[Detection of Hexamita meleagridis in Bulgaria]

Protozoa of the Hexamita meleagridis species were isolated for the first time in this country. The infection was observed in turkeys at the age of 2 to 5 weeks. The parasite was shown to have oval body measuring 8.16 Mm (length) and 3.55 Mm (width) two nuclei, and eight symmetrically attached filaments. The latter were shown to serve Hexamita organisms which exhibit exclusive motility. The identification of the parasite was made through the study of smears (of the content of small intestines with catarrhal inflammation) under the microscope in a dark field or with staining after Giemsa. Demonstration proved possible only with the use of either freshly killed turkeys that were clinically affected with the disease or dead turkeys that were still warm. At the second hour following death no Hexamita were found.