Necrotizing typhlocolitis associated with a spirochete in rheas (Rhea americana).
Necrotizing typhlocolitis was diagnosed in 13 juvenile common rheas (Rhea americana) from three separate of geographically isolated Ohio flocks, with mortality ranging from 25% to 80%. At postmortem examination, a diphtheritic membrane covered ulcerated cecal mucosa. Histologically, cecal sections showed necrosis and granulomatous-to-suppurative inflammation that extended into the submucosa and often surrounded large eosinophilic colonies of bacteria. Warthin-Starry staining showed these colonies to be composed of entangled spirochetes that invaded the submucosa and frequently were present transmurally. Similar organisms were identified by Warthin-Starry staining in the cecum of a juvenile rhea from a fourth flock that histologically had mild lymphocytic typhlitis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a spirochete in the ceca. Anaerobic culture yielded a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic spirochete. Coccidia, histomonads, and Salmonella spp. were consistently absent.
Sagartz
J E
JE
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Swayne
D E
DE
Eaton
K A
KA
Hayes
J R
JR
Amass
K D
KD
Wack
R
R
Kramer
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001717:Birds; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003092:Colitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009336:Necrosis; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013145:Spirochaetales Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology