Disseminated toxoplasmosis in black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus).
Three 1- to 3-mo-old black-footed penguins (Spheniscus Demersus) died within 24 hr of showing central nervous signs such as ataxia. The birds were housed in a baby penguin crèche. At necropsy, peritonitis, pneumonia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and renomegaly were evident. Histologically, the liver, lung, brain, and small intestine contained numerous tachyzoites and a few cysts of Toxoplasma. Immunohistochemistry identified the protozoal parasites as Toxoplasma gondii. Ultrastructurally, this was confirmed by the presence of many tachyzoites of T. gondii in the liver and lungs.
Department of Pathobiology, Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Margreet
M
Ploeg
Ton
T
Ultee
Marja
M
Kik
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D046429:Spheniscidae; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000473:pathology*