Isolation and identification of Aegyptianella pullorum (Rickettsiales, Anaplasmataceae) in wild turkeys from North America.

Isodiagnosis of blood from Rio Grande wild turkeys from southern Texas revealed a small, intraerythrocytic rickettsia, Aegyptianella pullorum Carpano, 1928, in 24 of 300 samples. Identification of this first isolate from North America was made using both light and transmission electron microscopy. It is suggested that the translocation of wild turkeys from Texas to other states could spread this pathogen to both wild birds and domestic poultry.