Respiratory cryptosporidiosis in broiler chickens

A flock of 7-week-old broiler chickens in northwestern Arkansas showed signs of respiratory distress. Gross pathologic alterations were excessive exudate in the tracheas and congestion of the nasal turbinates. An adenovirus was isolated from fresh trachea specimens. Microscopically, alterations in tracheal sections were thickened mucosa with inflammatory-cell lamina-proprial infiltrate and epithelial squamous metaplasia. Protozoan parasites present on the epithelial surface were identified by electron microscopy as Cryptosporidium spp. These organisms were attached to the tracheal mucosa epithelium and the luminal surface of mucous glands. The significance of the intercurrent adenovirus infection was not determined.