An iridovirus was confirmed to be the cause of an epizootic in larval and adult tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli) from four separate ponds in southern Saskatchewan (Canada) during the summer of 1997. This organism also is suspected, based on electron microscopic findings, to be the cause of mortality of larval tiger salamanders in a pond over 200 km to the north during the same year. Salamanders developed a generalized viremia which resulted in various lesions including: necrotizing, vesicular and ulcerative dermatitis; gastrointestinal ulceration; and necrosis of hepatic, splenic, renal, lymphoid, and hematopoietic tissues. In cells associated with these lesions, large lightly basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions and vacuolated nuclei with marginated chromatin were consistently found. Virus was isolated from tissue homogenates of infected salamanders following inoculation of epithelioma papilloma cyprini (EPC) cells. The virus, provisionally designated Regina ranavirus (RRV), was initially identified as an iridovirus by electron microscopy. Subsequent molecular characterization, including partial sequence analysis of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene, confirmed this assignment and established that RRV was a ranavirus distinct from frog virus 3 (FV3) and other members of the genus Ranavirus. Intraperitoneal inoculation of 5 × 10^6.23 TCID₅₀ of the field isolate caused mortality in inoculated salamanders at 13 days post infection. Field, clinical, and molecular studies jointly suggest that the etiological agent of recent salamander mortalities is a highly infectious novel ranavirus.

Eight 8-wk-old raccoon pups (Procyon lotor) with maternal canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and 24 8-wk-old seronegative pups were administered a commercial modified-live CDV vaccine (Galaxy D^®, Solvay Animal Health, Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada). All 24 seronegative raccoons had detectable serum CDV NAb titers 14 days after the initial dose. Titers rose to maximum levels 4 wk post-vaccination. Mean titers for groups of vaccinated seronegative pups were maintained between 1:256 and 1:2,048 for the remainder of the 3 mo observation period. Geometric means of the serum CDV NAb titer of eight seronegative pups given a single vaccine dose at 8 wk of age did not differ significantly from those of eight pups that were given serial doses at 8, 12, and 16 wk of age, or from those of eight pups vaccinated once at 16 wk of age. Seven unvaccinated 8-wk-old raccoon pups used as controls remained seronegative throughout the trial. Seven out of eight 8-wk-old pups with maternal antibodies, vaccinated at 8, 12, and 16 wk of age, failed to develop a rise in their CDV NAb titers until at least 18 wk of age, 2 wk after the third vaccination. Titers in eight unvaccinated raccoons with maternal antibodies declined steadily to undetectable levels at 20 wk of age. A half-life of 10.55 days was calculated for maternally-derived CDV NAb in raccoon pups. Sixteen vaccinated raccoons were protected from clinical disease following experimental oronasal challenge with a virulent raccoon strain of CDV, 13 to 23 wk after vaccination. Serum CDV NAb titers at the time of challenge ranged from 1:12 to 1:384 and increased during the period of observation. Three of four unvaccinated seronegative raccoons used as controls failed to mount any detectable CDV NAb and were euthanatized after developing clinical signs of canine distemper 26, 29, and 30 days post-challenge (PC). Necropsies confirmed the diagnosis. The fourth control raccoon exhibited transient equivocal clinical signs, mounted a sluggish humoral response, but was clinically normal when euthanatized 42 days PC. In this raccoon, there was focal non-suppurative encephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies typical of CDV infection.

