Infections in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) induced by the sporozoan Henneguya (Protozoa: Myxosporidea) result in seven known and diverse disease manifestations. Most outstanding is an interlamellar branchial form responsible for significant losses among immature catfish, and a unique papillomatous form. The question of whether or not the species of Henneguya involved in these cases is H. exilis remains to be resolved.

Post mortem examinations of 31 whistling swans (Olor columbianus) collected from the Lake St. Clair marshes in the spring of 1972 indicated that lead toxicosis and filariasis (Sarconema eurycerca) were the main causes of mortality.

Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and chukars (Alectoris graeca) were inoculated with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Antibody titers reached a peak 2 weeks postinoculation and then declined. Viremia was of short duration, clinical signs were not detected, and uninoculated cage mates did not develop antibody titers.

Endoparasites detected in the black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) include one nasal mite, four nematodes, three trematodes, five cestodes, and two acanthocephalans. Each of these represents a new host record. Overall, 47% of the birds were parasitized with an average of 12 helminths per infected bird. Helminths were significantly more common in juveniles than in adults; more females than males were parasitized, but the difference was not statistically significant. No correlation existed between the parasite load and the physical condition of the host. Tissue damage in infected birds was minimal and limited to nematode cysts in the proventriculi. Parasite loads were light, apparently reflecting the food habits of the host.

A 2-week-old northern fur seal female pup (Callorhinus ursinus) found dead in the Pribilof Islands had an irregular mass at the anterior pole of the right kidney. Histopathological examination revealed a fibrosarcoma.

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is reported in bighorn sheep (Ovis c. canadensis) from several national parks in western Canada and in mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) from Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. (This is the first report of CE in mountain goat.) Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, histopathology, transmission experiments and the demonstration of a poxvirus with the electron microscope. The infection was transmitted from wild to domestic goat, but not to domestic sheep.

Most infections, some of them severe, were found in lambs and kids. Clinical signs of disease were similar to those seen in domestic sheep and goats. General body condition was poor and animals had difficulty feeding normally.

All infected herds had prolonged contact with areas where salt was provided artificially (i.e., salt blocks, highways and campgrounds). Fewer infected sheep were observed annually when salt blocks were removed from Jasper National Park.

Four cases of tuberculosis are recorded in lesser flamingoes (Phoeniconaias minor) from Lake Nakuru, Kenya. The clinical, pathological and microbiological findings are given and the possible significance of the infection in this species is discussed.

Dictyocaulus viviparus infections in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis of Teton County were surveyed by fecal analyses during spring, summer and winter and by fecal analyses and necropsies during fall hunting seasons, 1968–1973. Prevalence of the lungworms was relatively high: 32–70% during the spring; slightly lower, 30–47%, during the summer; 21–39% in the fall; and declined to the annual low of 8–19% during the winter. Conversely, elk summering on Big Game Ridge showed an increase in prevalence of D. viviparus from 1969 to 1973. Decreases in prevalence of lungworms were noted on the National Elk Refuge at Jackson after management changes were effected in 1971.

Antibodies against rangiferine brucellosis, Brucella suis type 4, are commonly found in the serum of various domestic and wild Alaskan carnivores which feed on caribou, Rangifer tarandus granti, in arctic Alaska. Sled dogs from five native villages on the range of the Arctic caribou herd, but not from two villages on the range of the Porcupine caribou herd, are commonly infected. Wolves (Canis lupus) and red foxes (Vulpes fulva) are less commonly infected.

About 90% of the grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) associated with the Arctic caribou herd and 30% of those associated with the Porcupine caribou herd show serologic signs of exposure to Brucella, presumably the enzootic strain present in Alaska caribou. This is the first evidence of natural Brucella infection in bears.

It is concluded that infection of predators by enzootic strains of Brucella present in prey species (e.g., ruminants) is common to many areas of the world. Evidence from the literature and unpublished experimental data suggest that such infections may interfere with reproduction in wild species, but additional study is needed to clearly resolve this question.

