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Pacholec C, Carvallo F, LeCuyer TE, Todd SM, Ramirez-Barrios R, Weisman J, Zimmerman K. What is your diagnosis? Cecal smear in a peafowl. Vet Clin Pathol 2024; 53 Suppl 2:155-157. [PMID: 37488070 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Pacholec
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Francisco Carvallo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Tessa E LeCuyer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Stephanie Michelle Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Roger Ramirez-Barrios
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Jamie Weisman
- Warrenton Regional Animal Health laboratory, Warrenton, Virginia, USA
| | - Kurt Zimmerman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Durairaj V, Nezworski J, Drozd M, Clark S, Veen RV. Concurrent Histomonas meleagridis and Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus Infection in a Turkey Flock with Recurrent History of Blackhead Disease. Avian Dis 2024; 68:56-64. [PMID: 38687109 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-23-00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Intestinal health is one of the key factors required for the growth and production of turkeys. Histomoniasis (blackhead disease), caused by a protozoan parasite, Histomonas meleagridis, is a reemerging threat to the turkey industry. Increased incidences of histomoniasis have been reported in recent years due to withdrawal of antihistomonas treatments. H. meleagridis affects ceca and causes cecal inflammation and necrosis. H. meleagridis migrates from ceca to the liver and causes liver necrosis, resulting in high mortalities. Ironically, field outbreaks of histomoniasis are not always associated with high mortalities, while low mortalities have also been documented. There are several exacerbating factors associated with high mortality rates in histomoniasis outbreaks, with concurrent infection being one of them. Recurrent histomoniasis outbreaks in a newly constructed barn were documented, and concurrent infection of H. meleagridis and hemorrhagic enteritis virus was confirmed. Currently, neither commercial vaccines nor prophylactic or therapeutic solutions are available to combat histomoniasis. However, there are treatments, vaccines, and solutions to minimize or prevent concurrent infections in turkeys. In addition to implementing biosecurity measures, measures to prevent concurrent infections are critical steps that the turkey industry can follow to reduce mortality rates and minimize the production and economic losses associated with histomoniasis outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mary Drozd
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503
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3
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Durairaj V, Barber E, Veen RV. Early Detection of Histomoniasis in Blood Samples by PCR and Sequencing. Avian Dis 2024; 67:340-344. [PMID: 38300655 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-23-00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Histomoniasis is a deadly disease of turkeys causing devastating economic losses to the poultry industry. In field outbreaks, a presumptive diagnosis is made based on gross pathology lesions and confirmed by histopathology. An early detection tool with quick turnaround time is needed to prevent the spread of histomoniasis. With this objective, two studies were conducted in turkeys. In Study 1, 40 poults were housed in two pens (20 poults/pen) and challenged at 14 days of age with Histomonas meleagridis by intracloacal route. Blood samples were collected 4 days postchallenge. Fifty-five percent (22/40) of the blood samples tested positive for H. meleagridis based on PCR using primers targeted against the 18S rRNA gene and confirmed by sequencing. In Study 2, 40 poults were housed in two groups and raised in floor pens. Groups 1 and 2 served as negative and challenge controls, respectively. At 14 days of age, the birds in Group 2 were challenged with H. meleagridis by intracloacal route. Blood samples were collected 2 days postchallenge. Five percent (1/20) of the blood samples tested positive for H. meleagridis, based on PCR and confirmed by sequencing. The results from both studies indicate that H. meleagridis DNA can be detected in the blood samples by PCR and confirmed by sequencing as early as 4 days postchallenge. This early detection method could be applied in field outbreaks to detect and confirm histomoniasis as early as possible.