To determine if lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) are a potential reservoir for the Pasteurella multocida bacterium that causes avian cholera, serum samples and/or pharyngeal swabs were collected from >3,400 adult geese breeding on Wrangel Island (Russia) and Banks Island (Canada) during 1993–1996. Pharyngeal swab sampling rarely (>0.1%) detected birds that were exposed to P. multocida in these populations. Geese with serum antibody levels indicating recent infection with P. multocida were found at both breeding colonies. Prevalence of seropositive birds was 3.5% at Wrangel Island, an area that has no recorded history of avian cholera epizootics. Prevalence of seropositive birds was 2.8% at Banks Island in 1994, but increased to 8.2% during 1995 and 1996 when an estimated 40,000–60,000 snow geese were infected. Approximately 50% of the infected birds died during the epizootic and a portion of the surviving birds may have become carriers of the disease. This pattern of prevalence indicated that enzootic levels of infection with P. multocida occurred at both breeding colonies. When no avian cholera epizootics occurred (Wrangel Island, Banks Island in 1994), female snow geese (4.7%) had higher antibody prevalence than males (2.0%).

The objective of this study was to develop a suitable experimental model of natural Mycobacterium bovis infection in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), describe the distribution and character of tuberculous lesions, and to examine possible routes of disease transmission. In October 1997, 10 mature female white-tailed deer were inoculated by intratonsilar instillation of 2 × 10³ (low dose) or 2 × 10⁵ (high dose) colony forming units (CFU) of M. bovis. In January 1998, deer were euthanatized, examined, and tissues were collected 84 to 87 days post inoculation. Possible routes of disease transmission were evaluated by culture of nasal, oral, tonsilar, and rectal swabs at various times during the study. Gross and microscopic lesions consistent with tuberculosis were most commonly seen in medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes and lung in both dosage groups. Other tissues containing tuberculous lesions included tonsil, trachea, liver, and kidney as well as lateral retropharyngeal, mandibular, parotid, tracheobronchial, mediastinal, hepatic, mesenteric, superficial cervical, and iliac lymph nodes. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from tonsilar swabs from 8 of 9 deer from both dosage groups at least once 14 to 87 days after inoculation. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from oral swabs 63 and 80 days after inoculation from one of three deer in the low dose group and none of four deer in the high dose group. Similarly, M. bovis was isolated from nasal swabs 80 and 85 days after inoculation in one of three deer from the low dose group and 63 and 80 days after inoculation from two of four deer in the high dose group. Intratonsilar inoculation with M. bovis results in lesions similar to those seen in naturally infected white-tailed deer; therefore, it represents a suitable model of natural infection. These results also indicate that M. bovis persists in tonsilar crypts for prolonged periods and can be shed in saliva and nasal secretions. These infected fluids represent a likely route of disease transmission to other animals or humans.

Two Theileria cervi SSU rRNA gene sequence Types, F and G, from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) isolates in North America were confirmed. Previously, nucleotide sequencing through a single variable (V4) region showed the presence of SSU rRNA gene Types F and G in T. cervi isolates from white-tailed deer and an elk. In this study, both sequence types were found in four T. cervi isolates (two from deer and two from elk). Microheterogeneity only appeared in the Type G gene, resulting in Subtypes G1, G2 and G3. Subtype G1 was found in two elk and one white-tailed deer T. cervi isolate; Subtypes G2 and G3 were found in a white-tailed deer T. cervi isolate. The Type F SSU rRNA genes were identical in nucleotide sequence in both elk and white-tailed deer T. cervi isolates. The high degree of conservation in the Type F variable regions may be exploited to design specific oligonucleotide primers for parasite detection by the polymerase chain reaction in cervine or tick hosts.

Eight common eider (Somateria mollissima) ducklings were experimentally infected from 1 June through 13 June, 1995 with acanthocephalans (Polymorphus minutus) by allowing the birds to feed on Gammarus spp. (Gammarus oceanicus, G. salinus, G. zaddachi, and G. lacustris) containing acanthocephalan cystacanths. Uninfected Gammarus spp. were fed to a control group of seven ducklings. No mortality of ducklings occurred during the experiment. However, the infected ducklings gained weight more slowly than the control birds. After the 2 wk study period, the mean serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, fructosamine and creatine kinase were lower in the infected group than in the controls. The mean (±SE) number of acanthocephalans in the intestine of the infected ducklings was 21 (±4). The parasites were attached to the mucosa of the posterior small intestine of the infected ducklings with a mixed inflammatory reaction consisting of heterophils and mononuclear lymphocytes surrounding the attachment sites.

