Sarcocystis-associated encephalitis and myocarditis in a wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

J Parasitol. 1998 Jun;84(3):661-3.

Abstract

A Sarcocystis-like organism was associated with encephalitis and myocarditis in an ataxic, emaciated adult male turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) from Gilmer County, West Virginia. Protozoal schizonts and merozoites were associated with areas of inflammation and occasionally necrosis in both the heart and the brain. The organisms divided by endopolygeny and stained positively with anti-Sarcocystis cruzi serum in an immunohistochemical test.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology*
  • Bird Diseases / pathology
  • Brain / parasitology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Encephalitis / parasitology
  • Encephalitis / pathology
  • Encephalitis / veterinary*
  • Heart / parasitology
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / parasitology
  • Myocarditis / parasitology
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Myocarditis / veterinary*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Sarcocystis / immunology
  • Sarcocystis / isolation & purification
  • Sarcocystosis / parasitology
  • Sarcocystosis / pathology
  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary*
  • Turkeys / parasitology*

Substances

  • Immune Sera