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Lüning J, Campe A, Rautenschlein S. Investigations of Histomonosis-Favouring Conditions: A Hypotheses-Generating Case-Series-Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13091472. [PMID: 37174508 PMCID: PMC10177171 DOI: 10.3390/ani13091472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the ban of effective feed additives and therapeutics, histomonosis has become an important disease and, subsequently, a welfare issue for turkey production. We conducted an interview-based case series study to generate hypotheses about possible disease-favouring conditions in 31 H. meleagridis-infected flocks. The determined parameters were related to the general farm (flock management, biosecurity measures, etc.) as well as the histomonosis-specific disease management. Some inadequate biosecurity measures were observed. An inappropriate usage of the hygiene lock and cleaning as well as the disinfection frequency of equipment, clothes, and the hygiene lock could possibly be histomonosis-favouring conditions. These factors could increase the risk for the introduction of H. meleagridis and the risk of a pathogen spread on an affected farm. Insects, wild birds, litter materials, and contaminated dung could be potential vectors of H. meleagridis. Predisposing gastrointestinal diseases were observed in 71% of the affected flocks. Additionally, stress events related to higher temperature, movement of birds, and vaccination were documented in association with clinical histomonosis. The results emphasise the need for both good disease control and health management to ensure sustainable animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lüning
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Rautenschlein
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Durairaj V, Steven Clark EB, Veen RV. Concurrent Infection of Histomonas meleagridis and Pentatrichomonas hominis in a Blackhead Disease Outbreak in Turkeys. Avian Dis 2023; 67:124-129. [PMID: 37140122 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-22-00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal 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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Hatfaludi T, Rezaee MS, Liebhart D, Bilic I, Hess M. Experimental reproduction of histomonosis caused by Histomonas meleagridis genotype 2 in turkeys can be prevented by oral vaccination of day-old birds with a monoxenic genotype 1 vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2022; 40:4986-4997. [PMID: 35835629 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Histomonosis (syn. blackhead disease) is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis and can result in high mortality in turkey flocks, a situation driven by the limitation of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Multi-locus sequence typing confirmed the existence of two genotypes, with the vast majority of reported histomonosis outbreaks being caused by genotype 1 in contrast to only a few detections of genotype 2. For the first time, genotype 2 of H. meleagridis was successfully isolated from an outbreak of histomonosis in a flock of 5-week-old turkeys and a clonal culture was established. Using this culture, an experimental infection was performed in naïve turkeys. The animal trial reflected the observations from the field outbreak and coincided with a previously reported case of histomonosis caused by genotype 2, albeit no mortality was observed in the infected birds whereas 17.1% mortality was noticed in the field outbreak from appearance of disease until slaughter. Post mortem investigations demonstrated that lesions were restricted to the caeca in the field outbreak and the experimental trial. In parallel with the experimental reproduction of pathological changes, an oral vaccination of day-old turkeys with a monoxenic genotype 1 vaccine was carried out to determine efficacy against a genotype 2 challenge. Successful vaccine uptake was characterized by the presence of the vaccine in the caeca determined by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Excretion of the vaccine strain was confirmed prior challenge, with the majority of birds developing antibodies. The new monoxenic vaccine was able to minimize lesions in the caeca demonstrating heterologous protection. No parasites were detected in the liver by IHC in any of the vaccinated birds, compared to non-vaccinated animals. However, in 6 out of 17 birds of the vaccinated group a positive signal was obtained by real time PCR from liver samples with 2 positives being typeable by conventional PCR as genotype 2. Overall, H. meleagridis genotype 2 infection was successfully reproduced. Experimental vaccination with a genetically distantly related genotype 1 was able to reduce lesions, supporting protection by a recently developed vaccine candidate as an efficacious prophylactic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), Austria
| | | | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), Austria.