A method for concentrating and detecting the spores of the cause of whirling disease (Myxosoma cerebralis) of salmonids is described. The method involves homogenization of head skeletons, screening out tissue shreds, and concentrating with a continuous plankton centrifuge.

Total serum protein (TSP) levels were recorded for the adult cohort in a population of southern Florida raccoons (Procyon lotor marinus) for a period of 1 year. TSP levels were found to fluctuate seasonally, with autumn levels being the highest and spring and summer levels the lowest. Values for males tended to be higher than those for females. There may be a correlation between mean TSP levels and mean body weight. In 10 male raccoons recaptured during the study period, the same pattern of fluctuation in TSP levels was observed.

A 2.3 kg partially ossified fibroma developed apparently within a 4½ month period near a tag inserted in the right ear of a 5½ year old white-tailed doe (Odecoileus virginianus). This growth caused an abnormal head carriage, disturbed feeding and resulted in emaciation. Secondary partially ossified fibromas developed at the left ear tag and in the right external acoustic meatus. The latter fibroma penetrated the tympanic membrane. The puncture wounds in the ears associated with the aluminum tags probably provided sites for virus infection and subsequent fibromatosis.

In northern Idaho, a 10-year old wapiti (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) died showing signs of ataxia and alopecia. Examination of dermis revealed infestation with Psoroptes equi var. cervinus.

The Theileriidae of East African wild mammals are reviewed.

Three species of wild Bovidae were captured in East Africa. They were African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and eland (Taurotragus oryx), and all were found to be naturally infected with Theileria species. These animals were studied to determine the transmissibility and pathogenicity of their theilerial infections to cattle. Adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks, which had engorged as nymphs on buffalo, transmitted fatal Theileria lawrencei infections to cattle. African buffalo were shown to be continually infective for ticks over a period of many months, demonstrating that buffalo can remain a carrier of T. lawrencei. In contrast, attempts to transmit the Theileria of wildebeest and eland to cattle through rhipicephalid ticks failed, despite the establishment of these parasites of the ticks. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the epidemiology of bovine theilerioses.

During these studies, Anaplasma marginale was transmitted by blood passage from wildebeest to splenectomized calves.

A fourth pair of mandibular molars in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was located posterior to the third pair. There was a distinct gap between the third and fourth molars on both left and right sides.

Blood samples were collected from 23 free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Tanzania. Red and white blood cell counts, white blood cell differential, hemoglobin, blood copper, and blood inorganic phosphate were determined. No correlation of any of these measurements with age and sex was discernible, except that the total white count was significantly higher in females than in males in all age groups. The findings are compared with those previously reported for captive and free-ranging African elephants.

Inclusion body disease of falcons (IBDF) is caused by a herpesvirus. The clinical course is short, 24 to 72 hours in duration, and is characterized by mild to severe depression and weakness often accompanied by anorexia. The disease is invariably fatal. The virus has a marked affinity for the reticuloendothelial system and hepatocytes, producing focal to diffuse necrosis of infected tissues accompanied by the formation of intranuclear inclusion bodies. The virus is pathogenic for American kestrels (Falco sparverius) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) in which typical lesions of IBDF are reproduced. The lesions of IBDF are similar to those produced by some herpesvirus infections in other avian species.

The carcass of a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), which had been found moribund in southern Ontario, was presented for necropsy. Throughout the liver and spleen were numerous white foci 1-2 mm in diameter; also noted were white plaques in the mucosae of the pharyngeal papillae and intestine. Results of light and electron microscopic studies and experimental transmission to two captive great horned owls suggested that this was a herpesvirus disease similar and possibly identical to the owl disease reported by other workers in Wisconsin and Australia.

The data presented are compiled from two herds of American bison (Bison bison) in Kansas. In this study there were differences in the mean values of white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage and cholestrol, alkaline phosphatase, specific glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase concentrations between the age groups of animals under 2 years of age and bison over 2 years old. Differences in the two age groups paralleled those found in Jersey and Hereford cattle. Packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration was considerably higher than found in domestic Bovidae. More data is needed from other bison herds in this country to better describe the range of normal variation in individuals, population and age groups of B. bison.

