, the Cecal Nematode of Gallinaceous Birds: A Critical Review.

Abstract

is a heavily prevalent poultry parasite that thrives in the ceca of various species of gallinaceous birds. It is a small roundworm, measuring between 4 and 15 mm long, in the family Heterakidae.has a direct life cycle not requiring an intermediate host to complete development, and it is generally believed that poultry raised at high density on litter are at greatest risk for accumulating large numbers of the nematode. This species typically only causes mild pathology that does not significantly affect bird performance. However,is recognized as an economically important parasite by the poultry industry because its ovum serves as the vector for the protozoal parasite, the cause of histomonosis in poultry. Diagnosis of the nematode typically relies on fecal egg counts, which are prone to false negative diagnoses. Molecular tools are available for studying the nematode and diagnosing infected flocks. Treating and preventinginfection is made difficult due to the low efficacy of anthelmintics for eradicatingfrom infected birds and of disinfectants for destroyingova on contaminated farms.