Molecular characterisation of a disseminated Cryptosporidium infection in a Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of hosts, yet relatively little is known about the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in fish. Here we report a disseminated Cryptosporidium infection in a male Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), with parasite stages identified deep within the epithelium of the intestine, kidneys, spleen, liver and gills causing severe granulomatous inflammatory lesions. Molecular characterization at two loci; 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and actin, revealed this to be a novel Cryptosporidium genotype, most closely related to Cryptosporidium molnari.

Marek's disease virus associated ocular lymphoma in Roulroul partridges (Rollulus rouloul).

Two 1-year old Roulroul partridges (Rollulus rouloul), one male and one female, were presented because of eye problems and anorexia. Twenty of the 30 Roulroul partridges in the owner's collection had already died. The affected birds stopped eating, became thinner, and eventually died. Antibiotic treatment, which started because of the suspicion of a septicaemic process, was unsuccessful. At clinical examination of the two partridges it was found that in both birds, one eye ball was filled with a whitish yellow amorphous material and the other eye ball of the female showed a distinct corneal opacity. Both presented birds were euthanized. Necropsy revealed no significant abnormalities in addition to the eye lesions. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the female's eye revealed an infiltrate of T-lymphocytes corresponding to ocular lymphoma. Herpesvirus genus-specific PCR, followed by Sanger sequencing confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of Marek's disease in both birds. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of infection with Gallid Herpesvirus 2 (Marek's disease virus) in partridges and the first case in this specific species.

Filarial tenosynovitis caused by Pelecitus species (Spirurida, Filarioidea, Onchocercidae) in the legs of a channel-billed toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus).

An adult channel-billed toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus), imported from Surinam, South America, 18 months earlier, was found dead in its cage. At necropsy, the hock joints were swollen bilaterally and had a reduced range of motion. Small curled worms were present in subcutaneous tissue around the joints, with edema and fibrin formation. These worms were classified as the filarioid nematode, Pelecitus species. Blood-borne microfilariae were seen in cytologic impression smears of the lung and the leg lesions.

Multiple papillomas in a diamond python, Morelia spilota spilota.

A 4-yr-old male diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota) was evaluated for multiple black papillated exophytic skin proliferations and signs of pneumonia. The histopathologic structure of the skin biopsy specimens led to the diagnosis of a benign papilloma-like neoplasia. In this case, papillomavirus DNA could be amplified from a biopsy sample with a broad range polymerase chain reaction. Nested pan-herpes polymerase chain reaction was negative, and herpesvirus inclusion bodies were not found. Because of the histologically benign nature of the papilloma, the skin proliferations were left untreated. Ten mo after the first presentation, the skin lesions had regressed almost completely; 34 mo later, only scars from the biopsies were left.

Whole-genome characterization of a novel polyomavirus detected in fatally diseased canary birds.

Polyomaviruses of birds are aetiological agents of acute inflammatory diseases in non-immunocompromised hosts, which is in contrast to mammalian polyomaviruses. VP4, an additional structural protein encoded by the viral genomes of the known avian polyomaviruses, has been suggested to contribute to pathogenicity through loss of cells following induction of apoptosis. Four distinct bird polyomaviruses have been identified so far, which infect crows, finches, geese and parrots. Using broad-spectrum PCR, a novel polyomavirus, tentatively designated canary polyomavirus (CaPyV), was detected in diseased canary birds (Serinus canaria) that died at an age of about 40 days. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in the liver, spleen and kidneys. The entire viral genome was amplified from a tissue sample using rolling-circle amplification. Phylogenetic analysis of the genome sequence indicated a close relationship between CaPyV and other avian polyomaviruses. Remarkably, an ORF encoding VP4 could not be identified in the CaPyV genome. Therefore, the mechanism of pathogenicity of CaPyV may be different from that of the other avian polyomaviruses.

Pathology of aging psittacines.

Aging processes leading to specific organ problems are not obvious in aging psittacines. In general, birds live long and age slowly despite their high metabolic rates and very high total lifetime energy expenditures. Most pathologic processes seen in older parrots are generally not specific for aging because they are seen in young birds as well. Pathologic processes that have a tendency to occur more in older psittacines are atherosclerosis and repeated injury processes, such as chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, liver fibrosis, and lens cataracts. Also, some neoplasms are more often seen at an older age.

Mortality due to polyomavirus infection in two nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus).

Two nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus) from a bird park in the Netherlands died suddenly, with no clinical signs, within 1 month of each other. The main pathologic findings at necropsy were splenomegaly and hepatic necrosis. On histologic examination, intranuclear viral inclusion bodies consistent with avian polyomavirus were observed in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Polymerase chain reaction testing of samples from the liver, spleen, and kidneys detected avian polyomaviral DNA, and sequence analysis showed that the virus had a sequence homology of 99% to psittacine avian polyomavirus strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of avian polyomavirus infection in the order Caprimulgiformes. Lovebirds (Agapornis species), which were housed near the nightjars, were considered as the possible source of infection.

Reovirus infections associated with high mortality in psittaciformes in The Netherlands.

In The Netherlands between January 2002 and December 2004, numerous psittaciformes died showing severe splenomegaly and hepatomegaly with multifocal acute necrosis. At the start of the outbreaks mostly parakeets were affected, but later larger parrots were also involved. Seventy-eight birds showed the same features and six were examined completely, including a virological examination. Tests for polyomavirus, Pacheco's disease (herpesvirus) and circovirus psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) viruses and Chlamydophila psittaci were carried out. All results were negative, except for two cases of circovirus infection. Many concurrent bacterial and parasitic infections were seen. Immunohistochemistry revealed reovirus antigen in intralesional mononuclear cells, and reovirus-like particles could be observed by negative contrast electron microscopy. A reovirus was grown and the isolates reacted with polyclonal reovirus antiserum but did not react with monoclonal antibodies against chicken reovirus. The virus was therefore considered a psittacine reovirus. Because reoviruses were seen consistently, they seemed to be the most probable cause of the outbreaks. Climate, the introduction of new birds and the transportation of birds might be other factors involved in the disease seen in The Netherlands. No regional influence could be seen; therefore, we suggested that the virus might be widespread and carriers could be a source of re-introduction.

Hydrometra in a ferret-case report.

A desexed female ferret was presented with bilateral alopecic changes. Clinical examination revealed generalized alopecia and abdominal distension. A polycystic mass was found behind the right kidney, and the whole abdomen was filled with a large turgid mass. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a hydrometra. Hematology and serum biochemistry showed regenerative anemia with light azotemia. Laparotomy showed the presence of a neoplastic mass at the location of the right ovary, a massive enlargement of the uterus filled with a clear fluid, and a subcapsular cyst on the left kidney. After surgery, histopathologic examination of the tissues diagnosed a leiomyoma of the right ovary with hyperplasia of the uterine wall.