Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in Magpie Geese (Anseranas semipalmata) with Large Numbers of Tissue Cysts in Livers

Abstract

Fatal disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection was diagnosed in 2 captive magpie geese (Anseranas semipalmata) from a zoo in Texas. Both geese died suddenly, without apparent clinical signs. Lesions associated with T. gondii tachyzoites were seen in lungs, pancreas, liver, adrenals, bursa of Fabricius, spleen, brain, and kidneys. Toxoplasmic pneumonia and hepatitis were considered to be the primary cause of death. An unusual feature was the presence of numerous tissue cysts in hepatocytes of both geese. The diagnosis was confirmed immunohistochemically. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 2 of 11 other geese from the zoo examined using the modified agglutination test. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in magpie geese (Anseranas semipalmata).

Fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in Valley quail (Callipepla californica)

“…Fatal clinical toxoplasmosis is an important disease for Columbiformes and Passeriformes (Work et al., 2000; Williams et al., 2001; Dubey, 2002). The systemic and fatal manifestation of the disease has also been described in Psittaciformes (Howerth et al., 1991; Hartley et al., 2008; Ferreira et al., 2012), Anseriformes (Dubey et al., 2001), Falconiformes (Szabo et al., 2004), Strigiformes (Mikaelian et al., 1997), Sphenisciformes (Mason et al., 1991; Ploeg et al., 2011), Piciformes (Gerhold and Yabsley, 2007; Jokelainen and Vikoren, 2014) and Suliformes (Work et al., 2002). …”

Extensive production of Neospora caninum tissue cysts in a carnivorous marsupial succumbing to experimental neosporosis

“…The pancreas, adrenal gland or the urinary bladder have not been reported as sites of N. caninum infection in any host studied previously [4,8]. In an Australian context, the presence of large numbers of N. caninum cysts in dunnarts resembles findings of unusual cases of disseminated toxoplasmosis in magpie geese, which was dominated by Toxoplasma gondii cysts in liver and lesions in adrenal gland and pancreas associated with the parasite [26]. The myocardial changes detected in dunnarts are similar to those reported in toxoplasmosis in koalas [27].…”

Toxoplasmosis in Captive Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

“…At APDL, paraffin embedded tissue sections were reacted with antibodies to T. gondii and Neospora caninum polyclonal rabbit antibodies as described (Lindsay and Dubey, 1989; Dubey et al, 2001). …”