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) frequently establish defecation sites, termed latrines, on large logs, stumps, rocks, and other horizontally oriented structures/surfaces. These latrines are important foci of infective eggs of Baylisascaris procyonis, a nematode parasite of raccoons which is pathogenic to numerous species of mammals and birds. To examine the role of raccoon latrines in this animal-parasite interaction, we documented animal visitations to raccoon latrines in two large forested tracts and two woodlots in Indiana (USA) during 1994 and 1995. Species richness of vertebrate visitors did not differ between sites or years, but species composition differed by site and year. Fourteen mammal and 15 bird species were documented visiting raccoon latrines. Small granivorous mammals, including white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), and tree squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis, S. niger, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) were the most common visitors to latrine sites. White-footed mice, chipmunks, white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis), and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were photographed foraging on undigested seeds in raccoon feces. Active foraging at latrines also was shown experimentally; seeds embedded in raccoon feces were removed at a greater rate at latrine sites than at nonlatrines. We conclude that raccoon latrines are visited routinely by a variety of vertebrates, especially small granivorous rodents and birds which forage for seeds in raccoon feces, and that raccoon latrines are probable sites of transmission of B. procyonis to susceptible mammals and birds.

Necropsy findings from natural deaths in free living and captive stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta) were examined over a 3 yr period (November 1991–94) to establish whether disease was an important factor in translocation failures and captive breeding programs undertaken by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Fresh and fixed material from seven free-living birds and 11 captive birds were examined and were compared with those of a retrospective study of archival material from captive and wild birds collected over a 13 yr period (1979–91). The causes of death in both the present and retrospective study showed a similar pattern with aspergillosis and aspiration pneumonia being the most significant cause of mortality in captive birds. Aspergillosis was diagnosed as the cause of death in 11 of 31 stitchbirds from Mt Bruce; eight of these deaths occurred in the winter months (June–August). The other causes of death in captive birds included trauma, coccidiosis, and sporadic bacterial infections. Hemosiderosis and airsacculitis were common histological findings in most of the wild and captive stitchbirds examined.

Unusual numbers of wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) chicks stranded on Oahu (Hawaii, USA) in 1994. Compared to healthy wedge-tailed shearwater (WTSW) chicks, stranded chicks were underweight, dehydrated, leukopenic, lymphopenic, eosinopenic, and heterophilic; some birds were toxemic and septic. Stranded chicks also were hypoglycemic and had elevated aspartate amino transferase levels. Most chicks apparently died from emaciation, dehydration, or bacteremia. Because many birds with bacteremia also had severe necrosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa associated with bacteria, we suspect the GI tract to be the source of disseminated bacterial infection. The identity of the bacteria was not confirmed. The daily number of chicks stranded was significantly related to average wind speeds, and the mortality coincided with the fledging period for WTSW. Strong southeasterly winds were a distinguishing meteorologic factor in 1994 and contributed to the distribution of stranded chicks on Oahu. More objective data on WTSW demographics would enhance future efforts to determine predisposing causes of WTSW wrecks and their effects on seabird colonies.

