BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 June 2012 DEBILITATION AND MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH BESNOITIOSIS IN FOUR VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA)
Angela E Ellis, Elizabeth Mackey, Philip A Moore, Stephen J Divers, B VetMed, D ZooMed, Patrick Hensel, K. Paige Carmichael, Peter Accola, Justin Brown, Nicole Gottdenker, M. Kevin Keel, Barbara C Shock, Michael J Yabsley
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Besnoitia spp. are coccidian parasites that infect a variety of wild and domestic mammals as well as some reptiles. Although infection with Besnoitia is common in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), clinical signs or death due to Besnoitia is rare. This manuscript describes four Virginia opossums that had severe clinical disease and inflammation associated with besnoitiosis. Clinical signs included trembling, incoordination, circling, blindness, poor body condition, and sudden death. Gross lesions included parasitic cysts in eyes, skin, and visceral organs. Histologically, cysts were often degenerate and associated with mild to marked inflammation, and amyloidosis was noted in one animal. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing confirmed Besnoitia darlingi in three of the four opossums.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Angela E Ellis, Elizabeth Mackey, Philip A Moore, Stephen J Divers, B VetMed, D ZooMed, Patrick Hensel, K. Paige Carmichael, Peter Accola, Justin Brown, Nicole Gottdenker, M. Kevin Keel, Barbara C Shock, and Michael J Yabsley "DEBILITATION AND MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH BESNOITIOSIS IN FOUR VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 43(2), 367-374, (1 June 2012). https://doi.org/10.1638/2011-0181.1
Received: 22 September 2011; Published: 1 June 2012
KEYWORDS
Besnoitia
besnoitiosis
coccidian
opossum
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top