ANIMALS

Davainea proglottina: a potentially underestimated but

significant parasite of free-range poultry
A medical professional called the
MPI exotic pest and disease hotline to A call to the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline triggered an
report high mortality in a chicken flock investigation that identified Davainea proglottina, known as the
whose owner had been diagnosed with minute tapeworm or the small chicken tapeworm, as the cause of
influenza. An Incursion Investigator significant mortality in a backyard chicken flock. Here we report
interviewed the flock owner. It on this potentially underestimated poultry parasite that poses a
transpired that 32 chickens in a flock
diagnostic and control challenge for backyard poultry flocks and
of 60 (53 percent) had died, mostly
the increasing numbers of free-range commercial egg-laying
at eight to 16 weeks of age and over a
operations. Of further significance is that a clinical manifestation of
six-month period. Typically an affected
bird lost weight, “dropped a wing”,
D. proglottina infection can resemble that of neurotropic Newcastle
became recumbent and eventually died. disease (ND), an exotic disease in New Zealand.
Recumbent chickens still tried to eat
despite having difficulty swallowing. Egg
production ceased in the flock. Based
Except for a number in poor body (Capillaria spp.) were present in
on the epidemiology and clinical signs
condition, there were no obvious signs crop scrapings. It was concluded that
(there were no neurological signs in this
of ill-health in the flock. The poor egg D. proglottina was responsible for the
case), the potential exotic diagnoses of
production could be partly attributed to clinical signs and mortality rate observed
avian influenza and Newcastle disease
the time of year. in this flock and the investigation
were ruled out.
was closed.
Three chickens in poor body condition
The owner’s influenza was subsequently
were humanely culled by cervical
typed and confirmed as regular seasonal
dislocation. Post-mortem findings
Epidemiology and
influenza A, subtype H3N2. Nevertheless,
given the high mortality rate in the flock,
included variable amounts of feed in pathogenesis
the crops, and enlarged gall bladders. D. proglottina is a very small (0.5–2 mm)
the investigation proceeded in order to
Small spleens suggested the involvement tapeworm affecting the duodenum
determine the cause.
of a non-infectious agent. The duodena and upper jejunum of chickens, other
The flock owner submitted two moribund were somewhat enlarged and two gallinaceous birds and pigeons (Soulsby,
chickens to a commercial pathology birds had duodenal haemorrhages. 1968). The adult tapeworm has four to
laboratory. Both birds were in poor body Mucosal scrapings contained large nine segments and the head (scolex)
condition, with moderate-to-marked numbers of motile, immature segments has four suckers surrounded by rings
atrophy of the pectoral musculature and of D. proglottina. Scolices were less of hooks, with the mouth also ringed
a lack of abdominal fat. Histopathological readily visible. In one bird, hairworms by hooks (Figure 1). It has an indirect
findings were most consistent with
parasitism but one bird also displayed
signs of a terminal septicaemia.
Consequently the Incursion Investigator
arranged a visit to the property with a
poultry specialist.
The affected flock consisted of a mixture
of breeds acquired over a two-year
period. At the beginning of the outbreak
there had been 60 birds ranging in
age from one week to three years. The
chickens were closed in two coops at
night and free-ranged during the day.
They were fed a commercial laying-
hen-and-pullet feed once a day (in the
morning). The flock owner had recently
started adding flubendazole dewormer
(Flubenol, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) to
the diet at three-weekly intervals.
The remaining 30 birds were examined Figure 1: Davainea proglottina: scolex and first two segments (scale bar = 100 µ).
in their coops. Seven birds were handled. Photo: Neil Christensen, Avivet

6 Surveillance 43 (1) 2016

 life cycle (Figure 2) with several
species of slugs of the genera Cepoea,
Limax, Agrilimax and Arion acting as
intermediate hosts (Abbou, 1958a).
After release of the gravid segments and
eggs in the birds’ faeces, the embryos
(oncospheres) are taken up by the
intermediate hosts. A cysticercoid
develops in the intermediate host in
about 13 days at a temperature of 26oC,
or in 26–28 days at 15oC. Chickens
become infected by ingesting infected
slugs, and the adult stage is reached in
10–13 days (Abbou, 1958b). Slugs of the
families Agriolimacidae (e.g., Deroceras
panormitanium) and Limacidae (genus
indeterminate) have been recovered
from properties where birds have
become infected with D. proglottina in
New Zealand.
Despite its size D. proglottina is one of
the more pathogenic cestodes in poultry,
especially in young birds (McDougald,
2013) and particularly when it occurs
in large numbers (Permin & Hansen,
1998). The scolices of the worms burrow
deeply into the mucosa and give rise to a
marked enteritis that can penetrate to the
serosa (Figure 3).

