First report of an outbreak trichomoniasis in turkey in Sistan, Iran

In June 2010, in small flock of turkeys (n = 45) that co-bred with domestic hens (n = 30) and pigeons (n = 35), a disease occurred with the clinical signs of pendulum crop, in appetence and loppy wings. Disease had morbidity (10.3 %) and mortality (6/6 %). Three carcasses and two ill turkeys were referred to the Veterinary clinic in Zabol region for diagnosis and treatment of disease. At necropsy, the oral cavity/crop small yellowish-white masses were characterized. Necrosis in mucosal of crop to gizzard increased and in the crop smelly yellowish green secretions were characterized. According to clinical and necropsy, strong suspicion to trichomoniasis was very high so for perfect diagnosing samples were taken from dead and live turkeys. Samples were taken from oral cavity, esophagus and crop mucous membranes indicated Trichomonas spp infection. 9 out of 45 pieces of turkey (20 %), 23 out of 35 pieces pigeons (65.7 %) were infected but the domestic hens were not contaminated. The result of this study indicates that tricomoniasis can be an important disease of turkeys in Iran co-bred with pigeons and domestic hens.