Controlling Histomonas gallinarum transmission in turkey flocks
Official title: Controlling Histomonas meleagridis transmission in turkey flocks
Funded at Division of Agriculture · NIH-11641871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in turkeys will explore how a cyst-like form of Histomonas meleagridis spreads within flocks and test ways to block transmission, aiming to protect turkey health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Division of Agriculture NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $25,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U18FD008479-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11641871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to human patients; the study involves turkey flocks and may inform strategies for poultry health.
✕Less likely to help
Humans will not directly benefit, but poultry producers and animal health may see improvements.
What this research studies
This project focuses on Histomonas meleagridis, a parasite that can cause severe illness and very high death rates in turkeys. Researchers have found cyst-like structures that may help the parasite survive in the environment and contribute to transmission. The study will use laboratory culture and turkey infection experiments to understand how these cyst-like forms form, survive low pH, and initiate infection in birds. The goal is to identify transmission points and develop strategies to prevent outbreaks in commercial turkey flocks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to prevent Histomonas outbreaks and reduce mortality in turkeys.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that similar cyst-like structures can contribute to transmission in other pathogens, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Division of Agriculture
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Danielle — Division of Agriculture
- Study coordinator: Graham, Danielle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.