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7
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Beer LC, Petrone-Garcia VM, Graham BD, Hargis BM, Tellez-Isaias G, Vuong CN. Histomonosis in Poultry: A Comprehensive Review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:880738. [PMID: 35601402 PMCID: PMC9120919 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.880738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomonosis, is a poultry parasite primarily detrimental to turkeys. Characteristic lesions occur in the liver and ceca, with mortalities in turkey flocks often reaching 80-100%. Chickens and other gallinaceous birds can be susceptible but the disease was primarily considered sub-clinical until recent years. Treating and preventing H. meleagridis infection have become more difficult since 2015, when nitarsone was voluntarily removed from the market, leaving the poultry industry with no approved prophylactics, therapeutics, or vaccines to combat histomonosis. Phytogenic compounds evaluated for chemoprophylaxis of histomonosis have varied results with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Some recent research successes are encouraging for the pursuit of antihistomonal compounds derived from plants. Turkeys and chickens exhibit a level of resistance to re-infection when recovered from H. meleagridis infection, but no commercial vaccines are yet available, despite experimental successes. Safety and stability of live-attenuated isolates have been demonstrated; furthermore, highly efficacious protection has been conferred in experimental settings with administration of these isolates without harming performance. Taken together, these research advancements are encouraging for vaccine development, but further investigation is necessary to evaluate proper administration age, dose, and route. A summary of the published research is provided in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesleigh C. Beer
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Victor M. Petrone-Garcia
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico
| | - B. Danielle Graham
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Billy M. Hargis
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Christine N. Vuong
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Emami NK, Fuller L, Dalloul RA. Research note: Lateral transmission of Histomonas meleagridis in turkey poults raised on floor pens. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101951. [PMID: 35679664 PMCID: PMC9189196 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomoniasis is caused by the protozoa Histomonas meleagridis (HM) that are laterally transmitted among birds leading to high mortality in commercial flocks. This study tested an HM infection model assessing the lateral transmission of HM in turkey poults raised on floor pens. Day (d)-old female turkey poults (n = 320) were individually wing-tagged and allocated to one of four treatment groups (4 floor pens/group and 20 poults/pen) based on the percentage of poults inoculated with HM: 1) 10% (HM10); 2) 20% (HM20); 3) 30% (HM30); and 4) 40% (HM40). On d 9, seeder poults intracloacally received a 1 mL inoculum/bird containing ∼80,000 histomonads. Poults were individually weighed on d 0, 9, and 25 and feed intake recorded on per pen basis. On d 25, all birds were euthanized by cervical dislocation and ceca and liver were evaluated for HM lesions. Data were analyzed using JMP (Pro16) and significance (P ≤ 0.05) between treatments were determined by LSD test. Mortality was 7.63%, 12.5%, 21.58%, and 20.59%, while transmission rates from inoculated to non-inoculated birds were 62.5%, 57.5%, 92.43%, and 78.75% in HM10, HM20, HM30, and HM40 groups, respectively. Average daily feed intake was proportionally reduced with the increasing number of inoculated poults from HM10 to HM40. Average daily gain was significantly lower in HM30 and HM40 poults compared to those in HM10 and HM20 during the postchallenge period (d 10–25). Therefore, we herein report the successful lateral transmission of HM among turkey poults raised on floor pens. This research model closely resembles commercial field conditions and affords a much-needed platform for conducting relevant basic and applied research on histomoniasis in poultry.
