[Role of ticks of the species Argas persicus Oken, 1818, in the epizootology of pullorum disease in birds]

Abstract

Studies was the role played by ticks of the Argas persicus species in the epizootiology of pullorum disease in birds. Use was made of microbiologic, radiometric, and autoradiographic methods to follow up the period of carrying Salmonella gallinarum-pullorum, the localization and routes of elimination of the causative agent as well as the possibility of transmitting the infection by ticks. The pathogen was found to persist in the alimentary tract for a long time (at least 8 months--as long as the observation period lasted) without altering its pathogenicity, being excreted through the feces. No Salmonella-carriers were found among ticks in pullorum infection foci, and this points to the fact that their part as disease-transmission factors is limited. Regardless of what has already been established, however, the long term of harbouring pathogenic Salmonellae by ticks necessitates the organization of sanitation measures including such which aim to destroy the ticks on infected poultry farms.