Tetratrichomonas gallinarum granuloma disease in a flock of free range layers

Granuloma disease in a flock of free range productive layers in the Netherlands in 2017 is described. The disease resembled granuloma outbreaks in layers caused by Tetratrichomonas gallinarum in 2013 and occurred in the same area in which the rearing farm considered as the source of the 2013 outbreaks was located. Between 55 and 84 weeks of age mortality was 20.3% (breeder’s norm 3.9%). All dead hens examined (n = 20) showed granulomas especially in liver and ceca. Nine hens with or without liver and/or ceca granulomas were examined for trichomonads in mentioned organs by in situ hybridization (ISH), nested PCR, and cloning and sequencing. Ceca were also examined by culture. T. gallinarum ISH was positive in all livers and ceca with granulomas and negative in case granulomas were absent. T. gallinarum strain 13/16632, which caused the 2013 outbreaks was found in 4/8 hens with granulomas. Moreover, other trichomonads were detected: a T. gallinarum strain GPO-like and a Simplicimonas sp. strain GABC1-like. Mixed infections also occurred. Infectious causes of granuloma disease other than the afore-mentioned trichomonads could be excluded. Trichomonad DNA was not detected in environmental samples and wild ducks originating from the farm of concern, except for one duck in which the same Simplicimonas sp. as in hens was detected, leaving the source of the T. gallinarum infection in hens unknown. It is concluded that the herein described granuloma disease likely was caused by T. gallinarum strain 13/16632. However, the pathogenicity of the other trichomonads found remains to be clarified.