Evidence of an Oxyspirura petrowi epizootic in northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), Texas, USA.

We captured 36 Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Mitchell County, Texas in June-September 2013, and examined them for the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi. We recovered 334 eyeworms from 28 of 29 adult bobwhites (97%); infections ranged from 1-40 worms and mean (± SD) abundance of 11.9 ± 13.0. Three of seven juveniles were infected, and those infected had one eyeworm each. Prevalence of eyeworms was similar among months. However, mean abundance of eyeworms peaked in July and August (3.3 ± 2.1, 13.5 ± 15.0, and 16.9 ± 15.5), and decreased in September (6.3 ± 3.0). We suggest that several previous studies may underreport prevalence and abundance because in those studies only the eye surface and nictitating membrane were examined, and not eye-associated tissue, ducts, glands, or sinuses.

Absence of Mycobacterium bovis in feral swine (Sus scrofa) from the southern Texas border region.

Free-ranging wildlife, such as feral swine (Sus scrofa), harbor a variety of diseases that are transmissible to livestock and could negatively impact agricultural production. Information is needed regarding the exposure and infection rates of Mycobacterium bovis and many other diseases and parasites in feral swine occurring in the Texas border region. Our main objective was to determine exposure rates and possible infection rates of M. bovis in feral swine by opportunistically sampling animals from the Texas border region. From June to September 2010, we obtained samples from 396 feral swine and tested 98 samples for M. bovis by histopathology and mycobacteriologic culture. We found no evidence of M. bovis infection. We believe that it is important to periodically and strategically sample feral swine for M. bovis in high-risk areas of the United States because they are capable of becoming reservoirs of the disease.