Macromorphological Changes after Spontaneous Co-invasion of Eimeriosis, Histomonosis, and Trichomoniasis in Domestic Chickens

Abstract

The study of macro morphological changes is important for recognizing pathological processes and diagnosing diseases, especially co-invasions. The current study aimed to reveal macro morphological changes during spontaneous co-invasion of Eimeria spp., Histomonas meleagridis, and Trichomonas gallinae in adult chickens. The methods of evisceration and parasitological studies of the carcasses of adult domestic chickens (n = 31) aged 1.5-2.3 years, and (n = 8) are the control group, died of a natural death from farms in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine revealed the peculiarities of manifestations of macro morphological changes in organs, which were characterized by manifestations of pathologies in 100% of cases in dead chickens by changes in the intestines and liver, in 48.39% in the spleen, in 16.13% in the bursa of Fabricius, in 16.13% in the peritoneum and 9.68% in skin. In particular, a mucosal-hemorrhagic inflammatory process was observed in the intestines of chickens with damage to both thin and thick parts (duodeno-jejuno-ileo-typho-cloacitis). This inflammatory process was observed in combination with necrotic-granulomatous lesions on the intestinal wall. A combined lesion of the liver was detected - hepatomegaly on the background of steatosis, multifocal necrosis, and granulomas (shiny, vitreous, with a white center) in the presence of Histomonas meleagridis and Trichomonas gallinae. A granulomatous splenitis was diagnosed in the spleen of chickens. Necrotic-granulomatous lesions leading to cyst formation were identified in the bursa of Fabricius. Additionally, granulomatous lesions originating from trichomoniasis were observed on the peritoneum and skin. These findings highlight the systemic nature of pathological-anatomical changes resulting from the co-infection of eimeriosis, histomoniasis, and trichomoniasis in domestic chickens. This systemic manifestation signifies the occurrence of multi-organ failure and holds valuable diagnostic implications.

Effects of Histomonas, Trichomonas, and Eimeria Co-infection on Productivity and Macro-morphological Indicators of Eggs in Laying Hens

“…Spontaneous trichomoniasis in birds involves damage to the oral cavity, pharynx, small and large parts of the intestines, and the formation of granulomas with localization in the liver and cecum (Landman et al, 2019). According to Liulin et al (2023), during co-infection eimeriosis, histomonosis, and trichomonosis in domestic chickens, lesions extended to other organs and tissues, including spleen, bursa of Fabricius, peritoneum, and even skin. The causative agents of avian trichomoniasis can cause damage to the organs of the reproductive system of birds, resulting in reduced or halted egg production (Falkowski et al, 2020).…”