Molecular identification of Sarcocystis wobeseri-like parasites in a new intermediate host species, the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla).

A reintroduced white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in moderate body condition was found dead and submitted for post-mortem examination. There were no signs of disease on gross pathological examination. Histopathological examination however revealed the presence of encysted protozoan parasites in pectoral and cardiac muscle sections. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of extracted genomic DNA and sequencing of four regions: the 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, and RNA polymerase B (rpoB) loci, confirmed the presence of a Sarcocystis species in pectoral and cardiac muscle which appeared phylogenetically similar to Sarcocystis wobeseri. This is the first report of S. wobeseri-like infection in a white-tailed sea eagle revealing a new intermediate host species for this parasite.

Chlamydiosis in British Garden Birds (2005-2011): retrospective diagnosis and Chlamydia psittaci genotype determination.

The significance of chlamydiosis as a cause of mortality in wild passerines (Order Passeriformes), and the role of these birds as a potential source of zoonotic Chlamydia psittaci infection, is unknown. We reviewed wild bird mortality incidents (2005-2011). Where species composition or post-mortem findings were indicative of chlamydiosis, we examined archived tissues for C. psittaci infection using PCR and ArrayTube Microarray assays. Twenty-one of 40 birds tested positive: 8 dunnocks (Prunella modularis), 7 great tits (Parus major), 3 blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), 2 collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto, Order Columbiformes), and 1 robin (Erithacus rubecula). Chlamydia psittaci genotype A was identified in all positive passerines and in a further three dunnocks and three robins diagnosed with chlamydiosis from a previous study. Two collared doves had genotype E. Ten of the 21 C. psittaci-positive birds identified in the current study had histological lesions consistent with chlamydiosis and co-localizing Chlamydia spp. antigens on immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that chlamydiosis may be a more common disease of British passerines than was previously recognized. Wild passerines may be a source of C. psittaci zoonotic infection, and people should be advised to take appropriate hygiene precautions when handling bird feeders or wild birds.

Fatal arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in 2 related subadult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Cardiovascular disease is increasingly recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). This report records 2 cases of sudden cardiac death in closely related subadult captive chimpanzees with marked replacement fibrosis and adipocyte infiltration of the myocardium, which resemble specific atypical forms of the familial human disease arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Changes were consistent with left-dominant and biventricular subtypes, which are both phenotypic variants found within human families with familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Previously reported fibrosing cardiomyopathies in chimpanzees were characterized by nonspecific interstitial fibrosis, in contrast to the replacement fibrofatty infiltration with predilection for the outer myocardium seen in these 2 cases. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first to describe cardiomyopathy resembling arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in nonhuman primates and the first to describe left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy-type lesions in an animal.

Long-term health effects of harness-mounted radio transmitters in red kites (Milvus milvus) in England.

In 1989, the Nature Conservancy Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds commenced reintroduction of the red kite (Milvus milvus) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Following 22 years of intensive effort, the red kite reintroduction programme has been a success with an estimated 1000 pairs now breeding in England. Post-release health surveillance is ongoing and has been achieved through radio-tracking, monitoring breeding at nest sites and pathological examinations of any red kites found dead. Tail-mounted radio transmitters were fitted from 1989 with harness-mounted radio transmitters being preferentially used since 2000. Since 2000, 180 individuals have been recovered for postmortem examination. Eighteen of these birds had previously had a harness-mounted radio transmitter fitted and four of these (22 per cent) had moderate to severe lesions associated with the presence of the harness and radio transmitter including chronic necrogranulomatous inflammation, deep muscular exposure and distorted muscular conformation. Failure to breed was also reported in two of these individuals over the preceding year(s), although it is not known whether the presence of the harness contributed to this failure. Duration of deployment may have been a significant factor in the formation of these lesions as those with lesions (n=4) had a statistically significant (P=0.009) longer duration of deployment compared to those without lesions (n=14). No lesions were reported in those red kites fitted with tail-transmitters.

Isosporoid coccidiosis in translocated cirl buntings (Emberiza cirlus).

Four of 17 cirl buntings (Emberiza cirlus) involved in a trial translocation in 2004 for conservation purposes died and were examined postmortem. Two of the cirl buntings showed intestinal and hepatic lesions, including necrotising enteritis, consistent with isosporoid coccidiosis, and a third had an intestinal infestation of isosporoid coccidia. Sporulated oocysts from faecal samples from the birds were identified as Isospora normanlevinei, a parasite previously detected in cirl bunting populations in continental Europe. In a subsequent translocation of 75 cirl buntings from Devon to Cornwall in 2006, each brood of birds was placed in strict quarantine at low stocking density, with improved hygienic precautions and detailed health surveillance, and each bird was treated prophylactically with toltrazuril in an attempt to control the disease but not eliminate the I normanlevinei parasites. Seventy-two of the 75 birds were successfully reared and released, and there were no apparent clinical or pathological signs of isosporoid coccidiosis in any bird. I normanlevinei was detected in the released population, an indication that it had been successfully conserved.

