Tetratrichomonas is a genus of parasites that usually inhabits the lower digestive tract, especially the cecum, of various bird species. The infection might lead to birds' death, but in many cases it could be asymptomatic or with mild clinical signs which might be not observed. Subclinical infections can be undiagnosed, leading to production losses. To investigate the prevalence of Tetratrichomonas spp. in geese, 23 cloacal swabs were taken from each of 43 flocks of reproductive geese from five major geese production provinces in Poland after first, second, or third laying season. The obtained swabs were placed in culture medium for propagation of the parasite. All cultures were screened microscopically before PCR was applied to detect the parasites' DNA. After cultivation, the presence of genetic material of Tetratrichomonas was found in 430 out of 989 samples, which correspond to 38 (88.4%) of 43 flocks. The study shows how the number of laying seasons and the size of the flock in which the birds were kept affects the distribution of protozoa of the genus Tetratrichomonas in geese reproductive flocks in Poland.
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18 July 2020
The Prevalence of Tetratrichomonas spp. in Reproductive Geese Flocks
Piotr Falkowski,
Dieter Liebhart,
Kamila Bobrek,
Andrzej Gaweł
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Avian Diseases
Vol. 64 • No. 4
December 2020
Vol. 64 • No. 4
December 2020
geese
reproductive flock
Tetratrichomonas spp