During 1996 and 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a study to determine the cause(s) of population decline and low survival of pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) fawns on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR) located in southeastern Oregon (USA). As part of that study, blood, fecal, and tissue samples from 104 neonatal fawns, 40 adult does, and nine adult male pronghorns were collected to conduct a health evaluation of the population. Physiological parameters related to nutrition and/or disease were studied. No abnormalities were found in the complete blood cell counts of adults (n = 40) or fawns (n = 44 to 67). Serum total protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were lower compared to other pronghorn populations. Does had mean BUN values significantly lower (P < 0.001) in December 1996 than March 1997. Serum copper (Cu) levels in does (range 0.39 to 0.74 ppm) were considered marginal when compared to domestic animals and other wild ungulates. Fawns had low (0.28 ppm) Cu levels at birth and reached the does' marginal values in about 3 days. Whole blood, serum and liver selenium (Se) levels were considered marginal to low in most segments of the pronghorn population. However, serum levels of vitamin E (range 1.98 to 3.27 μg/ml), as determined from the does captured in March, were apparently sufficient to offset any signs of Se deficiency. No clinical signs of Cu or Se deficiency were observed. Fifty-five of 87 dead fawns were necropsied. Trauma, due to predation by coyotes (Canis latrans), accounted for 62% of the mortality during mid-May to mid-July of each year. Other causes included predation by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) (4%), dystocia (2%), septicemic pasteurellosis (4%), starvation (5%), and unknown (23%). Adult females were tested for serum neutralizing antibodies to Brucella spp. (n = 20, negative), Leptospira interrogans (n = 20, negative), bluetongue virus (n = 20, 35% positive), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (n = 20, 30% positive), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 18, negative), parainfluenza virus type 3 (n = 18, 67% positive), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (n = 18, negative), and bovine viral diarrhea (n = 18, negative). Considering the parameters examined, we found no apparent predisposing factors to mortality including those killed by coyotes, but some nutritional parameters suggest that pronghorns on HMNAR exist on a diet low in protein and Se and marginal in Cu. The effect these factors have on the population is not known.

During necropsy of cetaceans stranded or accidentally net-captured along the western coast of the Gulf of Mexico from 1991 to 1996, we found 13 of 59 (22%) animals had abnormalities of the atlanto-occipital and/or humeroscapular joints, the synovial joints. A few cases demonstrated mild roughening of the articular cartilage, while the majority exhibited complete erosion with thickened synovium and bony proliferation. The lesions resulted in ankylosis of both joints in one animal. In humans and terrestrial mammals, synovial joint diseases are known to be debilitating. Cetaceans depend on neck and flipper movement for locomotion, feeding, avoiding danger, and reaching the water's surface for breathing. Therefore, synovial joint disease may be a significant mortality factor in these marine animals.

Ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) were observed in six (3 M, 3 F) of 33 (20 M, 13 F) (18%) Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) necropsied by veterinary pathologists between 1985 and 1998. A seventh ASD was found in a female panther necropsied in the field and is included in the pathological description but not the prevalence of ASDs in Florida panthers. One panther (FP205) with severe ASD also had tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD). Atrial septal defects and/or TVD are believed to have caused or contributed to the deaths of three (9%) Florida panthers in this study. Mean diameter ± SD of ASDs was 9.0 ± 4.7 mm (range 3 to 15 mm). Gross pathological changes attributed to ASDs/TVD in severely affected panthers (ASD ≥ 10 mm) (n = 4) included mild right ventricular dilatation (n = 3) and hypertrophy (n = 2), mild to severe right atrial dilatation (n = 2), and acute pulmonary edema (n = 3). Panthers with mild ASDs (ASD ≤ 5 mm) (n = 3) had no other detectable gross pathological changes associated with the ASDs. Histological examination of lungs of three panthers with severe ASDs revealed mild to moderate dilatation with fibrosis and smooth muscle atrophy of the tunica media of medium to large caliber arteries (n = 2), interstitial and/or pleural fibrosis (n = 2), perivascular fibrosis (n = 1), and acute to chronic edema (n = 3). Twenty-six necropsied panthers were examined one or more times while living; medical records were retrospectively evaluated. Antemortem radiographic, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were performed on two panthers with severe ASDs (FP20 and FP205). Thoracic radiographic abnormalities in both included right heart enlargement, and in FP205 (severe ASD and TVD), mild pulmonary overperfusion. Electrocardiographic examination of FP205 revealed a right ventricular hypertrophy pattern, while FP205 had a normal electrocardiogram. Echocardiographic examination of FP20 revealed marked right atrial dilatation; a bubble contrast study indicated regurgitation across the tricuspid valve. Echocardiographic abnormalities in FP20 included right atrial and ventricular dilatation, atrial septal drop-out, and severe tricuspid regurgitation; non-selective angiography revealed significant left to right shunting across the ASD. All panthers with severe ASDs ausculted (n = 3) had systolic right or left-sided grade I–V/VI murmurs loudest at the heart base. All male panthers with ASDs (n = 3) (100%) and 9 of 17 (53%) male panthers without ASDs in this study were cryptorchid.

