Prozomosis, also known as caecal or oviducal fluke infection, is a common parasitic disease affecting chickens. It primarily affects adult hens and is one of the main causes of reduced egg production and the formation of abnormal eggs. This condition can significantly impact poultry farming by decreasing productivity and increasing economic losses.
The causative agent of prozomosis is *Prostostomum*, commonly referred to as fallopian flukes. These flatworms resemble small leaf fragments, with a reddish-brown color. They measure between 3 to 9 mm in length and 1 to 5 mm in width. The parasites have two suckers on their heads, which help them attach and live within the host's reproductive system. Adult flukes mainly reside in the oviducts and cloaca of infected hens.
The life cycle of these parasites involves snails as intermediate hosts. Eggs are excreted through the feces into water, where they hatch into free-swimming cercariae. These larvae infect snails, developing into rediae and then into cercariae again. When chickens consume contaminated water or feed containing the infective larvae, the parasites migrate from the intestines to the cloaca and eventually reach the oviducts, where they mature into adults.
In the early stages of infection, the hen may show signs of inflammation in the cloaca, such as excessive discharge. As the parasites damage the mucous membranes and glandular tissues of the oviducts, egg production becomes disrupted, leading to the formation of non-yellow, soft-shelled, or misshapen eggs. Infected chickens may also display systemic symptoms like loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, feather loss around the abdomen, and a swollen, inflamed cloaca.
During post-mortem examination, inflammation of the oviducts and cloaca is often observed, along with broken eggs and protein deposits. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical signs such as leucorrhea (mucus discharge), decreased egg production, and malformed eggs. Fecal examination for fluke eggs can confirm the presence of the parasite, while necropsy and identification of adult worms provide more accurate results.
Treatment options include the use of carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 1.5 ml per bird. It is recommended to feed the chicken before administration to ensure it is full and easier to handle. Alternatively, hexachloroethane can be administered orally at a dose of 0.2 to 0.5 grams per bird, mixed into water or feed once daily for three days. A 5% trichlorfon solution can also be applied directly to the cloaca and oviducts, yielding good results.
Prevention focuses on proper waste management to avoid contamination of water sources, which breaks the parasite’s life cycle. Maintaining clean living conditions and controlling snail populations are also essential measures to reduce the risk of prozomosis in poultry flocks.
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