Earthworm transmission of Heterakis and Histomonas to turkeys and chickens.

AUSTIlACT: Lumbricus lerres/ris, Alloloboplloro collginosa. and Eisen;o /ocada are \'ectors in tJle transmission of Heterakis gllilinarum nnd Histomonas to chickens and turkeys. The infective stage for Heterak is was found to be tJ1C second-stage ( fi rst post-hatching stage) larvae. Eurthwomls from infected premises thut were maintained 2 to 3 days in cach of tJlTOO or morc chunges of clean soil or 7 doys on moist filter paper transmitted as many cecal worms and produced as many Hislomoruu Infections as did wonns of the same species and source fLod directly from the contnminated soil. Tho wonns' castings produced no infections. Subjecting earthworms to either 1% formalin or 1.5% nitric aeid prevented the transmission of Heterakis and H istomonas. lIeterakis eggs were never found in d issected earthwonns or in washings of parts of earihwomls. Living larvae emerged from the tissues into tJ1C coelomic cavities of d issected worms, and into the medium in which intact wonllS were immersed.