Controlling Histomonas meleagridis spread in turkey flocks
Official title: Controlling Histomonas meleagridis transmission in turkey flocks
Funded at Division of Agriculture · NIH-11419466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in turkeys will look at how the parasite Histomonas meleagridis spreads in farms and what form helps it survive, with the goal of stopping outbreaks.
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) | $639,632 |
| NIH project number | 5U18FD008479-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are turkey flocks at risk of H. meleagridis infection or farms with ongoing transmission concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Flocks with no exposure to the parasite or conditions outside the study scope may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on turkeys affected by Histomonas meleagridis, an infection that can cause severe sickness and very high death rates in flocks. Researchers are exploring a cyst-like, chitin-walled stage the parasite forms and how this structure helps it survive environmental stresses and transmit between birds. The work includes in vitro studies of the cyst-like form, plus turkey infection trials to see if these structures can initiate infection in living animals. The team aims to identify new ways to block transmission and reduce losses in poultry operations. Overall, the goal is to translate basic findings into practical strategies to keep turkeys healthier and farm biosecurity stronger.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new approaches to prevent H. meleagridis transmission, helping farms reduce outbreaks and protect turkey health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests cyst-like forms can survive stress and may drive transmission, but this project seeks to confirm and map this role in turkeys.
Where this research is happening
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Division of Agriculture
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Danielle — Division of Agriculture
- Study coordinator: Graham, Danielle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Controlling Histomonas gallinarum transmission in turkey flocks
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.
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Controlling a deadly parasite in turkey flocks
This study is looking at a harmful parasite that makes turkeys very sick, and it's trying to figure out how it spreads and how certain protective structures help it survive, with the goal of finding ways to keep turkey flocks healthier and improve farming practices.
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.