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Sousa J, Edwards E, Piccione J. What is your diagnosis: Liver nodules in a Turkey Poult. Vet Clin Pathol 2022; 52 Suppl 2:146-148. [PMID: 35488184 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Sousa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Erin Edwards
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), College Station, TX, USA
| | - Julie Piccione
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), College Station, TX, USA
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Lin GW. Paromomycin Sulfate Treatment in Histomoniasis Outbreaks in Three Commercial Turkey Flocks in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Avian Dis 2021; 65:592-598. [DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-21-00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gigi Wing Lin
- Canadian Poultry Consultants Ltd., 30325 Canary Court, Abbotsford Canada V4X 2N4
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11
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Palmieri N, de Jesus Ramires M, Hess M, Bilic I. Complete genomes of the eukaryotic poultry parasite Histomonas meleagridis: linking sequence analysis with virulence / attenuation. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:753. [PMID: 34674644 PMCID: PMC8529796 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan parasite and the causative agent of histomonosis, an important poultry disease whose significance is underlined by the absence of any treatment and prophylaxis. The recent successful in vitro attenuation of the parasite urges questions about the underlying mechanisms. Results Whole genome sequence data from a virulent and an attenuated strain originating from the same parental lineage of H. meleagridis were recruited using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and Illumina platforms, which were combined to generate megabase-sized contigs with high base-level accuracy. Inspecting the genomes for differences identified two substantial deletions within a coding sequence of the attenuated strain. Additionally, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and indel targeting coding sequences caused the formation of premature stop codons, which resulted in the truncation of two genes in the attenuated strain. Furthermore, the genome of H. meleagridis was used for characterizing protein classes of clinical relevance for parasitic protists. The comparative analysis with the genomes of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus and Entamoeba histolytica identified ~ 2700 lineage-specific gene losses and 9 gene family expansions in the H. meleagridis lineage. Conclusions Taken as a whole, the obtained data provide the first hints to understand the molecular basis of attenuation in H. meleagridis and constitute a genomics platform for future research on this important poultry pathogen. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08059-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Palmieri
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcelo de Jesus Ramires
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Beckmann JF, Dormitorio T, Oladipupo SO, Bethonico Terra MT, Lawrence K, Macklin KS, Hauck R. Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis DNA persists in chicken houses years after depopulation. Vet Parasitol 2021; 298:109536. [PMID: 34365105 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The poultry pathogen Histomonas meleagridis is transmitted by chicken cecal worms (Heterakis gallinarum) and is potentially transmitted by second order insect vectors and paratenic hosts. Darkling beetles (Alphitobius diaperinus) are poultry farm pests that infest barns. An outstanding question is the degree to which darkling beetles transmit both Heterakis and Histomonas. In this study we monitored populations of darkling beetles and assessed their positivity for both Heterakis and Histomonas by PCR. Uniquely, this study was conducted during the scheduled deconstruction of Auburn University's Poultry Research Farm. Therefore, we were able to monitor beetle and litter infection status months and years after bird depopulation. The duration of our monitoring continued through three seasons. We show that environmental DNA from both Heterakis and Histomonas persist in the environment long after prior infections, even in the absence of living Heterakis and its hosts. Finally, in an intensive search for live Heterakis, we discovered reniform nematodes (plant parasitic nematodes) residing in the soil floor of poultry farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Beckmann
- Auburn University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Teresa Dormitorio
- Auburn University, Department of Poultry Science, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Seun O Oladipupo
- Auburn University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | | | - Kathy Lawrence
- Auburn University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Kenneth S Macklin
- Auburn University, Department of Poultry Science, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Ruediger Hauck
- Auburn University, Department of Poultry Science, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States; Auburn University, Departmen of Pathobiology, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States.
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13
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Gray P, Jenner R, Norris J, Page S, Browning G. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:181-235. [PMID: 33782952 PMCID: PMC8251962 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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14
