Based on their morphological characteristics two different nematode species, being Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia spp., and a cestode (tapeworm) were found mainly in the Duodenum and Caeca of the chicken’s digestive system.
Their 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence and a species specific digestion pattern of the 18S fragment revealed that all nematodes were Heterakis gallinarum or Ascaridia galli. Besides, juvenile stages found in litter of the chickens of both nematode species were characterized in this way .
Blasting the 18S sequence of the cestode gave the highest hit with Raillietina sp.3 Nebraska.
A PCR with specific primers for Histomonas meleagridis on liver samples, showed that chickens were not infected with this protist causing blackhead disease.
On the first the day of the practical project in the course the students have to dissect chicken to isolate internal bacteria and helminths for further investigations.
Student teams:
- Team 1: Gesineke Borghuis, Marlotte Braken, Raymon van Dijk
- Team 2: Mike Fleuren, Jules Petit, Corne Rademaker, Esther Stam
- Team 3: Arisca Visser, Chantal vogels, Loes Wiersma Emma van der Woude