Avian botulism and avian chlamydiosis in wild water birds, Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
By: , and 

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Abstract

In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, conducted a diagnostic investigation into a water bird mortality event involving intoxication with avian botulism type C and infection with avian chlamydiosis at the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, USA. Of 24 carcasses necropsied, 11 had lesions consistent with avian chlamydiosis, including two that tested positive for infectious Chlamydophila psittaci, and 12 were positive for avian botulism type C. One bird tested positive for both avian botulism type C and C. psittaci. Of 61 apparently healthy water birds sampled and released, 13 had serologic evidence of C. psittaci infection and 7 were, at the time of capture, shedding infectious C. psittaci via the cloacal or oropharyngeal route. Since more routinely diagnosed disease conditions may mask avian chlamydiosis, these findings support the need for a comprehensive diagnostic investigation when determining the cause of a wildlife mortality event.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Avian botulism and avian chlamydiosis in wild water birds, Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA
Series title Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
DOI 10.1638/2011-0200R1.1
Volume 43
Issue 4
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 4 p.
First page 885
Last page 888
Country United States
Other Geospatial Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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