Phylum : Sarcomastigophora
Sub-phylum: Mastigophora
Class: Zoomastigophora
Order: Diplomanadida
Family: Hexamitidae
Hexamitidae
- Organisms of this family are bilaterally symmetrical
- Consist of two nuclei and six or eight flagella
Genus: Hexamita
Hexamita meleagridis ( Syn: Spironucleaus meleagridis)
Location and host
- This parasite occurs in duodenum and small intestine of young turkey, pea fowl, patridge, chick, domestic duck and quail
- Parasite may also occur in caecum and bursa Fabricius of birds acting as carriers
Morphology
- Organisms are pyriform, binucleate and measure 6-12 µm x 2-5 µm.
- Two nuclei contain round endosome, occupying 2/3rd the diameter of nucleus
- Six anteriorly directed flagella arise from blepharoplast, lying anterior to the two nuclei in two groups of three in each
- Caudal flagella arise on each side from a distinct blepharoplast posterior to large anterior blepharoplast and pass posteriorly emerging at the posterior end of the body.
Life cycle
- Organism divides by longitudinal binary fission
- Transmission is usually through contaminated feed and water
Pathogenesis
- Disease caused by this parasite is called hexamitosis. It usually occurs in birds kept in unhygienic condition
- Turkey upto 2 months of age are susceptible. Hexamitosis in Turkey poults is commonly called ‘infectious catarrhal enteritis’.
- There is catarrhal enteritis of upper digestive tract and produces a marked lack of tone in duodenum and jejunum
- Small intestine is inflamed and edematous congestion of glandular tissue of caecum
- Diseased birds produce watery diarrhea, becomes listless, loss of weight rapidly and finally dies.
- Recovered birds grow poorly and act as carrier.
Diagnosis
- Demonstration of living organisms in a drop of contents of small intestine.
Treatment
- Furazolidone @ 110 mg/kg in feed could be prevented by continuous feeding
- Nithiazide @0.02% in drinking water control fatal out breaks due to hexamita and histomonas in turkey.
Note: Euryxenous: Parasite which have broad range of host