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An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in an aviary collection of Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobaria) : clinical communication
Author(s) -
R.D. Last,
H.L. Shivaprasa
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the south african veterinary association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2224-9435
pISSN - 1019-9128
DOI - 10.4102/jsava.v79i3.263
Subject(s) - toxoplasmosis , outbreak , cats , pathology , spleen , toxoplasma gondii , immunohistochemistry , biology , medicine , antibody , immunology
Three out of 10 Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobaria ) in an aviary collection in South Africa were found dead with no presenting clinical symptoms. Histological examination of formalin-fixed tissues from all these birds revealed necrotic foci in various visceral organs (liver, spleen, heart, kidney and lungs), plus diffuse pulmonary congestion and oedema with vasculitis. Numerous protozoal tachyzoites were present in all organs and there was strong positive immunohistochemical (IHC) labelling of these organisms for Toxoplasma gondii. Pathology was consistent with acute systemic toxoplasmosis as a consequence of oocyst ingestion. Feral cats were known to be a problem at the facility. Clinical toxoplasmosis is rarely reported in pigeons and this is believed to be the 1st report of toxoplasmosis in Nicobar pigeons

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