A comprehensive investigation of an outbreak of concomitant parasitic infections in backyard poultry

Parasitic diseases are a potential threat to poultry production and the major endoparasites are the gastrointestinal helminths [1].Endoparasites in poultry birds interfere with the metabolism and uptake of nutrients thereby associated with a decline in production and impaired growth.The common endoparasites in birds include nematodes (roundworms), trematodes, and cestodes.The major nematode parasites in poultry birds are Ascaridia galli, which is present in the small intestines, and Heterakis gallinarum located in the caecum [2].Heterakis gallinarum are whitish caecal worms with three equal-sized lips on the mouth, the presence of lateral alae, and a distinct esophagus consisting of vulvar apparatus.Histomonas meleagridis is a flagellated or amoeboid anaerobic protozoan parasite that is carried by embryonated eggs of the caecal nematode Heterakis gallinarum.