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Fatal Ichthyocotylurus erraticus infestation in Inca terns (Larosterna inca) in a zoological collection
Avian Diseases
|July 25, 2014
Summary
A lethal Ichthyocotylurus erraticus infestation caused by feeding unfrozen fish led to the deaths of 14 Inca terns (Larosterna inca). This parasitic infection resulted in severe hemorrhagic enteritis, marking the first reported case in this species.
Area of Science:
- Avian pathology
- Parasitology
- Wildlife health
Background:
- Inca terns (Larosterna inca) are susceptible to parasitic infections.
- Dietary practices in captive bird populations can influence disease outbreaks.
Observation:
- Fourteen Inca terns died with no prior signs of illness, exhibiting only poor body condition and a bloody cloaca.
- Necropsy revealed severe segmental hemorrhagic enteritis with trematodes in the duodenum.
- Histopathology confirmed parasite presence and inflammatory cell infiltration.
Findings:
- The trematode was identified as Ichthyocotylurus erraticus, a parasite typically found in fish-eating birds.
- The infestation was linked to the consumption of unfrozen, fresh fish.
- This represents the first documented lethal case of Ichthyocotylurus erraticus in Inca terns.
Implications:
- Highlights the risk of feeding raw, unfrozen fish to fish-eating birds.
- Emphasizes the importance of parasite surveillance in captive avian populations.
- Informs veterinary care and husbandry practices for Inca terns and similar species.
