Trichomonas Gallinae Prevalence and Genetic Characteristics from Racing Pigeons in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Abstract

T richomonas gallinae is a protozoan that causes an important disease in pigeons known as avian trichomoniasis. It is anaerobic, flagellates and classified in the class Zoomastigophorea and the phylum Trichomonadida (Muzeal & Khudeir, 2022). T. gallinae primarily affects the digestive and respiratory systems of birds.This disease is usually referred to as "canker" when it affects pigeons. Some strains are virulent, while others are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Yellow-green secretions with an unpleasant odor from the mouth, diarrhea, emaciation, severe weight loss, The onset of decaying lesions, the appearance of cheddar-like sores, and oral irritations that prevent swallowing and cause catastrophic respiratory failure are all symptoms of this condition.T. gallinae is spread between birds through parents feeding their young and ingesting contaminated food and water. It is also spread among raptors and carnivorous birds by consuming infected birds. The parasite can be diagnosed by the following methods: observing the characteristic lesions of the disease; observing the protozoa and its flagella microscopically; culturing the parasite; and using molecular methods.In the subject of molecular epidemiology of microorgan-