Acute pulmonary Sarcocystis falcatula-like infection in three Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria) housed indoors

摘要

Three free-roaming Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria) housed in a completely enclosed tropical exhibit were found dead without antemortem signs (if illness. The birds died within 9 days of each other. Gross necropsy revealed moderate pulmonary edema in all three birds. Histopathologic examination revealed pulmonary edema and pulmonary protozoal merozoites compatible with Sarcocystis spp., Toxolylasma gondii. or Neospora spp. infection. Immunohistochemical staining for T gondii and Neospora spp. were negative. Immunohistochemical staining identified a Sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite in all three birds. It is Suspected that new exhibit soil contaminated with feces from the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was the source of the infective sporocysts.