11/9/21, 3:24 PM Tetrameriasis in Chickens

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Tetrameriasis
Other Names: Proventricular Tetrameriasis, Tetrameriosis
Tetrameriasis is a parasitic infection of poultry caused by Tetrameres spp (T. americana or T.
fissispina) roundworms. 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.

Adult female Tetrameres spp worms embed themselves into the glands or lining of the
proventriculus, which induces nodules that can grow so large that they compress the glands and
can cause them to atrophy. The mucosa of the proventriculus becomes irritated and inflamed
from Tetrameres spp continuously feeding on blood. This can result in the accumulation of
undigested food in the proventriculus, which can flow back to the esophagus and the crop that
become obliterated.

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 worm species
and host.

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

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11/9/21, 3:24 PM Tetrameriasis in Chickens

Tetrameriasis Treatment
Anthelmintics effective against Tetrameres worms include benzimidazoles (albendazole,
fenbendazole, flubendazole, mebendazole, oxfendazole), levamisole, ivermectin, and
piperazine.
Clinical Signs
Vomiting
Green colored feces
Weight loss
Anemia
Diarrhea
Diagnosis Treatment
Name Summary
Supportive Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm
care location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water
and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Anthelmintics Benzimidazoles (albendazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, mebendazole,
oxfendazole), levamisole, ivermectin, and piperazine.

Support

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11/9/21, 3:24 PM Tetrameriasis in Chickens

Prevention
Regularly conduct fecal tests and/or scheduled deworming program
Scientific References
1Werneck, Max R., et al.. Atrophic Proventriculitis Associated with Gravid Females of
Tetrameres sp.(Nematoda: Tetrameridae) in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus
magellanicus) on the Coast of Brazil (https://doi.org/10.1645/18-105) Journal of
Parasitology 106.1 (2020)
2JPC Systemic Pathology. Proventricular tetrameriasis in a pigeon
(https://www.askjpc.org/vspo/show_page.php?
id=YkZ3bytveFp3UDUvZVl2RGZINkdHQT09) VSPO (2018)
3P. Junquera. Tetrameres spp in Poultry (https://parasitipedia.net/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=2652&Itemid=2941) PARASITIPEDIA.net (2017)
4Kamani, J., et al. Tetrameres fissispina infection in local chickens in Taraba State, Nigeria,
case report. International Journal of Poultry Science 7.12 (2008)
5Fink, M., et al. Prevalence of the proventricular nematode Tetrameres americana Cram
(1927) in different age groups of chickens in the Morogoro region, Tanzania. Tropical
Animal Health and Production 37.2 (2005)
6Biu, A. A., and I. Haddabi.. An investigation of Tetrameres infection among local chickens
in Maiduguri (https://www.ajol.info/index.php/nvj/article/view/3482) Nigerian Veterinary
Journal 26.1 (2005)
7Popova, Z. G. Pathological and morphological changes in the proventriculus of ducks
caused by natural Tetrameres infection.
(https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19530802568) Pathological and
morphological changes in the proventriculus of ducks caused by natural Tetrameres infection.
(1953)
8Cram, E. B. The Life History of Tetrameres americana (Cram, 1927) Baylis, 1929, a
Spirurid of the Proventriculus of Chickens
(https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19301000307) Journal of Parasitology
(1929)

Risk Factors

Free range flocks

Not conducting annual fecal testing
Allowing birds access to grasshoppers, cockroaches, earthworms, and water fleas.

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11/9/21, 3:24 PM Tetrameriasis in Chickens

Etiology

Tetrameres spp (/pathogens/tetrameres)

Also Consider

Candidiasis (/condition/candidiasis)
Capillariasis (/condition/capillaria-worms)
Roundworm infection (/condition/roundworms)

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