Lundgren, D. L. (University of Utah, Salt Lake City), B. D. Thorpe, and C. D. Haskell. Infectious diseases in wild animals in Utah. VI. Experimental infection of birds with Rickettsia rickettsii. J. Bacteriol. 91:963-966. 1966.-Chickens, pigeons, pheasants, sparrow hawks, red-tailed hawks, ravens, magpies, and a marsh hawk were inoculated with Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of Roc...

Marek’s disease (MD) was observed in Japanese quails. Gross lesions were confined mostly to the proventriculus, spleen and liver. Microscopic lesions were commonly seen in the spleen and liver. Suggestive lesions of MD were observed in seven out of 20 birds grossly. Organs were collected from all the 20 necropsied birds. The birds which were not revealing gross lesions were also tested for MD v...

Haemoparasites prevalence in birds can vary among species, age and sex groups and ecological conditions. To comprehend the host–parasite assemblages, it is important to investigate physiological mechanisms underlying the interactions in wild bird species. Here, using blood smears we investigated how leukocyte profiles in reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and sedge warblers (Acrocephalus s...

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza (bird flu) viruses, which occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can cause illness and death in some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. The virus can transmit from birds to hu...

One hundred and eleven zoo birds representing 49 species in 14 orders were examined for Marek's disease (MD) herpesvirus (MDHV) infection. MDHV was isolated from 10 birds, all belonging to genus Gallus. The precipitating antibodies against MDHV were demonstrated only in the Gallus birds, when 51 selected birds including 34 Galliformes and 17 other birds representing 12 species from nine orders ...

In this study we compared protection by DNA vaccination with the F (pCMV-F) or N (pCMV-N) gene from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) in turkeys. One-week-old turkey poults received two intramuscular injections 2 wk apart. Birds were challenged with a turkey-embryo-adapted aMPV at 5 wk of age. Birds vaccinated with pCMV-F had decreased clinical signs of disease as well as significantly reduced virus...

Received: Revised: Accepted: 2013–11–17 2014–02–28 2014–03–04 The study was conducted to determine the infection rate of helminths in peafowls and to evaluate the comparative efficacy of two broad spectrum anthelmintics. For this purpose, fecal samples of 87 different breeds of peafowls were collected and tested for the presence of helminths. Fecal samples were examined by direct smear and cent...

Background: The H9N2 subtype of the influenza virus, which is endemic in many regions of Iran, is considered as a candidate for future pandemics. In the present study, excretion time of the Iranian endemic influenza virus (H9N2 subtype) from the feces and pharyngeal secretions of laying chicken breeds was evaluated. Methods: This experimental study conducted at the Diagnostic Laboratory Scienc...

Serum samples from 973 ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Canada were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test incorporating mercaptoethanol and formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites. Twenty-eight (2.9%) of the 973 birds were found to be seropositive for antibodies to T. gondii at titers of 1:25 in 15 birds, 1:50 in 12 birds, and 1:500 in 1 bird. This is the first...

Birds may be host to a number of species of blood-inhabiting protozoa and nematode worms transmitted by haematophagous arthropods. Protozoan parasites include haemosporidia in the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Hepatozoon, and Babesia, and haemoflagellates in the genus Trypanosoma. Most families of birds are susceptible to blood protozoal infection in the wild (Bennett et al. 1...