Free-ranging southern two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus) were translocated during the flooding of a forest at a hydroelectric dam site in French Guiana. Over an 11 mo period blood samples were collected from 90 sloths (38 males, 52 females) in order to determine hematological and serum chemistry reference values. Mean values and range of values were calculated for 13 hematological and 21 serum chemistry parameters. Variations associated with sex, age, and reproductive status were identified. Males had a significantly lower red blood cell count than females. Immature animals had more monocytes while adults had more neutrophils and higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride values were higher in young than in adult sloths but uric acid was lower. Lactating females showed lower red blood cells count and iron levels than non-lactating females. These profiles will help to provide reliable baseline data for medical evaluation of sloths.

Adult male Woodhouse's toads (Bufo woodhousi) developed clinical disease, hepatomegaly, and died at a higher rate when externally exposed once to either a high or low sublethal dose (0.011 or 0.0011 mg malathion/g toad) of field grade malathion and challenged with a sublethal dose of Aeromonas hydrophila injected intraperintoneally (1.1 × 10⁴ bacteria/g toad) when compared to toads not exposed to malathion but challenged with A. hydrophila (P < 0.007). Toads exposed to malathion (high or low dose) and challenged with A. hydrophila had clinical disease, hepatomegaly, and died at a higher rate [9 (90%) of 10] than toads exposed to malathion alone (P < 0.002). Toads exposed to the high and low doses of malathion had a 22% and 17% decrease in brain cholinesterase levels, respectively, when they were compared to nonmalathion exposed toads (P < 0.025, P < 0.006). It appears that field grade malathion applied externally to adult Woodhouse's toads may cause increased disease susceptibility when challenged with a potentially pathogenic bacteria.

Lesions consistent with exertional myopathy (EM) were documented postmortem in four North American river otters (Lutra canadensis) during translocation for a population restoration project. Clinical signs in these otters included depression, anorexia and shock. Gross lesions in one otter included locally extensive linear, pale areas within the subscapularis, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, and dorsal laryngeal muscles. Microscopic lesions were characterized by acute to subacute myofiber necrosis of varying severity, and occurred in a variety of skeletal muscles as well as cardiac muscle in one otter. Based on these observations, we conducted a retrospective review of records of otters which experienced similar capture, transfer, and holding protocols between 1995 and 1997, but with a successful outcome (n = 69). Significant elevations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) were observed in 19 (28%) of the otters, but may have been higher due to delayed sample collection from some otters. However, none of the otters with elevated enzymes exhibited clinical signs suggestive of EM. These findings indicate that river otters may develop EM when translocated, but many cases may be mild or clinically inapparent.

Since 1995, at least three polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have died in the area of Churchill (Manitoba, Canada) as a direct result of being suspended in a net during helicopter-assisted translocations. To assess and improve methods of suspending anesthetized polar bears, we conducted a study during November 1997 to determine the cardiopulmonary responses of eight captive polar bears to suspension by net and by sling. Each bear was anesthetized on two occasions in which the sequence of activities followed and the type of data collected was identical, with only the method of suspension differing. Control data obtained from 11 captive polar bears during 1995–96 was included in the statistical analyses of cardiopulmonary data to help clearly differentiate the cardiopulmonary effects of suspension from those of drug metabolism. Suspending polar bears above the ground by net caused acute hypertension (e.g., 17 to 49% increase in mean arterial pressure), possibly as a result of increased venous return due to body compression. Increased arousal (e.g., head, tongue, and limb movement) also occurred consistently during net-suspension and suggested a stress response. Surprisingly, most suspended bears showed little change in blood gas values, but at least one bear became hypoxemic (i.e., P_aO₂ < 60 mm Hg) with each method of suspension. Because of the potential health risks of hypertension and hypoxemia, we recommend modifying the method by which polar bears are suspended with the goal of reducing body compression.

