HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Olson, E. J. Articles by Dubey, J.P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Olson, E. J. Articles by Dubey, J.P.

Sarcocystis sp.-associated meningoencephalitis in a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Correspondence: ¹Corresponding Author: Erik J. Olson, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine/Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1333 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, e-mail: olso1183{at}umn.edu

Protozoal meningoencephalitis is uncommon in raptors. An adult female bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was euthanized after several months of treatment for progressive neurologic signs. The predominant histologic lesion was lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic meningoencephalitis involving the cerebrum and cerebellum. There was a marked segmental loss of granular cells and Purkinje cells, as well as segmental atrophy of the molecular layer in the cerebellum. Protozoal merozoites and schizonts were observed in the gray matter of the cerebellum. Ultrastructurally, the merozoites were classified as a species of Sarcocystis due to the lack of rhoptries. Immunohistochemistry of the agent revealed a positive reaction for Sarcocystis neurona, while sections were negative for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Sarcocystis sp. infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in bald eagles with chronic neurologic disease.

Key Words: Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) • immunohistochemistry • meningoencephalitis • Sarcocystis sp. infection