PREVALENCE OF CERTAIN ANTIBODIES TO SELECTED DISEASE-CAUSING AGENTS IN WILD TURKEYS IN TEXAS

In Texas in 1976 and 1977, Rio Grande turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) from seven counties and Eastern turkeys (M. g. silvestris) from one county were tested for antibodies to selected poultry pathogens. Standardized serological tests disclosed reactors to Salmonella pullorum (2.4%), S. typhimurium (2.3%), and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (4.8%). There were no reactors to Newcastle disease virus or Chlamydia psittaci. Prevalence of M. gallisepticum antibody in wild turkeys was significantly higher for counties with commercial turkey operations than for counties lacking domestic turkeys, whereas the incidence of S. pullorum and S. typhimurium did not differ significantly.