During an 18-year period, 4.1% (34/831) of male deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) killed on a field station during the autumn hunting season had velvet-covered, often misshapen antlers, and at least two deer had testicular atrophy (gonads from most deer were not available for examination). Testes from six similarly affected deer and several normal deer were compared histologically. Lesions ranged from hypocellularity of the semeniferous tubules and relative hyperplasia or degeneration of interstitial cells to complete connective tissue replacement of the testicular parenchyma. Chronic vascular changes were present in several testes. The etiology and pathogenesis of the lesions were not determined.

Smears were prepared from heart blood of 55 woodcock collected in central Maine between spring and fall, 1972 and 1973. Peripheral blood taken from the wings of 41 of these birds also was examined. Examination of stained films revealed no infected blood cells. Samples of heart blood from 35 of the 41 woodcock were injected into young ducks, quail, and a gull. Plasmodia were not seen in inoculated birds.

Calcification of the endocardium of the left atrium, and to a lesser extent the media of the pulmonary artery and aorta, was found associated with nephritis in a badger (Taxidea taxus).

Cutaneous elevations were present on the feet, legs and heads of four Florida sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis pratensis, (one free-living, three penreared birds). As a result of examination of the elevations by light- and electron microscopy, it was determined that the lesions were caused by poxvirus. This is the first record of pox in cranes in North America.

Degenerative lesions were found in the skeletal system of 20 of 128 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) examined. Similar changes were found in an aged male moose (Alces alces). Arthropathy involving the stifle joint was present in 60% (15/25) of male deer 4 years of age or older, and in 16.7% (4/25) of females in the same age range. Vertebral osteophytes were not found in any of 62 female deer, nor in male deer less than 6 years of age, but were present in 50% (7/14) of males 6 years of age or older. The possible etiology and significance of the conditions are discussed.

An immature impala (Aepyceros melampus), captured in the Machakos district of Kenya, had Theileria-like parasites in its erythrocytes. Blood from this animal was inoculated into a Theileria-free impala born in captivity and a Theileria-free, splenectomized steer. Theilerial piroplasms were detected in the erythrocytes of the recipient impala 10 days after inoculation, and a peak parasitaemia of 2% was reached after 48 days, but no infection was detected in the steer. Anaemia developed in the recipient impala in association with the theilerial infection. The morphology of the theilerial piroplasm is described. Possibly dividing parasites were identified. Attempted tick transmission of the impala Theileria to a steer using the ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, was unsuccessful. With an antigen prepared from the impala blood and the indirect fluorescent antibody test, this parasite was serologically distinct from other theilerial parasites isolated from Bovidae in East Africa.

Seasonal prevalence of Haemoproteus columbae and its vector Pseudolynchia canariensis in the feral pigeon (Columba livia) population of Detroit, Michigan has been studied for 5 years. The greatest prevalence of H. columbae infection occurs during fall and winter and is lowest during the spring, correlating with changes in the vector population.

Paragonimus kellicotti Ward, 1908 was recovered from 16 of 105 mink (Mustela vison), 14 of 244 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 10 of 446 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 1 of 31 coyotes (Canis latrans), 0 of 326 raccoons (Procyon lotor) and 0 of 8 weasels (Mustela spp.) collected from southwestern Ontario. The majority of carnivores harboring P. kellicotti was collected from two counties (Huron and Bruce) bordering the east shore of Lake Huron where 6.0% of the animals (excluding raccoons) were infected. There were extensive adhesions between the lungs and parietal pleura and dorsal mediastinal pleura in 25 of 301 raccoons collected from these two counties. This lesion was thought to be associated with a reaction to migrating P. kellicotti.

This is the first time P. kellicotti has been reported in the striped skunk and red fox from Ontario and apparently the first record of this parasite in the coyote.