The Occurrence of the Protozoan Parasite Histomonas meleagridis in the Adults and Eggs of the Cecal Worm Heterakis gallinae *

SYNOPSIS. Females of Heterakis gallinae were separated on the basis of their capacity to transmit the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. Sections of worms, capable of transmitting the protozoon, revealed the organism in both males and females as well as in the eggs. Infected male worms contained histomonads in the gut wall and the wall and lumen of the reproductive system. Female worms infected with H. meleagridis showed the organisms throughout the reproductive system. Histomonads, found in uterine eggs possessing shells, had a larger nucleus and reduced cytoplasm. Because of the presence of the protozoon among the sperm in the male reproductive system, it is believed the organism can be transmitted to female worms through copulation. The cycle in the worms also supports the assumption that H. meleagridis was originally a parasite of the worm.