VPA 211: General Veterinary Parasitology and Helminthology (3+1)

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Epidemiology

• Tapeworm infections are common in free range birds than the intensive system of rearing. Since free range birds have more access to eat I/H than birds reared under confined environment.
• Sometimes heavy tapeworm infection occurs in intensive system of management due to this system provide conducive environment for breeding of I/H like flies, beetles and ants.

Pathogenesis

• D. proglottina is most pathogenic tapeworm. The worms are penetrate deeply between the villi causes necrosis and haemorrhagic enteritis. Sometimes death may occur due to intestinal obstruction.
• Chronic infection characterized by reduced growth rate, emaciation and weakness.
• R. echinobothridia is most pathogenic causes nodules formation in the intestine is called as “Nodular taeniasis” in poultry. Hyperplastic enteritis may also occur.
• All other tapeworms are less pathogenic but in heavy infection results in reduced egg production and general weakness.