Tetrameres infection in local poultry in Katsina State, Nigeria

We report an outbreak of Tetrameres americana in a semi intensive flock of local poultry in Katsina State, Nigeria causing mortality of 40% in chicken and 57% in turkeys, approaching Newcastle Disease and Avian influenza in mortality.Presence of reddish spots on the serosa of proventriculus was initially mistaken for pin-point haemorrhages, thus a presumptive diagnosis of Newcastle disease. However, on gross pathological examination, the reddish spots were identified as gravid females of Tetrameres americana embedded in the serosal surface of the proventriculus of the chicken and turkeys. Tissue homogenates from dead birds were negative for Newcastle disease and Avian influenza viruses by rapid antigen detection and isolation in hen's embryonated eggs. Recently, we had reported infection due to Tetrameres fissispina in local poultry population in Taraba State, Nigeria causing high mortality at the time Avian influenza outbreaks were initially confirmed in both local and commercial poultry flocks in Nigeria. It is thus important to investigate the epidemiology of this parasite and its contribution to mortality and economic losses in poultry industry in Nigeria.