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Lagler J, Schmidt S, Mitra T, Stadler M, Grafl B, Hatfaludi T, Hess M, Gerner W, Liebhart D. Comparative investigation of IFN-γ-producing T cells in chickens and turkeys following vaccination and infection with the extracellular parasite Histomonas meleagridis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103949. [PMID: 33253751 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The re-emerging disease histomonosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis that affects chickens and turkeys. Previously, protection by vaccination with in vitro attenuated H. meleagridis has been demonstrated and an involvement of T cells, potentially by IFN-γ production, was hypothesized. However, comparative studies between chickens and turkeys on H. meleagridis-specific T cells were not conducted yet. This work investigated IFN-γ production within CD4+, CD8α+ and TCRγδ+ (chicken) or CD3ε+CD4-CD8α- (turkey) T cells of spleen and liver from vaccinated and/or infected birds using clonal cultures of a monoxenic H. meleagridis strain. In infected chickens, re-stimulated splenocytes showed a significant increase of IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells. Contrariwise, significant increments of IFN-γ-producing cells within all major T-cell subsets of the spleen and liver were found for vaccinated/infected turkeys. This indicates that the vaccine in turkeys causes more intense systemic immune responses whereas in chickens protection might be mainly driven by local immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lagler
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Selma Schmidt
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria Stadler
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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15
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Phytoncides in The Prevention and Therapy of Blackhead Disease and Their Effect on The Turkey Immune System. J Vet Res 2021; 65:79-85. [PMID: 33817399 PMCID: PMC8009584 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2021-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Turkey histomonosis poses a serious threat to poultry production due to the ban on the use of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a phytoncidal feed supplement on the course of histomonosis. The preparation was also analysed for immunomodulatory properties. Material and Methods Clinical observations and production monitoring were conducted in a flock of turkeys with histomonosis from their 11th to 56th weeks of life which were treated with the adiCoxSOLPF soluble supplement in a dose of 2.5 mL/L water. Later the preparation was used in a preventive dose (1 mL/L). The influence on the immune system was evaluated in broiler turkeys having been given adiCoxSOLPF for 3 days in doses of 1 or 3 mL/L. The T and B lymphocyte percentages in turkey blood and spleen tissue were analysed with flow cytometry. ELISA was implemented to evaluate antibody titres after Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccination, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the supplement's safety. Results AdiCoxSOLPF was found effective in therapy and prevention of histomonosis. Additionally, adiCoxSOLPF stimulated both humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms, without impairing the functions of internal organs. The treated turkeys also yielded better production results (eggs/hen, fertility, and hatchability). Conclusion AdiCoxSOLPF possesses immunomodulatory properties and it can be used successfully in the prevention and therapy of histomonosis in turkeys.
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Abdelhamid MK, Quijada NM, Dzieciol M, Hatfaludi T, Bilic I, Selberherr E, Liebhart D, Hess C, Hess M, Paudel S. Co-infection of Chicken Layers With Histomonas meleagridis and Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Is Associated With Dysbiosis, Cecal Colonization and Translocation of the Bacteria From the Gut Lumen. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:586437. [PMID: 33193238 PMCID: PMC7661551 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.586437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomonosis in chickens often appears together with colibacillosis in the field. Thus, we have experimentally investigated consequences of the co-infection of birds with Histomonas meleagridis and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) on the pathology, host microbiota and bacterial translocation from the gut. Commercial chicken layers were infected via oral and cloacal routes with lux-tagged APEC with or without H. meleagridis whereas negative controls were left uninfected. Except one bird, which died due to colibacillosis, no clinical signs were recorded in birds infected with bioluminescence lux gene tagged E. coli. In co-infected birds, depression and ruffled feathers were observed in 4 birds and average body weight gain significantly decreased. Typhlitis caused by H. meleagridis was present only in co-infected birds, which also had pronounced microscopic lesions in systemic organs such as liver, heart and spleen. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed that in co-infected birds, corresponding to the severity of cecal lesions, microbial species richness and diversity in caeca greatly decreased and the abundance of the Escherichia group, Helicobacter and Bacteroides was relatively higher with a reduction of commensals. Most of the shared Amplicon Sequencing Variants between cecum and blood in co-infected birds belonged to Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and members of Enterobacteriaceae while those assigned as Lactobacillus and members of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae were found mainly in negative controls. In infected birds, E. coli in the cecal lumen penetrated into deeper layers, a phenomenon noticed with higher incidence in the dead and co-infected birds. Furthermore, numbers of lux-tagged E. coli in caeca were significantly higher at every sampling date in co-infected birds. Altogether, infection of layers with H. meleagridis and E. coli resulted in more severe pathological changes, dramatic shift in the cecal mucosa-associated microbiota, higher tissue colonization of pathogenic bacteria such as avian pathogenic E. coli in the gut and increased penetration of E. coli from the cecal lumen toward peritoneum. This study provides novel insights into the parasite-bacteria interaction in vivo highlighting the role of H. meleagridis to support E. coli in the pathogenesis of colibacillosis in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kamal Abdelhamid
