cause more nercotic lesions. Histomonads interact with other gut organisms, such as Bacteria and Coccidia , and depend on these for full Virulence .


EXTERNAL LINKS

  • http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/203000.htm