Research Information System
TIERAERZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE GROSSTIERE NUTZTIERE, vol.36, no.3, pp.209-212, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: The study describes findings in histomoniasis in turkeys. Material and methods: Findings of a pathological and protozoological examination in three four-month-old turkeys as well as clinical symptoms in surviving animals were recorded. Results: Live turkeys showed anorexia, depression, altered behaviour and weight loss. Their feathers had been ruffled, wings were flaccid, heads were lowered and the skin on the heads was blue-violet. They defecated sulphure coloured faeces. Upon necropsy,the liver was macroscopically enlarged and showed necrotic areas. The caecal wall was thickened and hyperaemic. The lumen of the caecum was filled with a sulphure coloured ingesta. Microscopically extensive coagulation necrosis in the liver could be seen. In many areas lymphocytes, macrophages, heterophil leucocytes and giant cells were present. In the Giemsa stain, Histomonas meleagridis protozoons had basophilic cytoplasm, and basophile granules were located near the nucleus, In the caecum, there was sloughed epithelium in some areas and hyperplastic epithelium in some other areas. Large numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages were also scattered throughout the caecal propria. Protozoologically, numerous Histomonas meleagridis were demonstrated from liver and caecal contents.