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Narciso M Quijada
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Dzieciol
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Evelyne Selberherr
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Surya Paudel
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Research Note: Evaluation of dietary administration of sodium chlorate and sodium nitrate for Histomonas meleagridis prophylaxis in turkeys. Poult Sci 2020; 99:1983-1987. [PMID: 32241480 PMCID: PMC7587757 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2019.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Histomoniasis is currently a re-emerging disease of major significance for many commercial turkey and broiler breeder production companies because of the unavailability of drugs or vaccines. The protozoa Histomonas meleagridis (HM) requires the presence of enteric microflora to promote the disease. The objectives of this research note were to evaluate the effect of dietary administration of sodium chlorate (SC) and sodium nitrate (SN) in vitro and in vivo for HM prophylaxis in poults. A total of 128 day-of-hatch female poults obtained from a commercial hatchery were wing-tagged and randomly assigned into 1 of 4 experimental groups: negative control (NC), positive control, dietary inclusion of SC (3,200 ppm) and SN (500 ppm). Poults from groups SC and SN started on their respective diets on day 12. All groups, except the NC, were challenged with 2 × 105 HM on day 19. Controls were fed a basal diet, identical to the treatment diets but not supplemented with SC or SN. Body weight gain (BWG) was determined weekly, starting on day 1 until day 28, and postchallenge morbidity and mortality were recorded. On day 28 of age, all surviving poults were lesion scored for hepatic and cecal lesions. Ceca and distal ileum were collected on day 28 for bacterial recovery on selective media for total aerobic, lactic acid bacteria, or gram-negative bacteria. The addition of SC and SN in the in vitro growth of HM greatly reduced the growth of the protozoa after 20 h of incubation when compared with the control nontreated group (P < 0.05). However, dietary supplementation of SC and SN had no effect against HM in vivo, as was demonstrated by BWG, the severity of lesions in the liver and ceca or bacterial recovery of treated poults when compared with the positive control group.
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Liebhart D, Hess M. Spotlight on Histomonosis (blackhead disease): a re-emerging disease in turkeys and chickens. Avian Pathol 2019; 49:1-4. [DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2019.1654087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines, Vienna, Austria
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Cadmus KJ, Mete A, Harris M, Anderson D, Davison S, Sato Y, Helm J, Boger L, Odani J, Ficken MD, Pabilonia KL. Causes of mortality in backyard poultry in eight states in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:318-326. [PMID: 31084344 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719848718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of common diseases of backyard poultry flocks is important to providing poultry health information to flock owners, veterinarians, and animal health officials. We collected autopsy reports over a 3-y period (2015-2017) from diagnostic laboratories in 8 states in the United States; 2,509 reports were collected, involving autopsies of 2,687 birds. The primary cause of mortality was categorized as infectious, noninfectious, neoplasia or lymphoproliferative disease, or undetermined. Neoplasia or lymphoproliferative disease was the most common primary diagnosis and involved 42% of the total birds autopsied; 63% of these cases were diagnosed as Marek's disease or leukosis/sarcoma. Bacterial, parasitic, and viral organisms were commonly detected, involving 42%, 28%, and 7% of the birds autopsied, respectively, with 2 or more organisms detected in 69% of birds. Our findings demonstrate the importance of educating flock owners about disease prevention and biosecurity practices. The detection of zoonotic bacteria including paratyphoid salmonellae, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Mycobacterium avium, and the detection of lead and other heavy metals, indicate public health risks to flock owners and consumers of backyard flock egg and meat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyran J Cadmus
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Aslı Mete
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Macallister Harris
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Doug Anderson
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Sherrill Davison
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Yuko Sato
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Julie Helm
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Lore Boger
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Jenee Odani
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Martin D Ficken
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
| | - Kristy L Pabilonia
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Cadmus, Harris, Pabilonia).,California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA (Mete).,Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Gainesville, GA (Anderson).,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA (Davison).,College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (Sato).,Livestock Poultry Health, Clemson University, Columbia, SC (Helm).,Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA (Boger).,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (Odani).,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Gonzalez, TX (Ficken)
