Rahim Hobbenaghi - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran
Mousa Tavassoli - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran
Manochehr Alimehr - Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran
Somaieh Nasiri - Graduated from Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran

The fowl blood sucking tick Argas persicus is of great medical and veterinary importance in tropical and subtropical regions because of its role as the vector of certain parasitic bacterial and viral pathogens. In this study, the pathological changes of its bite on the poultry skin have been investigated. Twenty two (12 infested with adults and 10 infested with nymphs) Ross broilers (308) were infested with the tick on the skin of hock joints. Other side healthy legs were used as control. Samples were collected after 6, 24, 48 and 96 hours and 1 or 2 weeks. The skin samples were fixed at 10% buffered formalin and histological sections were prepared using routine Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. The results showed subcutaneous oedema, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, extensive hemorrhage, feather follicle oedema. Necrosis and epidermal hyperplasia are the prominent lesions in this study. It is concluded that the chicken infestation with Argas persicus caused cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. Therefore, it can be considered as a cause of economic loss.

Argas persicus, Poultry, Pathologic changes, tick biting, cutaneous lesions