Vacuolar myelinopathy in waterfowl from a North Carolina impoundment.

Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy: A Newly Recognized Fatal Neurological Disease of Eagles, Waterfowl and Other Birds

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy outbreaks at a southeastern reservoir.

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a neurologic disease of unknown etiology that affects bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), American coots (Fulica americana), and several species of waterfowl. An unidentified neurotoxin is suspected as the cause of AVM, which has been documented at several reservoirs in the southeastern United States. We conducted diagnostic and epidemiologic studies ann...

An extract of Hydrilla verticillata and associated epiphytes induces avian vacuolar myelinopathy in laboratory mallards.

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a neurological disease affecting bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), American coots (Fulica americana), waterfowl, and other birds in the southeastern United States. The cause of the disease is unknown, but is thought to be a naturally produced toxin. AVM is associated with aquatic macrophytes, most frequently hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), and resear...

A novel epiphytic cyanobacterium associated with reservoirs affected by avian vacuolar myelinopathy

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a newly discovered bird disease, which is killing bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and waterfowl in the southeastern United States. Surveys were conducted to investigate exotic macrophytes (e.g. Hydrilla verticillata) as a substrate for attachment by toxic cyanobacteria that may be associated with the incidence of AVM. While the specific cause of the d...

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy linked to exotic aquatic plants and a novel cyanobacterial species.

Invasions of exotic species have created environmental havoc through competition and displacement of native plants and animals. The introduction of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) into the United States in the 1960s has been detrimental to navigation, power generation, water intake, and water quality (McCann et al., 1996). Our field surveys and feeding studies have now implicated exotic hydril...