This retrospective study examines the geographic and temporal distribution of bat species submitted for rabies testing in South Carolina (USA) from 1970 to 1990. Histories of human or animal exposures to rabid and nonrabid bats submitted during this time period were compared. Two hundred and thirty-one bats were found to be rabid from the 2,657 bats submitted over this 20 yr period. The two species most frequently submitted for testing were Lasiurus borealis with 785 specimens (30% of the total) and Nycticeius humeralis with 607 specimens (22% of the total). Lasiurus borealis also had the highest prevalence of rabies (18%) while N. humeralis had the lowest prevalence (3%). Fifty-one percent (1,259) of the bats received for testing were submitted from June through August. The majority (54%) of rabid bats were received from August through October.

A primary hepatic carcinoma with a neuroendocrine pattern was detected in an adult female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) found dead on Granito Island in the Gulf of California (Mexico) in January 1996. At necropsy, several light yellow nodules of different sizes were observed on the entire surface of the liver and spleen. Microscopic examination of these nodules using routine haematoxylin-eosin stain, revealed cubic, polyhedral and pleomorphic cells with three to four bizarre mitotic figures per field (40×). An immunohisto-chemistry test revealed a positive reaction of indirect immunoperoxide to cytokeratin (CK2). This is the first known case of a primary hepatic carcinoma in free-ranging California sea lions from Mexican waters.

A case of systemic mycosis due to a Rhizopus sp. infection is described in a dead-stranded, 10-yr-old, male harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) found on the beach of Neustadt, Schleswig-Holstein on the Baltic Sea (Germany). At necropsy, granulomatous mycotic lesions in brain, lung, kidneys, testis, and draining lymph nodes were found. In addition, a focal ulcerative gastritis of the first stomach, due to a nematode infection, was present and is suspected to be the portal of entry for the fungus.

An enzootic focus of rabies in skunks in Mexico is described. Fifty three wild animals including two badgers (Taxidea taxus), 32 bats (various species), one bobcat (Lynx rufus), two coatis (Nasua narica) three foxes (Urocyon cineroargenteus), one raccoon (Procyon lotor) and 12 skunks (see below) were tested for rabies by direct immunofluorescence assay from 1991 to 1997 in the central part of San Luis Potosi State, Mexico. Rabies occurrence was 21% of all tested mammals, with 19% in skunks and only 2% in other wild species (one bobcat). Skunks represented 23% of all mammals tested and had a rabies prevalence of 83%. Only 10 individuals were identified: three hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus leuconotus) and seven spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius). All were involved in human attacks; the spotted skunk attacks were inside bedrooms while people were sleeping, and the hog-nosed skunk attacks occurred outdoors. Skunk cases of rabies represented 40% of all rabies cases in 1997, and 100% of cases registered for wild animals in San Luis Potosi state. This situation constitutes an important public health problem and requires further epidemiological research to make the human population aware of the problem and to establish measures to limit further human attacks by rabid skunks.

Serum samples from two leopard cats (Felis bengalensis) and four Formosan gem-faced civets (Paguma larvata taivana) in Taiwan, September 1995, and nine leopard cats in Vietnam, August and December 1997, were examined for the prevalence of antibodies against feline parvovirus, feline herpesvirus type 1, feline calicivirus and feline immuno-deficiency virus. All civets and nine of 11 leopard cats were shown to have antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV), and FPV's were isolated from mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of the six leopard cats.