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Sulejmanović T, Grafl B, Bilić I, Jaskulska B, Hess M. PCR and serology confirm the infection of turkey hens and their resilience to histomonosis in mixed flocks following high mortalities in toms. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:228. [PMID: 31088526 PMCID: PMC6518625 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3482-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histomonosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis, is a severe disease especially in turkeys where it can cause high mortalities. Recently, outbreaks were described in which turkey hens showed no clinical signs despite high mortalities in toms, from which they were separated only by a wire fence. The present study investigated three similar outbreaks of histomonosis whereby in two of them only a few hens were being affected and none in the third. Hens from all flocks were kept until end of production and slaughtered as scheduled. However, in all three cases, the disease progressed in toms reaching nearly 100% within two weeks. Methods Following diagnosis of the disease, tissue samples were obtained from toms and hens at necropsy. Environmental dust, cloacal swabs and blood were taken on three successive farm visits within compartments of hens and toms and tested by real-time PCR or ELISA. The DNA from a total of 18 samples positive for H. meleagridis was further subjected to conventional PCR utilizing the 18S rRNA primers and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Results All tissue samples and some cloacal swabs were tested positive. Dust samples confirmed the presence of H. meleagridis DNA that spread within entire houses up to 6 weeks after the first clinical signs of histomonosis. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA locus demonstrated the presence of the same strain in birds of both sexes within each of the turkey houses. Investigation of serum samples two weeks post-initial diagnosis and prior to euthanasia resulted in antibody detection in 73% of toms and 70% of hens. Until the end of the investigation the number of positive hens per farm increased up to 100% with mean OD-values approaching those noticed in toms prior to euthanasia. Conclusions For the first time it could be demonstrated that turkey hens kept in the same house as toms became infected during fatal outbreaks in toms. This highlights the value of different diagnostics methods in order to trace the parasite in connection with the host response. The strange phenomenon that only single hens succumb to the diseases despite being infected requires further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Sulejmanović
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilić
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Jaskulska
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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Mitra T, Kidane FA, Hess M, Liebhart D. Unravelling the Immunity of Poultry Against the Extracellular Protozoan Parasite Histomonas meleagridis Is a Cornerstone for Vaccine Development: A Review. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2518. [PMID: 30450097 PMCID: PMC6224373 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of histomonosis in gallinaceous birds, predominantly in turkeys and chickens. Depending on the host species the outcome of the disease can be very severe with high mortality as observed in turkeys, whereas in chickens the mortality rates are generally lower. The disease is known for more than 100 years when in vitro and in vivo investigations started to understand histomonosis and the causative pathogen. For decades histomonosis could be well-controlled by effective drugs for prevention and therapy until the withdrawal of such chemicals for reasons of consumer protection in Europe, the USA and additional countries worldwide. Consequently, research efforts also focused to find new strategies against the disease, resulting in the development of an efficacious live-attenuated vaccine. In addition to efficacy and safety several studies were performed to obtain a deeper understanding of the immune response of the host against H. meleagridis. It could be demonstrated that antibodies accumulate in different parts of the intestine of chickens following infection with H. meleagridis which was much pronounced in the ceca. Furthermore, expression profiles of various cytokines revealed that chickens mounted an effective cecal innate immune response during histomonosis compared to turkeys. Studying the cellular immune response following infection and/or vaccination of host birds showed a limitation of pronounced changes of B cells and T-cell subsets in vaccinated birds in comparison to non-protected birds. Additionally, numbers of lymphocytes including cytotoxic T cells increased in the ceca of diseased turkeys compared to infected chickens suggesting an immunopathological impact on disease pathogenesis. The identification of type 1 and type 2 T-helper (Th) cells in infected and lymphoid organs by in situ hybridization did not show a clear separation of Th cells during infection but revealed a coherence of an increase of interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA positive cells in ceca and protection. The present review not only summarizes the research performed on the immune response of host birds in the course of histomonosis but also highlights the specific features of H. meleagridis as a model organism to study immunological principles of an extracellular organism in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fana Alem Kidane
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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