Fatal sarcosporidiosis in a passerine of species Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

Sarcosporidiose fatal em pássaro-preto (Gnorimopsar chopi chopi)

Pássaro-preto; melro; sarcosporidiose; Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

Sarcosporidiosis; passerine; Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

COMMUNICATION

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Fatal sarcosporidiosis in a passerine of species Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

[Sarcosporidiose fatal em pássaro-preto (Gnorimopsar chopi chopi)]

N.R.S. Martins, J.S. Resende, M.A. Jorge, E.C. Moreira, A.A. Fernandes

Escola de Veterinária da UFMG

Caixa Postal 567

30123-970 - Belo Horizonte, MG

Recebido para publicação em 11 de maio de 2001.

Recebido para publicação, após modificações, em 31 de agosto de 2001

E-mail: [e-mail]

A severe fatal case of sarcosporidiosis in passerine of species Gnorimopsar chopi chopi (pássaro-preto) is described. The disease was clinically characterized by a progressive respiratory distress, which was manifested by a rapid shallow respiration, prostration and unresponsiveness, culminating with permanent lateral recumbency. The respiratory distress clinically oriented for the suspicion of a respiratory-based disease such as pulmonary mycosis. The bird died after two days of the arrival at the laboratory despite glucose, vitamin plus mineral (Protovitâ) given orally in water.

At necropsy the very prominent muscular alterations were immediately seen and may be observed in Figure 1. Lesions were seen in all skeletal muscles and included the muscles of syrinx, probably reducing the vocal ability of the bird.

Gnorimopsar chopi chopi is an entirely black shiny feathered non-amazonian South American species captured from the wild in Brazil for its singing abilities. Its natural occurrence includes the Brazilian Northeast, Central, West and South being endangered in Central and South Brazil.

Sarcosporidiosis in birds is caused by a number of species of phylum Apicomplexa, family Sarcocystidae protozoa of genus Sarcocystis, characterized by the formation of whitish elongated smooth-walled zoites-containing cysts or pseudocysts with their long axis in parallel to muscle fibers. The parasite requires a two vertebrate host life cycle in which a carnivorous predator or scavenger (definitive host) harbors sexual and asexual reproduction in the intestines and via fecal contamination is transferred to its prey, an avian intermediate host (Springer, 1997; Asterino, 1996).

RESUMO

Relata-se um caso fatal de sarcosporidiose em pássaro-preto (melro), Gnorimopsar chopi chopi, caracterizado por intensa prostração, respiração superficial e decúbito lateral. Embora não tenham sido observadas alterações significativas no sistema respiratório, o quadro clínico confundia-se com doença nesse sistema, em decorrência do comprometimento dos músculos ligados à respiração.

Palavras-chave: Pássaro-preto, melro, sarcosporidiose, Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

Keywords: Sarcosporidiosis, passerine, Gnorimopsar chopi chopi

• ASTERINO, R. Diseases and care of wild passerines. In: ROSSKOPF, W.; WOERPEL, R. (Ed.), Diseases of cage and aviary birds. 3.ed., Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1996. p. 965-980.
• SPRINGER, W.T. Protozoa/other blood and tissue protozoa. In: CALNEK, B.W. et al. (Ed.). Diseases of poultry. Ames: Iowa State University, 1997. p.900-911.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  22 July 2002
• Date of issue
  Feb 2002

History

• Accepted
  31 Aug 2001
• Received
  11 May 2001