Elizabeth Chang Reissig

Pulmonary aspergillosis in a great rhea (Rhea americana)

SUMMARY. A 5-mo-old great rhea (Rhea americana) gradually became emaciated over a 1-wk period and died. Necropsy revealed several small yellow nodules in the lungs. Microscopically, the nodules consisted of granulomas containing numerous thin, 4-µm-diameter, septate, branching fungal hyphae. Aspergillus fumigatus grew readily on Sabouraud dextrose agar. This report appears to be the first of mycotic pneumonia in great rheas.

Gizzard Impaction in Lesser Rhea Chicks (Pterocnemia pennata ) Raised on Farms in Patagonia, Argentina

Impaction of the gizzard was diagnosed in 33 1-to-4-wk-old lesser rhea (Pterocnemia pennata) raised on farms in Patagonia, Argentina. The birds showed anorexia, lethargy, constipation, dehydration, weight loss, and weakness. Necropsy revealed gizzard impaction by fibrous material, sand, rocks, and rubbish. Also, excess fibrous material was observed in the small intestine, and intussusception was found in one chick. Impaction of the gizzard observed in the present study was similar to that reported in other ratite species and confirmed that this disease can affect lesser rhea chicks raised in captivity. This disease affected 33 out of 41 (80%) dead lesser rhea chicks submitted to the Animal Health Unit of The National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Bariloche, Argentina, during the study period, so it can be a significant cause of mortality in farmed rheas in Argentina.

HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM CHEMISTRY VALUES OF THE LESSER RHEA (PTEROCNEMIA PENNATA) RAISED IN PATAGONIAN FARMS (ARGENTINA)

Abstract Hematologic and serum chemistry values were determined for chicks, juveniles, and adult farmed lesser rheas (Pterocnemia pennata). Blood samples were taken during March–April 1998 from the brachial veins of lesser rhea, including 64 chicks, 24 juveniles, and 36 adults, raised in Patagonian farms (Argentina). Lesser rhea chicks had significantly lower erythrocyte counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, red cell indices, and copper than did the juveniles and adult individuals. No significant differences were observed between females and males. Most values were similar to those reported for other ratites. The data obtained provide hematologic and serum chemistry values for lesser rhea from farms.

A SURVEY OF PARASITE LESIONS IN WILD RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS) FROM ARGENTINA

Abstract In Argentina there is little information about diseases that affect exotic ungulates and the health risks that they pose to native wildlife, livestock, and humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health status of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Nahuel Huapi National Park and surrounding areas in Patagonia, Argentina. During three consecutive hunting seasons, necropsies were performed on 101 red deer, and tissues were examined histologically. The most common lesions were those associated with hepatic and pulmonary parasites. Fasciola hepatica was observed in 15 red deer and was associated with cholangiohepatitis (8%) and/or cholangitis (10%). Dictyocaulus sp. (likely Dictyocaulus eckerti) was associated with interstitial pneumonia (5%), bronchitis (5%), pulmonary emphysema (13%), and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue hyperplasia (13%). Other findings included Sarcocystis spp. cysts in the myocardium (89%) associated with interstitial, focal, lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis (8%); periportal lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis (8%); hepatic centrilobular necrosis (6%); lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis (25%); and follicular hyperplasia in mediastinal, prescapular, and prefemoral lymph nodes (86%). Our report of lesions caused by endemic parasites of livestock in free-ranging exotic red deer in Patagonia sets the foundation for a health-monitoring and -surveillance system of wildlife in this region, which is essential for the sustainable management of threatened Argentinean native fauna.

Extranodal follicular lymphoma in the lung of a free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus)

A hunted free-ranging female red deer (Cervus elaphus) from a region near the Nahuel Huapi National Park, Northern Patagonia, Argentina, had a focally extensive peribronchial lymphoid proliferative lesion in the lung characterized by formation of multiple follicles, with prominent germinal centers lacking mantle zone cells and antigen-related polarity. On examination of immunohistochemically stained tissues, a predominance of B cells (cluster of differentiation [CD]20 positive) with only a few scattered T cells (CD3 positive) were present. The histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics are consistent with follicular lymphoma, which is frequently seen in human beings and less frequently in domestic animals.