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Avian Dis.: An outbreak of sarcocystosis in
psittacines and a pigeon in a zoologic collection in
Brazil.
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| Article Type: | Brief article |
| Subject: |
Pigeons
(Health aspects) Pigeons (Research) Sarcocystosis (Risk factors) Sarcocystosis (Research) Sarcocystosis (Diagnosis) |
| Authors: |
Ecco, R. Luppi, M.M. Malta, M.C.C. |
| Pub Date: | 06/01/2009 |
| Publication: | Name: Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery Publisher: Association of Avian Veterinarians Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Association of Avian Veterinarians ISSN: 1082-6742 |
| Issue: | Date: June, 2009 Source Volume: 23 Source Issue: 2 |
| Topic: | Event Code: 310 Science & research |
| Geographic: | Geographic Scope: Brazil Geographic Code: 3BRAZ Brazil |
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| Accession Number: | 252006970 |
| Full Text: |
This report describes an outbreak of acute pulmonary sarcocystosis
in different species of captive psittacine birds and in a Luzon
bleeding-heart pigeon (Gallicolumba luzonica) in a zoologic collection
in Brazil. A majority of the birds were found dead and had exhibited no
previous clinical signs. On gross examination, pulmonary congestion and
edema were the most common findings. Enlarged and congested livers and
spleens were also frequently observed. On microscopic examination, there
was edema, fibrin exudation, congestion, and perivascular and
interstitial lymphoplasmacytic infiltration associated with numerous
sinuous schizonts of Sarcocystis species in the lungs. Mild-to-moderate
myocarditis, hepatitis, splenitis, and interstitial nephritis were also
observed in the birds. Immunohistochemistry confirmed Sarcocystis
species in the capillaries of lungs, hearts, livers, and spleens of most
of the birds, but also in the pancreas, kidney, intestine,
proventriculus, and brain of a few birds. The probable source of
Sarcocystis species in these birds was the wild opossum (Didelphis
albiventris), a common inhabitant of a local forest that surrounds the
Belo Horizonte Zoo (Fundacao Zoo-Botanica). This is the first
documentation of Sarcocystis infection in psittacine birds and a pigeon
from Brazil. et al. 2008;52:706-710. |
| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |