Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis in laying hens reared in cage system: A case report

Authors: Morales-Barrera J. Eduardo, Rocha-Gonzáles Alexis, Fuentes-Cruz. B. Magnolia, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, and Awad A. Shehata

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2025. vol. 5, Iss. 1 pp:1-7
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2025.1.0114

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Abstract:

In the present study, 108-week-old Hyline W-98 laying hens, reared in a cage system in a farm allocated in Tepatitlán de Morelos Jalisco, México, showed cyanosis of the comb and wattles, and greenish-brown diarrhea. Macroscopic lesions revealed diffuse inflammation of the caecum with thinning walls and the presence of numerous small white worms of almost 2 cm, identified as Heterakis gallinarum. The liver was severely congested. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed the presence of necrosis and numerous forms of Histomonas trophozoites. Due to the unavailability of commercial vaccines and therapeutics against H. meleagridis, field surveillance in poultry is proviral to understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of H. meleagridis and identifying solutions for histomoniasis. Additionally, hence, the advantage of production in cages system is the control of parasitic infections; the subject of research is how birds were infested with Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis in this type of production. 

Keywords:

Parasites, Heterakis gallinarum, Histomonas meleagridis, layers

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