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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory » Research » Research Project #442296

Research Project: Characterization, Prevention, and Mitigation of Histomoniasis in Turkey

Location: Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory

Project Number: 8042-32000-118-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 1, 2022
End Date: May 31, 2027

Objective:
Objective 1: Harness genetics, genomics, and electron microscopy to better define the epidemiology of Heterakis and Histomonas to inform mitigation strategies. Component 5: Problem Statement 5A Objective 2: Identify targets for pharmacological, phytochemical, or immunological interventions that could be developed into disease preventives and therapeutics. Component 5: Problem Statement 5A Objective 3: Evaluate mitigation strategies for their potential to prevent horizontal transmission of Histomonas meleagridis in commercial turkeys. Component 5: Problem Statement 5A

Approach:
We will seek better means to limit the impact of outbreaks by: 1) Testing vaccines for their ability to preventing infection or limiting pathogenesis 2) Enhancing diagnostics and outbreak tracing using genetic tools, 3) Establishing management strategies based on improved understanding of pathogenesis and the parasite life cycle; and 4) Preventing disease by identifying novel pharmaceuticals.