Toxoplasmosis in a colony of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps).
Eleven of a group of 16 sugar gliders died acutely over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Histopathologic examination revealed a protozoal infection with tachyzoites present in multiple organs, including the intestine, heart, brain, spleen, pancreas, adrenal gland, and kidney. Immunostaining confirmed disseminated toxoplasmosis. Marsupials are susceptible to toxoplasmosis. It was thought that the sugar gliders acquired the infection through foraging in wood chips used as a substrate that were contaminated with feline fecal material.
Barrows
Michelle
M
Johannesburg Zoo, Houghton 2041, Johannesburg, South Africa. vet@jhbzoo.org.za
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology