• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.597-602
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• 2018

Histomonas meleagridis is a facultative anaerobic parasite, which can cause a common poultry disease known as histomoniasis. The species and age of the birds impacts on the susceptibility, with turkey being the most susceptible species. Chickens are less susceptible to H. meleagridis than turkeys and usually serve as reservoir hosts. Here, the diagnosis of an outbreak of histomoniasis in backyard Sanhuang chickens is described. The primary diagnosis was made based on clinical symptoms, general changes at necropsy, histopathology, and the isolation and cultivation of parasites. The pathogen was further confirmed by cloning, PCR identification, and animal inoculation tests. A strain of H. meleagridis, named HM-JSYZ-C, with a higher pathogenicity level in chickens was obtained. The study lays a foundation for further investigations into H. meleagridis and histomoniasis in chickens.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.235-238
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• 1992

The diseased Chuckar partridges that were raised at the wild bird-raising farms located in Ockchun, Chungbuk province, were submitted for diagnosis in the laboratory in July. 1990. The diseased partridges aged 3~4 weeks old were shown clinical signs such as anorexia, depression, white-colored or transparent-watery diarrhea and dropping of the head and wings. At necropsy, major gross lesions were found in the livers, ceca and lungs. Histopathologically, numerous histomonads were observed in the necrotic tissues of the livers and ceca. In the cecal specimens, it was found that the ameboid histomonads have flagellum and the size of 10~20 micrometer. The case was confirmed as histomoniasis due to the infection of Histomonas meleagridis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.591-594
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• 2009

Acute and massive death was noted in 10-week-old chickens, broiler breeder, housed in the floor pens. The number of dead chickens exceeded 20 birds each day. Grossly, fibrinous peritonitis with adhesion of mesenteries and intestinal organs was noted. The ceca were enlarged, expanded, and thickened with congestion. Cecal lumen was distended with a caseous core composed of serous, fibrinopurulent, and hemorrhagic exudates with desquamated masses of epithelial cells. The liver had multifocal white irregular necrotic foci surrounded by a raised ring. Light and electron microscope revealed Histomonas meleagridis in the liver with its characteristic structures and not in the intestinal mucoca and submucosa. In this case, the examination of parasite, larvae and egg was conducted more carefully; however, we could not find eggs or worms of Heterakis gallinarum in the dead or live chickens and earthworms in the soils of floor pens. Therefore, we concluded that an outbreak of blackhead disease probably occurred by direct transmission of histomonads from chickens to chickens in this case.