Correction to: Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Raptors: Recent Findings from New York, 1998-2001.

In the original version of this article, there is a typographical error in the third sentence of the Results and Discussion section. The number of cases in which anticoagulant-facilitated hemorrhage was considered the cause of death was 19 (not 9). This has been corrected with this erratum.

Pathologic findings and liver elements in hibernating bats with white-nose syndrome.

Two groups of vespertilionid bats were collected from affected hibernacula. In group 1 (n, 14; pathology and microbiology), the average body weights of all species were at the lower limit of published ranges. Twelve bats (86%) had mycotic growth in the epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. Geomyces destructans, with its characteristic curved conidia, was observed microscopically, cultured, and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Dermatitis and mural folliculitis was nil to mild. When focally coinfected with Gram-negative bacteria, there was necrosis and pustules. Fat stores were little to abundant in 12 bats (86%) and nil in 2. Thirteen bats (93%) had pulmonary congestion and 7 (50%) had bone marrow granulocytosis. In group 2 (n, 24; liver elements), 3 bats (13%) had potentially toxic lead levels and 1 (4%), potentially toxic arsenic level. There was no evidence of major organ failure or consistent element toxicity.

West Nile virus infection in birds and mosquitoes, New York State, 2000.

West Nile (WN) virus was found throughout New York State in 2000, with the epicenter in New York City and surrounding counties. We tested 3,403 dead birds and 9,954 mosquito pools for WN virus during the transmission season. Sixty-three avian species, representing 30 families and 14 orders, tested positive for WN virus. The highest proportion of dead birds that tested positive for WN virus was in American Crows in the epicenter (67% positive, n=907). Eight mosquito species, representing four genera, were positive for WN virus. The minimum infection rate per 1,000 mosquitoes (MIR) was highest for Culex pipiens in the epicenter: 3.53 for the entire season and 7.49 for the peak week of August 13. Staten Island had the highest MIR (11.42 for Cx. pipiens), which was associated with the highest proportion of dead American Crows that tested positive for WN virus (92%, n=48) and the highest number of human cases (n=10).

Necropsy findings and environmental contaminants in common loons from New York.

Diagnostic and analytical findings are presented for 105 common loons (Gavia immer) found dead or debilitated in New York (USA) from 1972-99. Aspergillosis (23% of cases) and ingestion of lead fishing weights (21%) were the most common pathologies encountered. Stranding on land, shooting, other trauma, gill nets, air sacculitis and peritonitis, and emaciation of uncertain etiology accounted for most of the remaining causes of disease or death. Analysis for total mercury in the liver of 83 loons yielded a geometric mean (gm) of 10.3 mg/kg (wet basis) and range of 0.07 to 371 mg/kg, with emaciated birds generally showing higher levels. Organochlorine contaminant levels in brain were generally low, principally consisting of PCB's (gm = 2.02 mg/kg) and DDE (0.47 mg/kg).

Poisoning of wildlife with anticoagulant rodenticides in New York.

From 1971 through 1997, we documented 51 cases (55 individual animals) of poisoning of non-target wildlife in New York (plus two cases in adjoining states) (USA) with anticoagulant rodenticides--all but two of these cases occurred in the last 8 yrs. Brodifacoum was implicated in 80% of the incidents. Diphacinone was identified in four cases, bromadiolone in three cases (once in combination with brodifacoum), and chlorophacinone and coumatetralyl were detected once each in the company of brodifacoum. Warfarin accounted for the three cases documented prior to 1989, and one case involving a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in 1995. Secondary intoxication of raptors, principally great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), comprised one-half of the cases. Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were the most frequently poisoned mammals. All of the deer originated from a rather unique situation on a barrier island off southern Long Island (New York). Restrictions on the use of brodifacoum appear warranted.

Yersinia enterocolitica and related species isolated from wildlife in New York State.

Fecal specimens for Yersinia screening were obtained from a variety of wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates throughout New York State. One specimen from each of 1,426 animals was examined. A total of 148 isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species were obtained from 133 (9.3%) of the animals. Y. enterocolitica was isolated from 100 (7%) of the animals tested, including 81 (10%) of 812 mammals and 19 (3.3%) of 573 birds. Y. intermedia, Y. frederiksenii, and Y. kristensenii were isolated from 39 (2.7%), 5 (0.35%), and 4 (0.28%) animals, respectively. The 81 Y. enterocolitica isolates from mammals belonged to 15 serogroups and included three pathogens: two isolates of typical serogroup 0:8, the "American strain," one from a gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and one from a porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum); and one isolate of serogroup 0:3, bacteriophage type IXb, the "Canadian strain," from a gray fox. The most prevalent serogroups recovered from mammals were 0:6,31 (16 isolates) and 0:5,27 (6 isolates). The 19 isolates of Y. enterocolitica from birds belonged to nine serogroups and included one serogroup 0:6,31 isolate from a common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) and two serogroup 0:5,27 isolates from great horned owls (Bubo virginianus).

An outbreak of botulism in waterfowl and fly larvae in New York State.

In October 1982 the death of approximately 1,500 wild ducks, mostly mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and about 100 shore birds including greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) was observed in the New York State Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. The lack of gross pathology, the signs exhibited by the moribund ducks, and the ecologic conditions indicated possible botulinal intoxication. Clostridium botulinum toxin type C was demonstrated in duck serum (approximately 5 X 10(4) mouse intraperitoneal LD50 of toxin per ml of serum) and in an extract from fly larvae (Lucilia spp.) taken from the same area (approximately 1 X 10(6) mouse intraperitoneal LD50 of toxin per gram of larvae).

Dermatophilus congolensis infections in wildlife in New York State.

Dermatophilus congolensis infection is described for the first time in a woodchuck (Marmota monax) and a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). This actinomycete was also recovered from a raccoon (Procyon lotor) carcass which had been frozen for a year. Encrusted lesions or denuded patches or both were seen during necropsy on the head, thorax, abdomen, and legs of each carcass. D. congolensis was demonstrated in strained smears or paraffin sections or both from the three animals and was recovered from lesions induced in a rabbit's ear by inoculation with infected raccoon tissue. This expands to 59 the number of cases of dermatophilosis found in wildlife and domestic animals in New York State and vicinity.

Association of Malassezia (Pityrosporum) pachydermatis with sarcoptic mange in New York State.

Malassezia (Pityrosporum) pachydermatis consistently accompanied sarcoptic mange in all red foxes (Vulpes fulva), porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), and coyotes (Canis latrans) examined. This yeastlike microorganism has not heretofore been reported on any of these hosts. Its presence on the exoskeleton of Sarcoptes scabiei taken from these animals suggests a carrier role for the mite. The yeast may be saprophytic or a secondary pathogen.

Pityrosporum pachydermatis in a black bear (Ursus americanus).

Pityrosporum pachydermatis was repeatedly isolated from portions of alopecic tissue from the throax and ears of a black bear cub (Ursus americanus). Yeastlike cells morphologically identical with those of P. pachydermatis were observed in stained tissue sections. This is the first reported association of this yeast with a member of the family Ursidae.

Dermatophilus dermatitis enzootic in deer in New York State and vicinity.

In a recent 2-year period Dermatophilus congolensis infection, ranging from mild to very severe, was found in 15 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) taken in southeastern New York State (12) adjacent New Jersey (2) and central Vermont (1). The host range for Dermatophilus congolensis is given.