Treatment of Cecal and Liver Trichomoniasis in Turkeys by Fever Therapy

Abstract

Since 1937, experimental work has been in progress on the use of fever therapy for the cure of cecal and liver trichomoniasis in turkeys, a widespread disease of domestic fowls caused by the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas gallinarum. This organism invades the tissues of the lower digestive tract of birds and in chronic infection produces lesions in the ceca and liver. These lesions closely resemble, and undoubtedly have been often confused with, those produced by Histomonas meleagridis in the disease commonly known as blackhead. Birds with chronic trichomoniasis are droopy in appearance, refuse to eat, and lose weight. The droppings become quite liquid and light yellow in color. Young birds usually die 4 to 8 days after exhibiting the first symptoms of the disease, although in mature birds the period between the first symptoms and death may be much longer.

Most of the turkeys used in this preliminary study were naturally infected and ranged from 3 to 18 months in age. At the beginning of the work the disease was diagnosed by the external symptoms noted above, and by microscopic examination of the cecal discharges.

Recently it has been found that by making an incision into the abdominal cavity, and with the aid of a strong light, it is possible to observe the liver and ceca directly for lesions. The direct observation of lesions and identification of trichomonads in cecal droppings have made certain the elimination from treatment of birds exhibiting external symptoms similar to those of trichomoniasis but actually due to other causes.

Birds undergoing treatment were placed in a thermostatically controlled cabinet for periods ranging from 1 to 2 hours. The internal body temperature of the bird was raised from 2 to 6 degrees above the normal of 106.5°F by maintaining an air temperature within the cabinet of approximately 104°F, and a relative humidity of 60 to 70%.