title: Histopathologic and Molecular Characterization of Sarcocystis calchasi Encephalitis in White-winged Doves ( Zenaida asiatica ) and Eurasian Collared Doves ( Streptopelia decaocto ), East-central Texas, USA, 2010-13.
abstract: Sarcocystis calchasi is a recently described apicomplexan parasite that causes encephalitis in avian hosts. We diagnosed one White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica ) and two Eurasian Collared Doves ( Streptopelia decaocto ) in Texas, US, with a history of neurologic signs with protozoal encephalitis. On histologic examination, all three doves had moderate to severe meningoencephalitis characterized by large numbers of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages with gliosis and astrocytosis. Brain sections from two doves also contained numerous Mott cells. Protozoal schizonts with rosettes or clusters of individual merozoites consistent with Sarcocystis spp. were seen within areas of inflammation. Sarcocysts were also identified in the skeletal muscle of one dove. The PCR and sequencing of brain and skeletal muscle from two doves revealed 99% identity with S. calchasi. The presence of S. calchasi in fatal cases of encephalitis in doves in Texas suggests that the geographic and host ranges of S. calchasi are broader than previously reported.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4467, USA;
authors.forename: Carolyn L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hodo
authors.affiliation: 2 Antech Diagnostic, 6166 Imperial Loop, College Station, Texas 77845, USA;
authors.forename: Derick B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4458, USA;
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4467, USA;
authors.forename: Wayne V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Corapi
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4467, USA;
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Snowden
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4474 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4474, USA;
authors.forename: J Jill
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Heatley
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, 4467 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4467, USA;
authors.forename: Aline Rodrigues
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Avian; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystis calchasi; dove; encephalitis; protozoa