ABSTRACT
The pathology induced in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) by one cestode species Hymenolepis
cantaniana is described together with data on prevalence, mean infection and range of worm
burdens. H. cantaniana occurred with a prevalence of 5.0 % in the 40 examined hosts in a range of
14-21 specimens and a mean intensity of 17.5. Gross lesions were not observed in the parasitized
birds. Lesions due to H. cantaniana mainly consisted of multiple segments of parasites, together with
a mild mixed inflammatory reaction with the presence of mononuclear cells and heterophils or severe
transmural inflammatory processes, characterized by the presence of mononuclear cells along the
muscular and serosa layers of the intestinal villi and crypts. These are the first pathological findings
related to the presence of cestodes in turkeys to be reported in Brazil so far. Raillietina tetragona, not
pathogenic to the present investigated turkeys, occurred with a low prevalence and range of infection
of 2.5% and 1-2 worms, respectively.
Key words: cestodes, Hymenolepis cantaniana, pathology, Raillietina tetragona, occurrence,
birds, Meleagris gallopavo, turkeys, Brazil.