Publications

A nested PCR was developed for detection of the Clostridium botulinum type C1 toxin gene in sediments collected from wetlands where avian botulism outbreaks had or had not occurred. The C1 toxin gene was detected in 16 of 18 sites, demonstrating both the ubiquitous distribution of C. botulinum type C in wetland sediments and the sensitivity of the detection assay.

Organophosphorus and carbamate compounds have largely replaced chlorinated hydrocarbons for pesticidal use in the United States, and many cases of poisoning resulting from exposure to these anticholinesterase agents have occurred in free-living birds. Although lead shot has been prohibited for waterfowl hunting throughout the United States since 1991, lead poisoning from the ingestion of...

Sarcocystis is a nonfatal, usually asymptomatic infection that is caused by a parasitic protozoan. Various species of this parasite affect mammals, reptiles, and birds. The most commonly reported species of the parasite in North America is Sarcocystis rileyi, the species most commonly found in waterfowl.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is caused by infection with an RNA virus classified in the family Togaviridae. The virus is also referred to as an “arbovirus” because virus replication takes place within mosquitoes that then transmit the disease agent to vertebrate hosts such as birds and mammals, including humans. The term arbovirus is shortened nomenclature for arthropod (insect)...

Coccidia are a complex and diverse group of protozoan (single-celled organisms) parasites; the coccidia group contains many species, most of which do not cause clinical disease. In birds, most disease-causing or pathogenic forms of coccidia parasites belong to the genus Eimeria. Coccidia usually invade the intestinal tract, but some invade other organs, such as the liver and kidney (see...

We review recent research on the pathology, ecology, and biogeography of two emerging infectious wildlife diseases, chytridiomycosis and ranaviral disease, in the context of host-parasite population biology. We examine the role of these diseases in the global decline of amphibian populations and propose hypotheses for the origins and impact of these panzootics. Finally, we discuss...

Avian cholera is one of the most important diseases affecting waterfowl in North America, but little is known about its ecology and its impact on waterfowl populations. We documented avian cholera mortality in breeding lesser snow geese (Chen c. caerulescens) at the Egg River colony on Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1995 and 1996. Area of the breeding colony, core...

Avian cholera, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, is one of the most important diseases affecting waterfowl in North America but little is known about the epizootiology of this disease or its impacts on annual survival rates. We ringed Lesser Snow Geese Anser caerulescens nesting at Wrangel Island, Russia and Banks Island, Canada with metal rings and individually coded...

Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungi, is the primary cause of candidiasis or candidiosis. C. albicans is a normal inhabitant of the human alimentary canal, as well as that of many species of lower animals. Ingestion in food or in water is the usual means for its transmission. Contaminated environments, such as litter from poultry and gamebird rearing facilities, refuse disposal areas...

As for other types of disease, fungal infections probably are more common causes of disease in wild birds than is currently recognized. Also, the similarity in gross lesions produced by some fungi mask the detection of less common fungi as disease agents. Numerous types of disease-causing fungi in addition to Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans have been isolated from birds; most...

Euthanasia means to cause humane death. Some current euthanasia techniques may become unacceptable over time and be replaced by new techniques as more data are gathered and evaluated. The following information and recommendations are based largely on the 1993 report of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia. The recommendations in the panel report were...

Procedures for shipping specimens vary with different disease diagnostic laboratories. Therefore, it is important to contact the receiving laboratory and obtain specific shipping instructions. This will facilitate processing of specimens when they reach the laboratory and assure that the quality of specimens is not compromised. Time spent on field investigation, specimen collection, and...