Dispharynx nasuta (Nematoda:Acuariidae) infection causing proventricular lesions and death in three captive rosellas (Psittaciformes:Psittacidae)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2011 Mar;42(1):164-5. doi: 10.1638/2010-0143.1.

Abstract

Two adult male Crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans) and an adult female eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) were found dead in their cages in a private aviary in March 2009, April 2010, and February 2010, respectively, without premonitory signs. Their postmortem examination showed pectoral muscle atrophy and a distended proventriculus. The proventricular mucosal surface was covered with a gelatinous, whitish material, where a large number of nematode parasites identified as Dispharynx nasuta were present. A histologic examination revealed a hyperplastic mucosa, spirurid nematodes in the mucosal layer and inflammatory mononuclear cells in the lamina propria. This is the first report of a D. nasuta infection associated with proliferative proventriculitis and subsequent death in psittacine birds.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Male
  • Nematode Infections / parasitology
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary*
  • Parrots*
  • Proventriculus / parasitology*
  • Proventriculus / pathology