Vol. 11, Special Issue 1 (2026)

Author(s): Yashica KA, Silamparasan M and Hemaswathy L

Heterakis gallinarum is a common caecal nematode of domestic poultry. H. gallinarum is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal nematode of poultry that affects a wide range of poultry. The parasite causes mild pathogenesis; in severe cases, it may lead to motility. The veterinary significance of Heterakis gallinarum is attributed to its ability to transmit the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. The H. gallinarum infection often occurs as coinfection with other pathogenic parasites. The present study reports the morphological identification of H. gallinarum in affected native chickens, corroborated by microscopic examination of the adult worms and their characteristic morphology, and the gross pathological lesions in the ceaca, which confirmed the infection without other parasitic co-infections. These findings highlight the occurrence of Heterakiasis in poultry under field conditions and highlight the need for routine parasitological surveillance in poultry to prevent associated health and production losses.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2026.v11.i1Sb.2965