AIR SAC TREMATODES (CYCLOCOELIDAE STOSSICH, 1902) INFECTING BIRDS IN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

Air sac trematodes (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) were detected in 23 avian species from eight aviaries in the United States. Most of the infected host species were passeriform birds, but a few species in other orders also were infected. Four species of adult flukes were encountered: , sp.

Amphiorchis stacyi n. sp. (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in the heart of a green turtle from Florida, USA and the literature review of Amphiorchis (Price, 1934).

The present paper reports the occurrence of the seventh species in the genus Amphiorchis (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) collected from the heart of a green turtle found in Florida, USA. A taxonomic key to the species of Amphiorchis and a literature review for the genus are presented.

COCCIDIAL INFECTION OF THE ADRENAL GLANDS OF LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA).

Histologic lesions incidental to the cause of death were observed in the adrenal glands of 17 subadult and adult leatherback sea turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ) found dead or moribund on or near shore in North America. Round bodies, 250-300 μm in diameter composed of an outer capsule and large multinucleated cells surrounding a central mass of acellular material were distributed throughout the affected glands. Protozoal etiology was suspected based on some resemblance to coccidia; however, features diagnostic for coccidial infection were lacking in all but one case, which had a focal area of adrenalitis containing zoites.

Ticks associated with domestic dogs and cats in Florida, USA.

Voluntary collections of ticks from domestic dogs and cats by veterinary practitioners across Florida, USA, were conducted over a 10 month period. Of the 1337 ticks submitted, five species of ixodid ticks were identified and included Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis.

The influence of changing prey availability on the prevalence of Diphyllobothrium in river otters from Yellowstone National Park.

Parasite prevalence in predatory mammals is influenced by numerous factors including diet, sex, season, and habitat. We examined the effect of such factors on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in North American river otters ( Lontra canadensis ) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Otters in this ecosystem have recently experienced a decline in their main prey, Yellowstone cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), and have, in turn, increased consumption of alternative foods.

Fatal metacestode infection in Bornean orangutan caused by unknown Versteria species.

A captive juvenile Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) died from an unknown disseminated parasitic infection. Deep sequencing of DNA from infected tissues, followed by gene-specific PCR and sequencing, revealed a divergent species within the newly proposed genus Versteria (Cestoda: Taeniidae). Versteria may represent a previously unrecognized risk to primate health.

Diagnostic stages of the parasites of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris.

Limited information is available on diagnostic stages of parasites in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). We examined 67 fecal samples from captive and wild manatees to define the diagnostic stages of the parasite fauna known to occur in Florida manatees. Parasite eggs were freshly extracted ex utero from identified mature helminths and subsequently characterized, illustrated, and matched to those isolated from fecal samples.

Enteropathogens identified in dogs entering a Florida animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea.

Objective: To determine the frequency of enteropathogens in dogs entering an animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Animals: 100 dogs evaluated at an open-admission municipal animal shelter in Florida.

Enteropathogens identified in cats entering a Florida animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea.

Objective: To determine the frequency of enteropathogens in cats entering an animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Animals: 100 cats evaluated at an open-admission municipal animal shelter in Florida.

Hematozoa and a new haemoproteid species from Cathartidae (New World vulture) in South Carolina.

A survey of turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) in South Carolina revealed the presence of a novel haemoproteid. Haemoproteus catharti n. sp.

Mite-filled cyst on a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) in Florida, USA.

A large, partly pedunculated mass on the scapular area of a wild-caught captive Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) consisted of a multiloculated keratin cyst inhabited by a new species of harpirhynchid mite (Harpirhynchus quasimodo). The mass did not interfere with flight or behavior. This is the first record of such an infestation of cowbirds in Florida.

Cutaneous periocular Habronema infection in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 6-year-old castrated dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) presented with a non-healing, severely pruritic, ulcerative fibrotic plaque located at the medial canthus. Histological examination of surgical biopsies identified degenerating nematode larvae within eosinophilic granulomas. Treatment involved repeated debridement of the lesion, injectable ivermectin and anti-inflammatory therapies, and injectable and topical antibiotics.

Association of Wolbachia with heartworm disease in cats and dogs.

