Non-West Nile virus-associated mortality in a population of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos): a gross and histopathologic study.
The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a common urban and rural inhabitant of the Northeast and Midwest United States that is commonly infected with West Nile virus (WNV). The current study was initiated to determine non-WNV-associated causes of mortality in the American crow. All animals (40/40) tested negative for WNV infection via polymerase chain reaction and had no evidence of infection based on immunohistochemistry. Common gross necropsy findings included external trauma (6/40), hepatosplenomegaly (6/40), poxviral dermatitis (5/40), and pneumonia (3/40). Common histologic findings included endoparasitism (32/40), multifocal hepatic and splenic necrosis (7/40), pigment accumulation in the spleen (5/40), and disseminated bacterial infection (3/40). The most significant and debilitating diseases included fungal pneumonia and poxvirus-associated lesions. The present report increases the knowledge of diseases present in the American crow population.
Miller
Andrew D
AD
Harvard Medical School, Division of Comparative Pathology, New England Primate Research Center, One Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, USA. Andrew_Miller@hms.harvard.edu
Townsend
Andrea K
AK
McGowan
Kevin J
KJ
Clark
Anne B
AB
Glaser
Amy L
AL
Patrican
Lisa A
LA
Dobson
Elizabeth
E
Buckles
Elizabeth L
EL
D000038:Abscess / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D046368:Crows; D005368:Filariasis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014456:Ulcer / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014902:West Nile virus; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary