Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Avian Semen Collection by Cloacal Massage and Isolation of DNA from Sperm
Published on: February 5, 2018
Otitis media associated with Cryptosporidium baileyi in a Saker falcon (Falco cherrug)
P A Bougiouklis1, H Weissenböck, A Wells
1Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract:
A 7-week-old male Saker falcon died with a history of severe refractory dyspnoea and respiratory signs. Microscopical lesions included moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic inflammation of the middle ears, conjunctivae, third eyelids, choanae, salivary glands of the tongue, turbinates, larynx, trachea, syrinx and bronchi. The lesions were associated with variable numbers of Cryptosporidium spp., further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and in-situ hybridization. Cryptosporidium baileyi was identified by DNA sequence analysis. C. baileyi may therefore be a cause of otitis media in raptors as it is in man. It is most likely that the middle ears of the Saker falcon acquired the infection through the eustachian tubes that originate near the pharynx in the oral cavity. This is the first description of otitis media associated with C. baileyi in a bird or a mammal except man.
Insights
Cryptosporidium baileyi caused severe respiratory disease and otitis media in a Saker falcon. This finding highlights a potential new disease in raptors, linking a parasite to middle ear infections.
Area of Science:
- Avian Pathology
- Parasitology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Cryptosporidium spp. are known enteric and respiratory pathogens in various hosts.
- Otitis media is a significant condition in both human and veterinary medicine.
Observation:
- A 7-week-old Saker falcon presented with severe dyspnea and respiratory distress.
- Histopathology revealed lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in multiple respiratory and ocular tissues, including the middle ears.
- Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. was confirmed via microscopy, electron microscopy, and in-situ hybridization.
Findings:
- DNA sequence analysis identified the causative agent as Cryptosporidium baileyi.
- This is the first documented case of Cryptosporidium baileyi-associated otitis media in a bird.
- The infection likely occurred via the eustachian tubes connecting the pharynx to the middle ear.
Implications:
- Cryptosporidium baileyi should be considered a potential cause of otitis media in raptors.
- This discovery expands the known host range and pathological manifestations of C. baileyi.
- Understanding this transmission route is crucial for diagnosing and managing similar cases in avian populations.
More Related Videos
05:23Use of Fluorescent Immuno-Chemistry for the detection of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish (I. punctatus) samples
Published on: May 10, 2011
06:49Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
Published on: March 14, 2014