Although the presence of adult Dirofilaria immitis in the pulmonary arteries and its associated arteritis and thromboembolic disease can explain some of the manifestations of canine and feline heartworm disease, the cause of other findings remains unclear. Cats with D. immitis antibodies but lacking adult parasites in the pulmonary arteries frequently develop histological lesions of the airways, resulting in a condition termed Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease.

Toxocara vitulorum in beef calves in North Central Florida.

In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum in beef calves in North Central Florida. Fecal samples from 433 calves under 9 months of age were analyzed for the presence of eggs in their feces. The prevalence in calves less than 3 months of age was 17.

Blood parasites in birds from Madagascar.

Madagascar has long been recognized for its unique and diverse biota. In particular, significant effort has been made to establish baseline population data to better conserve the endemic avifauna. During field expeditions between 1993 and 2004, birds were mist-netted at 11 different sites, at elevations from 60 m to 2,050 m above sea level.

Renal infection by a new coccidian genus in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).

A novel coccidian parasite from the kidney of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) is described. This coccidian (Nephroisospora eptesici nov. gen.

Education of global veterinarians.

In 2003, the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) created an Office of International Programs (OIP) in response to one of ten initiatives of the UF Strategic Plan: internationalization of the curriculum. The OIP has developed coursework that provides students with an opportunity for international exposure during the veterinary curriculum at three levels. In Level 1 (on campus) students can participate in a seminar series in global health: www.

Echinococcus oligarthrus cystic hydatidosis in Brazilian agouti (Dasyprocta leporina).

Echinococcus oligarthrus hydatid cyst disease was diagnosed in two imported wild-caught Brazilian agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The cysts were found incidentally during routine examinations and never appeared to cause any apparent clinical signs. Identification of the cysts was confirmed via histopathology.

Hyperplastic dermatitis associated with acariasis in a siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus).

A 36-yr-old male captive siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) was evaluated for mange in the form of generalized alopecia, flaky skin, and pruritus of 1 mo duration. Multiple skin scrapings and biopsies revealed high numbers of trombidiiform mites identified as Psorobia (formerly Psorergates) sp. near cercopitheci (Acarina: Psorergatidae) based on morphologic characteristics.

Morphology of Enterobius (Colobenterobius) colobis Vuylstéke, 1964 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae: Enterobiinae) collected from an ashy red colobus, Procolobus rufomitratus tephrosceles (Elliot, 1907) (Primates: Cercopithecidae: Colobinae), in Uganda.

Enterobius (Colobenterobius) colobis Vuylstéke, 1964 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) is redescribed based on males and females collected from an ashy red colobus, Procolobus rufomitratus tephrosceles (Elliot, 1907) (Primates: Cercopithecidae: Colobinae), in Uganda. Two morphotypes are recognized among females, which are readily distinguished by tail length, termination level of lateral alae, and egg size. The relative position of cellular wall greatly varied in the ovijector, indicating its limited systematic value.

Coprologic evidence of gastrointestinal helminths of forest baboons, Papio anubis, in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

The gastrointestinal parasites of baboons have been well characterized from savannah and desert habitats, but little is known about their gastrointestinal parasites in forest habitats. From May to June 2004, we collected 41 fecal samples from free-ranging olive baboons (Papio anubis) within the forested Kibale National Park, Uganda. Samples were examined to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in this forest dwelling population of olive baboons.

A blood survey of elements, viral antibodies, and hemoparasites in wintering Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica).

Twenty-eight Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and 26 Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) were captured in Prince William Sound, Alaska, between 1 and 15 March 2005. Blood was collected for quantification of element concentrations, prevalence of antibodies to several viruses, and hemoparasite prevalence and identification. Although we found selenium concentrations that have been associated with selenosis in some birds (>or=2.

Sticktight flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea) infestation in a Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria).

A 12-yr-old female Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria), acquired from a private aviculturalist, was diagnosed with a flea infestation during a quarantine examination. The fleas were embedded around the face and throat and were identified as sticktight fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea). Despite the sticktight fleas' worldwide distribution and broad host range, there is a paucity of reports on flea infestations and their treatment in zoo and exotic pet birds.