E. J. Flach

Capillaria hepatica (syn Calodium hepaticum) in primates in a zoological collection in the UK

Capillaria hepatica (syn Calodium hepaticum ), first described by [Bancroft (1893)][1] is a zoonotic liver nematode of mammals with a worldwide distribution. Its primary hosts are rodents, and there is a high prevalence of infection in the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) ([Lloyd and others 2002][2

Retrospective Study of Campylobacter Infection in a Zoological Collection

ABSTRACT Little is known about the epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. in wild animal populations. However, zoological collections can provide valuable insights. Using records from the Zoological Society of London Whipsnade Zoo compiled between 1990 and 2003, the roles of a range of biotic and abiotic factors associated with the occurrence of campylobacteriosis were investigated. The occurrence of campylobacteriosis varied widely across host taxonomic orders. Furthermore, in mammals, a combination of changes in both rainfall and temperature in the week preceding the onset of gastroenteritis were associated with isolation of Campylobacter from feces. In birds, there was a weak negative correlation between mean weekly rainfall and isolation of Campylobacter from feces. Importantly, in birds we found that the mean weekly rainfall 3 to 4 weeks before symptoms of gastroenteritis appeared was the best predictor of Campylobacter infection. Campylobacter-related gastroenteritis cases with mixed concurrent infections were positively associated with the presence of parasites (helminths and protozoans) in mammals, while in birds Campylobacter was associated with other concurrent bacterial infections rather than with the presence of helminths and protozoans. This study suggests that climatic elements are important factors associated with Campylobacter-related gastroenteritis. Further investigations are required to improve our understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology in captive wild animal populations.

PENTASTOMIASIS IN BOSC'S MONITOR LIZARDS (VARANUS EXANTHEMATICUS) CAUSED BY AN UNDESCRIBED SAMBONIA SPECIES

Abstract Two wild-caught Boscs monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) developed clinical signs of pentasomiasis approximately 3 yr after arrival in the United Kingdom. One died of chronic parasitic pneumonia associated with adult pentastomids of an undescribed Sambonia species. Eggs and immature pentastomids were also seen in histologic sections of the lungs and liver. The other animal was treated for pneumonia and for nodular inflammation of the larynx that restricted the diameter of the glottis. Fragments of pentastomid larvae were seen in a laryngeal biopsy, and the animal recovered after treatment with ivermectin and supportive therapy.

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.

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.

Spinal cord injury during recovery from anaesthesia in a giraffe

ANAESTHESIA of giraffes carries particular risks of morbidity and mortality as a result of the physical characteristics of a large, long-legged, long-necked animal with a heavy head; death is reported in approximately one in 10 cases (Benbow and Lyon 2001, Bush and others 2002, Flach and others 2002). Mortality may relate to physical damage or occasionally regurgitation and aspiration (Citino and Bush 2007). This short communication describes an accident during recovery of a giraffe from an otherwise straightforward anaesthetic.nnA 10-year-old reticulated giraffe bull (estimated weight 1000 kg) was anaesthetised for treatment of overgrown and misshapen hooves. Food was withheld for 18 hours and water for 12 hours before the procedure. The giraffe house was prepared by covering the walls with small straw bales, and bedding was allowed to accumulate over several days as deep litter.nnHaloperidol (20 mg) (Serenace; Baker Norton) was administered intramuscularly by remote injection (JM Special Rifle; Dan-Inject). One hour later, 50 mg medetomidine (Zalopine; Orion) was administered intramuscularly by dart, followed by 2000 mg ketamine (ketamine dry; Parke Davis), administered by the same route once sedation had developed. The giraffe became recumbent 10 minutes after the administration of ketamine, and a further dose of 500 mg ketamine was injected intravenously to allow tracheal intubation using manual palpation (25 mm cuffed endotracheal tube). …

Analysis of Biochemical Markers of Bone Metabolism in Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)

Abstract Two human enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and one radioimmunoassay (RIA) were validated and used to measure osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and the cross-linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), in serum from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Sera from four adult females sampled on 7 consecutive days were also analyzed to assess the existence and magnitude of intraindividual day-to-day variability of the serum concentration of these markers. Sample dilution curves were parallel with assay standard curves, which demonstrated that excellent cross reactivity existed between assay antibodies and elephants marker antigens. Statistically significant inverse correlations were found between age and concentrations of all three markers: BAP, r = −0.862 (P < 0.01); OC, r = −0.788 (P < 0.002); and ICTP, r = −0.848 (P < 0.01). Strong positive correlations were found between BAP and OC (r = 0.797, P < 0.01), OC and ICTP (r = 0.860, P < 0.01), and between BAP and ICTP (r = 0.958, P < 0.01). No statistically significant intraindividual variability was found over 7 days in the four adult females for any of the markers assessed (OC: P = 0.089; ICTP: P = 0.642; BAP: P = 0.146; n = 4 in each case). The overall coefficient of variability observed in this group of animals was 10.3%, 7.4%, and 5.5% for OC, BAP, and ICTP, respectively. These results suggest a potential role for biochemical markers of bone turnover in monitoring skeletal health and bone disease in Asian elephants.

Investigation and management of an outbreak of multispecies mycobacteriosis in Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus fosteri) including the use of triple antibiotic treatment

Disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is common in fish. Current recommendations focus on outbreak management by depopulating entire fish stocks and disinfecting tanks. Treatment is not advocated. Treatment may be appropriate, however, where individual, valuable fish are concerned. ZSL London Zoo managed an outbreak of mycobacteriosis in a valuable group of imported F1 captive-bred Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus fosteri) by depopulation, isolation, extensive testing and daily oral antibiotic treatment. Four species of Mycobacterium (M.xa0marinum, M.xa0fortuitum, M.xa0chelonae and M.xa0peregrinum) were involved in this outbreak, each with unique antibiotic sensitivities. Triple therapy with rifampicin, doxycycline and enrofloxacin for 8xa0months was the most effective antibiotic combination, resulting in full disease resolution. No side effects were noted and, more than 18xa0months post-treatment, no recurrence had occurred. This is the first report of mycobacterial disease in lungfish and the first report of a polymycobacterial outbreak in fish involving these four species of Mycobacterium. This report demonstrates the value of extensive isolation and identification. Also, as therapies currently advised in standard texts did not reflect the antibiotic sensitivity of the NTM found in the fish reported here, we recommend that antibiotic treatment should always be based on sensitivity testing.

Secundum atrial septal defect in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

KOMODO dragons ( Varanus komodoensis ), the largest living lizard species, are relatively uncommon in zoological collections worldwide ([Walsh and others 2002][1]). They are found only on a few Indonesian islands in the wild, and are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the

Disease and mortality among great bustards (Otis tarda) at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, 1989 to 1999

Between 1989 and 1999,351 clinical examinations and six postmortem examinations were made on the six great bustards (Otis tarda) maintained at the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. Soft tissue-related traumatic injuries accounted for 35 per cent of all the clinical findings, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 26 per cent, and lameness was one of the main reasons for a veterinary examination. Poor condition accounted for 30 per cent of the clinical findings and was associated with periods of cold wet weather during the winter and spring; the affected birds were isolated and provided with nutritional support. Haemosiderosis and haemochromatosis were observed in four of the five birds from which samples were taken for histopathology.