Urethral polyps in Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.

Abstract

to find all of the identifying features seen in electron microAcknowledgements. The authors thank Ms. Brenda Colgraphs of the brain. The findings in the small intestine could lins and Ms. Yolanda Briggs for preparing samples for light explain extension of an enteric luminal infection to extramicroscopy and Ms. Dolores Stephenson for tissue prepaintestinal sites. ration for electron microscopy. The identity of this trichomonad is likely Tetratrichomonas gallinarum rather than Trichomonas gallinae. Tetratrichomonas gallinarum has not previously been reported from mockingbirds or from the brain of any bird. The 4 anterior 1. flagella, costa, undulating membrane, and a free recurrent flagellum identify this organism as T. gallinarum. The re2. current flagellum of T. gallinae terminates at the undulating membrane. Detailed ultrastructure of T. gallinarum has not been reported for comparison of the costa, although some limited micrographs have been published. Trichomonas gallinae has a type B costa. Invasion of the small intestine 4. is more consistent with colonization of the intestine by T. gallinarum than T. gallinae. 5,6 Although the pathogenicity of T. gallinarum has been 5. questioned, 3,5 Lee demonstrated invasion of cecal lamina propria in 4–6-week-old chicks inoculated with T. gallina6. rum, and there is no doubt of its association with pyogranulomatous diverticulitis and necrotizing meningoencephalitis in this mockingbird. Recognition of trichomonads in 7.