Tetrameres spp

Tetrameres spp are small parasitic roundworms which invade the proventriculus of chickens, turkeys, pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks, pheasants, and quails. There are two species which infect poultry: T. americana and T. fissispina.

Life Cycle: Tetrameres spp have an indirect life cycle. Birds become infected through ingestion of an intermediate host, which are grasshoppers, cockroaches, earthworms, and water fleas. Adult female Tetrameres worms lay embryonated eggs in the host's gut that are passed in their droppings. Intermediate hosts ingest the eggs from the environment, which release the larvae a few hours later. These larvae complete development to infective L3 larvae in about 7 weeks and become encysted in the body of the intermediate host. The prepatent period (time between infection and first eggs shed) of Tetrameres worms is 7-8 weeks, depending on worms species and host.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based on detection of Tetrameres eggs in the feces via a fecal test.

Treatment: Anthelmintics effective against Tetrameres worms include benzimidazoles (albendazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, mebendazole, oxfendazole), levamisole, ivermectin, and piperazine.