Avian pox was diagnosed in three sanderlings (Calidris alba) on Sanibel Island, Florida (USA) in February 1997. All three cases had large tumor-like lesions which contributed significantly to their mortality. Poxvirus infection was confirmed by cytology, histopathology, and electron microscopy. This is the first report of poxvirus infection in sanderlings.

A wild, 3-wk-old saker falcon (Falco cherrug) nestling showing uncoordinated movements and a perosis type tarsometatarsus deformity was found abandoned; it was euthanized a week later on 29 May 1997 after an unsuccessful attempt to rehabilitate it. Gross pathological findings included congestion of parenchymal organs and a lateral bowing of the left tarsometatarsal bone. Histopathology revealed initial interstitial hepatitis, focal catarrhal pneumonia, and dyschondroplasia in the epiphysis of the left tarsometatarsus. Mycoplasmas were isolated from the lungs, trachea, bone marrow and brain. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed for the detection of the mycoplasmal 16S rRNA gene. The resulting 262 base pair PCR product was sequenced and compared to the available mycoplasmal sequences but no identical corresponding sequences were found. However, 98% similarity was found to the Mycoplasma buteonis 16S rRNA and the isolate also was positive by immunoblotting against reference sera to the same species.

To determine if 12 moose (Alces alces) from northern Alaska with agglutinating antibodies specific for Brucella spp. had been exposed to either B. suis biovar 4 or B. abortus biovar 1, western immunoblot serologic analysis was performed. Differential serologic responses to strain specific A and M antigenic variances of the lipopolysaccharide O-polysaccharide sugar allowed strain identification. Prior to examination, test sera were absorbed with killed whole cells from either B. abortus biovar 1, containing predominately A antigen (A M⁻); B. melitensis biovar 1, containing essentially M antigen (A⁻M ); or B. suis biovar 4, containing both antigenic types (A M ). The resulting sera were then examined by western immuno-blot for recognition of either B. abortus biovar 1, B. melitensis biovar 1, or B. suis biovar 4 cell lysates. The results of this study indicate that these moose were exposed to B. suis biovar 4, a known pathogen of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) from arctic Alaska.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) play an integral role in the natural history of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). Paraffinized tissues from a white-tailed deer submitted as a diagnostic case to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (Athens, Georgia, USA) in October of 1985 and originally described as infected with an unidentified rickettsial organism were re-examined by specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for evidence of infection with Ehrlichia spp. Ehrlichia chaffeensis was identified from the bone marrow and inguinal lymph node of this deer based on amplification of a characteristic sequence-confirmed 16S rDNA fragment from these tissues. Parallel PCR tests on the same samples were negative for 16S rDNA fragments of the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and for an Ehrlichia-like organism widely distributed in white-tailed deer populations. This report describes detection of E. chaffeensis in archived tissue from a deer collected before the index case of human monocytic ehrlichiosis was established.

From July through October of 1996, 48 blood samples were collected from coyotes (Canis latrans), badgers (Taxidea taxus), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) in western North Dakota (USA) for the purposes of determining antibody titers to the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis. The passive hemagglutination paper-strip blood-sampling technique was utilized with hemagglutination inhibition controls. Two positive samples were obtained from McKenzie county, one from a coyote with a titer of 1:64 and one from a badger with a titer of 1:256. Considering coyote and badger population dynamics, this study documents plague in western North Dakota.