Brain tumours in two Bactrian camels: a histiocytic sarcoma and a meningioma.

Primary brain tumours were identified in two Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) living at the Zoological Society of London's two zoos. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to diagnose a histiocytic sarcoma in a 16-year-old female and a fibroblastic meningioma in a 13-year-old male. Before one died and the other was euthanased both camels had shown progressive neurological signs, including circling and ataxia.

Acute and chronic gas bubble lesions in cetaceans stranded in the United Kingdom.

The first evidence suggestive of in vivo gas bubble formation in cetacea, including eight animals stranded in the UK, has recently been reported. This article presents the pathologic findings from these eight UK-stranded cetaceans and two additional UK-stranded cetacean cases in detail. Hepatic gas-filled cavitary lesions (0.2-6.0 cm diameter) involving approximately 5-90% of the liver volume were found in four (two juvenile, two adult) Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), three (two adult, one juvenile) common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), an adult Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), and an adult harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Histopathologic examination of the seven dolphin cases with gross liver cavities revealed variable degrees of pericavitary fibrosis, microscopic, intrahepatic, spherical, nonstaining cavities (typically 50-750 microm in diameter) consistent with gas emboli within distended portal vessels and sinusoids and associated with hepatic tissue compression, hemorrhages, fibrin/organizing thrombi, and foci of acute hepato-cellular necrosis. Two common dolphins also had multiple and bilateral gross renal cavities (2.0-9.0 mm diameter) that, microscopically, were consistent with acute (n = 2) and chronic (n = 1) arterial gas emboli-induced renal infarcts. Microscopic, bubblelike cavities were also found in mesenteric lymph node (n = 4), adrenal (n = 2), spleen (n = 2), pulmonary associated lymph node (n = 1), posterior cervical lymph node (n = 1), and thyroid (n = 1). No bacterial organisms were isolated from five of six cavitated livers and one of one cavitated kidneys. The etiology and pathogenesis of these lesions are not known, although a decompression-related mechanism involving embolism of intestinal gas or de novo gas bubble (emboli) development derived from tissues supersaturated with nitrogen is suspected.

Ulcerative otitis externa responsive to immunosuppressive therapy in two dogs.

Two middle-aged dogs were presented with bilateral severe ulcerative otitis externa without previous history of disease or evidence of other skin disease. Based on the exclusion of microbial infection and other primary causes, histopathological findings and response to immunomodulatory treatment, a diagnosis of presumed immune-mediated ulcerative otitis externa was made in both cases. However, the two cases differed with regard to their histopathological characteristics and the course of the disease. This report indicates that primary ulcerative disease needs to be considered in cases of ulcerative otitis externa which are unresponsive to appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Pseudomycetoma caused by Microsporum canis in a Persian cat: lack of response to oral terbinafine.

An eight-year-old neutered female Persian cat with a four-year history of relapsing skin disease, characterised by ulcerated nodules with a yellow granular discharge, was examined. A diagnosis of granulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis (pseudomycetoma) caused by Microsporum canis was made on the basis of history, clinical signs, histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens and culture of macerated tissue. Because previous therapy, comprising repeated surgical excision and the administration of griseofulvin and itraconazole, had not been successful, terbinafine was administered for an eight-month period. However, lesions progressed despite this treatment and the cat was euthanased.

Unilateral proptosis and orbital cellulitis in eight African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

Eight African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) were presented with unilateral proptosis. Six animals presented specifically for an ocular problem, whereas two had concurrent neurologic disease. Enucleation and light microscopic examination of tissues was performed in five animals, and euthanasia followed by complete postmortem examination was performed in three animals. Histopathologic findings in all hedgehogs included orbital cellulitis, panophthalmitis, and corneal ulceration, with perforation in seven of eight eyes. The etiology of the orbital cellulitis was not determined, but it appeared to precede proptosis. Orbits in hedgehogs are shallow and the palpebral fissures are large, which may predispose them to proptosis, similar to brachycephalic dogs. This clinical presentation was seen in 15% (8/54) of African hedgehogs presented to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine over a 2-yr period from January 1995 to December 1996 and warrants further investigation.

Conjunctival mycobacteriosis in two emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

Avian tuberculosis was diagnosed in two young adult female commercial emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) with granulomatous conjunctivitis. Histologically, the granulomas appeared typical of avian tuberculosis. Caseonecrotic cores were surrounded by a broad ring of palisading epithelioid macrophages and multinucleate giant cells with a moderate admixture of heterophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. One conjunctival granuloma had multifocal mineralization. At necropsy, granulomas were also found in visceral organs of both birds. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in all lesions using Ziehl-Neelsen or Fite's stains. Culture confirmed the bacilli to be Mycobacterium avium (complex).