ARS | Publication request: HISTOLOGIC STUDY OF HEPATIC LESIONS IN TWO TURKEY FLOCKS

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 2, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The livers of many turkeys are condemned at processing because of the presence of small white or yellowish spots (lesions). It is assumed that these lesions represent an infectious area, but they have not been properly studied. This paper reports the nature of the liver lesions from two turkey flocks studied over a 15 week period. The majority of the lesions were composed of white blood cells. An important finding was that many lesions contained the immature form of a roundworm parasite of turkeys known as Ascaridia dissimilis. These parasites may play a role in the production of these liver lesions.

Technical Abstract: Hepatic lesions were studied in two turkey flocks by euthanatizing 50 birds a week from the ages of 1 through 15 wk. Samples of liver that contained lesions and samples of duodenum, pancreas, ileum, and cecal tonsil were examined histologically. Lymphocytic infiltrations made up 82 % and 75% of the hepatic lesions, and granulomas occurred in 18% and 25% of the livers. Nematode larvae were present in 12% and 15% of the hepatic lesions.