Leucocytozoon spp. and Trypanosoma spp. blood parasites in the redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) were studied during spring migration 1994 in southern Finland (53 individuals) and the breeding season 1992–1994 in northern Finland (69). Parasite prevalence was higher during the breeding season (48%) than during the migration period (13%), with no age or sex differences in the breeding site birds. In both periods, redstarts were infected by the same blood parasites Leucocytozoon shaartusicum (46% prevalence at the breeding site and 71% during the migration period) and Trypanosoma avium complex (58% and 43%, respectively). One individual at the breeding site had contracted L. dubreuili and one at the stop-over site had T. everetti. Our results may support the assumption that tissue-hidden parasites relapse during the breeding season when birds may have diminished immune response related to egg production and brood rearing. Another explanation could be that the high abundance of ornithophilic vectors enhance parasite transmission during breeding season in northern Finland.

Thirteen of 21 nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) examined for blood parasites in Michigan and Minnesota (USA) during June and July 1997 had patent infections of Leucocytozoon toddi. No other parasites were seen. The degree of parasitemia was light and varied from 1 to 2 on the Ashford Scale. Several of the infected nestlings appeared to have elevated levels of heterophils in their peripheral circulating blood. One of the infected nestlings also showed signs of severe anemia. We believe this is the first report of L. toddi in the bald eagle.

Cytauxzoon felis is a long-recognized hemoparasite of free-ranging Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi), but its prevalence and effect on the population has not been assessed. Red blood cell indices and white blood cell counts were compared between infected and noninfected Florida panthers and Texas cougars (Puma concolor stanleyana) from 1983–1997 in Florida (USA). The prevalence of cytauxzoonosis for both populations was 39% (11/28) for Texas cougars, 35% for Florida panthers (22/63) and 36% overall. Thirteen hematologic parameters were compared between C. felis positive and negative panthers and cougars. Florida panthers had significantly lower mean cell hemoglobin count (MCHC) and higher white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil counts (P ≤ 0.05) than Texas cougars. Infected Florida panthers had significantly lower mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and monocyte counts and higher neutrophil and eosinophil counts than infected Texas cougars. Although statistically significant differences were measured for hematologic parameters in C. felis positive panthers and cougars, biologically significant differences were not likely because values were generally within expected reference ranges for healthy animals. Cytauxzoonosis does not appear to have a negative effect on the hematologic parameters of chronically infected panthers and cougars. Potential transient changes during initial infection were not evaluated.

Standardized flotation techniques were used to survey 56 grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) fecal samples for parasites. The samples were collected during the spring and autumn of 1995 and 1996 in the central Arctic of the Northwest Territories (Canada). Parasites of the genera Nematodirus, gastrointestinal coccidia, and an unidentified first stage protostrongylid larva are reported for the first time from grizzly bear feces in North America. Parasites of the genera Diphyllobothrium and Baylisascaris also were collected. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites were significantly different between the spring and autumn seasons (31% and 58% respectively). Thus, we provide evidence supporting the theory that bears void gastrointestinal parasites before hibernation.

Forty-six heads of free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus) collected in May and June of 1995 and 1996 from Oregon (USA) were examined for the trematode Prouterina wescotti and other parasites. Only Sarcocystis sp. was detected in two adult male bears. Prouterina wescotti has been found only once previously in one black bear from Idaho (USA); its normal definitive host remains unknown.

Twenty feral hogs (Sus scrofa) from a newly discovered population on Fort Riley Army Base (Kansas, USA) were shot and examined from November 1993 through February 1994 to assess the health of the population. The hogs were generally healthy, although serologic evidence indicated that some individuals had been exposed to parvovirus, enterovirus, and swine influenza. We found no indications of brucellosis, pseudorabies, or porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. Lung worms (Metastrongylus spp.), round worms (Ascaris suum), and whipworms (Trichuris suis) were found in nine, four and two of the hogs, respectively. Seven hogs had infestations of lice (Haematopinus suis). Fence-line contacts were documented between four wild boars and domestic sows, and in three cases wild boars entered pens containing domestic sows. We recommend that hogs be examined periodically from this and other wild populations to monitor health status since new animals may enter populations through deliberate translocation, escape from shooting preserves or domestic swine producers, or dispersal from other feral populations.