Search

The Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) has been raised in captivity for over a hundred years, but their susceptibility to infectious disease is very poorly documented. The macroscopic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural changes in the respiratory tract of nine Great Blue Turacos (Corythaeola cristata) who died in captivity were investigated. Macroscopically diffuse granulomatous lesions were observed in the lung and the associated air sacs, with a grey-greenish mold on their inner surface. Histopathologic examination revealed widespread necrosis in the lungs associated with vasculitis. Microthrombi were observed in the blood vessels suggesting disseminating intravascular coagulation. Intra-alveolar hemorrhage and infiltration with macrophages, plasma cells, epithelioid cells, and multinucleate giant cells were observed. PAS staining showed hyphae and conidia, While, Ziehl-Neelsen stain was negative. Transmission electron microcopy examination revealed the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia invading the pulmonary tissue as semilunar spores within the alveolar macrophages. Lysosomal degranulation was also observed in association with fragmented spores suggesting active phagocyosis. Awareness of this condition might improve the rapid and appropriate treatment of exotic birds kept in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flamingo mortalities recorded in Egypt were investigated using parasitological, light, and transmission electron microscopy. During the period 2009-2014, a total of 27 flamingos were examined. Traumatic Myopathy recorded in the major cases 20 cases of 27which appeared as pectrol, superficial and deep leg muscles heamatoma, pulmonary congestion and oedema, swollen kidneys, with a dark cortex. In addition to hepatocellular necrosis and dilatation of liver sinusoids, loss of the glomerular tuft cellularity and necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules. Sarcosyts (n=2) were observe in the esophagus and intestinal wall of two birds. Blood films stained with Glemsa stain showed the presence of trypanosome sp (one case) between the blood cells. Ehrichlia organism (n=20) in the cytoplasm of monocytes. Ehrichlia organisms were identified as· vacuole micro-colonies (morula) in the spleen and the intestinal muscularis mucosal layer by Transmission electron microscopy. Flamnigolepis liguloides, cestodes (Hymenlopididae) was detected and identified. These cestodes resulted in massive necrosis of intestinal mucosa. Intestinal coccidiosis (n=7) showed severe tissue damage, necrosis and disintegration of glandular epithelial cells, hemorrhage in the sub-mucosa and plenty of schizonts and oocysts. Tetrameriasis were observed in the proventriculs of all birds (n=27) and resulted in atrophy of the proventriculus. Flamingo wing louse was identified as Anaticola phoenicopteri and recorded in all cases (n=27). Amyloidosis recorded in all cases which appeared as Focal amyloidosis of the spleen and associated with spontaneous splenic rupture and suggested altered immune function occurred. It was concluded that the mortality of the migratory flamingo related to multifactorial agents started from the presence of stress, blood parasites, intestinal parasites resulted in several alterations in tissues to be the main causes of mortalities. Moreover, it is reconunended to improve their European habitat before migration in order to minimize mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study of outdoor cultivated habitats was conducted in the northern part of the Western Desert in Egypt (Al Dabaa - Marsa Matroh Governorate) between March 2010 and August 2013. Samples were collected from skin lesions occurring on the Egyptian lesser blind mole rat (Spalax leucodon Egyptiacus). Gross examination of the lesions showed alopecia and grey, circumscribed nodules, average size 2-5mm, in the hair-free thigh regions of the animals, varying from three to ten in number. Skin scrapings revealed numerous Lynxacarus egyptiacus, as well as other ectoparasites including Polyplax serrata and gamasid mites. Histopathological examination of the skin lesions showed features of demodetic perifollicular inflammation with aggregations of eggs in the dermis and in the keratin layer. Destroyed hair follicles were associated with fibroblastic proliferation and lymphocytic infiltration. Invasion with Polyplax serrata and gamasid mites resulted in keratinolysis, itching, and slight haemorrhage. This study is the first study to report on mixed lice infestations, and their associated histopathological changes, occurring in the Egyptian lesser blind mole rat. Since the population of this species is in decline, data relating to pathologies that occur in the Egyptian mole rat are of significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a critically endangered species. Red anus syndrome (RAS) is known to be associated with parasitic infections of the eel, particularly with Anguillicola crassus, but the full range of causative pathogenic organisms has not been systematically investigated. Here we examined the infective organisms and histopathological and ultrastructural features of seventy eels with RAS. In total, nine different pathogens were detected in association with RAS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa were present in twelve specimens (17%), the metacercaria of Euclinostromum heterostomum in three cases (4%), Gastrostome (Bucephalidae family) in seven cases (10%), A. crassus in forty-five cases (64%), Bothriocephalus in seventeen cases (24%), and Proteocephalus in twenty-three cases (32%). Yeast, amoeba, and myxobolus-like pathogens were seen in the anal skin in all cases when examined in combination with electron microscopy. Histopathologically, the lesions appeared as anoproctitis of varying severity from mild anusitis to severe haemorrhagic anoproctitis, with severe perianal oedema, haemorrhage, and proctoptosis. Gut inflammation ranged from mild catarrhal enteritis to severe haemorrhagic enteritis with mucosal sloughing. RAS is associated with a range of parasitic infections, not only A. crassus, some of which we describe here for the first time. Since RAS is not associated with direct invasion by parasites, it is likely that RAS is a secondary phenomenon caused by superadded infection on a background of generalised immunosuppression, or indirect local toxic effects. RAS may be used as a non-invasive indicator of underlying parasitic infection, but further investigations are required to establish the causative organisms for effective fishery management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a critically endangered species. Red anus syndrome (RAS) is known to be associated with parasitic infections of the eel, particularly with Anguillicola crassus, but the full range of causative pathogenic organisms has not been systematically investigated. Here we examined the infective organisms and histopathological and ultrastructural features of seventy eels with RAS. In total, nine different pathogens were detected in association with RAS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa were present in twelve specimens (17%), the metacercaria of Euclinostromum heterostomum in three cases (4%), Gastrostome (Bucephalidae family) in seven cases (10%), A. crassus in forty-five cases (64%), Bothriocephalus in seventeen cases (24%), and Proteocephalus in twenty-three cases (32%). Yeast, amoeba, and myxobolus-like pathogens were seen in the anal skin in all cases when examined in combination with electron microscopy. Histopathologically, the lesions appeared as anoproctitis of varying severity from mild anusitis to severe haemorrhagic anoproctitis, with severe perianal oedema, haemorrhage, and proctoptosis. Gut inflammation ranged from mild catarrhal enteritis to severe haemorrhagic enteritis with mucosal sloughing. RAS is associated with a range of parasitic infections, not only A. crassus, some of which we describe here for the first time. Since RAS is not associated with direct invasion by parasites, it is likely that RAS is a secondary phenomenon caused by superadded infection on a background of generalised immunosuppression, or indirect local toxic effects. RAS may be used as a non-invasive indicator of underlying parasitic infection, but further investigations are required to establish the causative organisms for effective fishery management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]