With the current improved management practices in the poultry industry trichomoniasis is not common in turkeys and chickens. Outbreaks usually occur in warm climates or during warm weather. Tg is a pear-shaped flagellated protozoan with 4 anterior flagella and an undulating membrane to provide motility. Transmission Nearly all pigeons are carriers of Tg. The pathogenicity of the different strains of Tg is very variable.
Raptors often contract trichomoniasis by eating infected pigeons and doves.
Turkeys and chickens contract the disease by drinking stagnant surface water containing T. gallinae . Pigeons are believed to be the most common vector by which the water supplies are contaminated. Clinical signs Affected birds may have difficulty closing their mouths and may drool and make repeated swallowing movements. Severely affected birds will stop eating, become depressed, ruffled in appearance, and emaciated before death. Lesions Lesions are seen in the mouth, sinuses, pharynx, esophagus, crop, and proventriculus.