Cryptosporidiosis in respiratory tract of turkeys in Saskatchewan

Developmental stages of Cryptosporidium sp. (Protozoa: Cryptosporiidae) were observed in tracheal epithelium of two groups of turkey poults from a farm in central Saskatchewan. Lesions associated with the parasite included excess mucus, epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia and necrosis, and macrophage and heterophil infiltration in thickened lamina propria. Infection with the parasite was confirmed by histologic and ultrastructural examination of tracheal tissues. /// Se observaron varios estados de desarrollo del protozoario Criptosporidio sp. en el epitelio traqueal de dos grupos de pavas jóvenes de una granja del centro de la provincia de Saskatchewan, Canadá. Las lesiones asociadas con el parásito incluyeron hiperplasia mucoide, metaplasia epitelial y necrosis, engrosamiento de la lámina propia e infiltración de macrófagos y heterófilos. La infección por el parásito fué confirmada mediante el exámen histopatológico y ultraestructural de tejidos traqueales.