Clinical signs and diagnosis

The clinical signs of davaineasis include
dull plumage, slow movements, reduced
weight gain, emaciation, paralysis and
death. Sometimes there is penetration
of the intestine, leading to peritonitis.
The infection can subsequently spread to
Figure 2: Life cycle of D. proglottina involve the head and sinuses, and present
as torticollis, thus mimicking neurotropic
Newcastle disease. This association
between davaineasis and nervous
signs has previously been observed
(Soulsby, 1968).
Diagnosis can be difficult. Because
the small worm autolyses quickly,
infections with Davainea may have been
underdiagnosed when pathologists have
been presented with birds that have
been dead for 24 hours or more. Careful
examination of the intestines is necessary
whenever birds present with ill-thrift and
emaciation, egg peritonitis in the absence
of obvious vent pecking, inflammation of
the serosal surface of the duodenum, or
torticollis. Duodenal mucosa scrapings
should be examined under low-power
magnification (4x and 10x objectives).

Treatment and control

Figure 3: The scolices of the worms burrow deeply into the intestinal mucosa Praziquantel is the drug of choice but
and give rise to a marked enteritis. Photo: Neil Christensen, Avivet it is not licensed for use in poultry in

Surveillance 43 (1) 2016 7

New Zealand. The recommended dose Abdou AH (1958b). Studies on the development
is 7.5 mg/kg. In-feed formulations of of Davainea proglottina in the intermediate host.
5 percent flubendazole are available Journal of Parasitology. Vol. 44 ( 5);
484-488.
and registered for use against other
tapeworms, but efficacy against Christensen NH (2016). An outbreak of
D. proglottina is not claimed. Further peritonitis and torticollis associated with an
infection of Davainea proglottina in a free-range
work is required on the scope for using
layer flock. Manuscript submitted to Avian
other anthelminthics, or higher doses Pathology (ID CAVP 2016 – 0023).
of flubendazol.
McDougald LR (2013). Internal Parasites:
Suppression of any secondary bacterial Cestodes. In: Saif YM (Editor-in-Chief), Glisson
infections resulting from penetrating JR, McDougald LR, Nolan LK, Suarez DI, Nair
ulcers or serositis can be attempted V (Associate Editors) Diseases of Poultry, 13th
Edition, 1135–1143. Wiley Blackwell, Ames,
using antibiotics that have a zero egg-
Iowa.
withholding period.
Permin A, Hansen JW (1998). Epidemiology,
D. proglottina control should be directed Diagnosis and Control of Poultry Parasites. Food
at the intermediate host. The new low- and Agricultural Organisation of the United
toxicity iron chelate molluscicides such Nations Animal Health Manual No. 4, 40–41.
as Multiguard® (Multicrop) or Dusk® Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United
(Orion) are an option. Sheep can be Nations, Rome.
used to graze the range, sweeping it of Soulsby EJL (1968). Helminths, arthropods and
intermediate hosts. Keeping the grass protozoa of domesticated animals. 6th Edition,
short also creates a less favourable 103–104, 108–110.
environment for the intermediate hosts. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge
Conclusion the contribution of Jamie Watts (www.
During 2013–2015 D. proglottina has jamiewatts.co.uk), who produced the
been diagnosed in seven commercial or life cycle diagram, and the co-operation
backyard poultry flocks from Kaipara of the chicken flock owner. Assistance
to Marlborough, in environments that was also provided by the Bay of Plenty
are favourable to the intermediate hosts. District Health Board and Dr Martin
In commercial free-range layer flocks, Earles of Barkes Corner Veterinary
mortality rates of 40 percent and hen-day Hospital.
egg production declines to 40 percent
have been observed, identifying the
pathogen as a threat to the viability of
free-range egg production (Christensen,
2016). No licensed treatments are John O’Connell
available but there are management Incursion Investigator
options to limit the parasite’s impact. Surveillance and Incursion Investigation
(Animal and Marine)
REFERENCES Ministry for Primary Industries
Abdou AH (1958a). The Life-Cycle of Davainea john.o’[email protected]
Proglottina Davaine and Relation between the
Proglottids Discharged Daily and the Number
of Tapeworms in the Domestic Fowl. Canadian Neil Christensen
Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary AViVET
Science 22(10), 338–343, 367. [email protected]

8 Surveillance 43 (1) 2016