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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field
Published on: August 2, 2011
AIR SAC TREMATODES (CYCLOCOELIDAE STOSSICH, 1902) INFECTING BIRDS IN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
Ellis C Greiner1, Dawn M Zimmerman2, Kristina M Delaski3
1Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA, ellisgreiner2@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Air sac trematodes (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) were detected in 23 avian species from eight aviaries in the United States. Most of the infected host species were passeriform birds, but a few species in other orders also were infected. Four species of adult flukes were encountered: Circumvitellatrema momota, Morishitium sp., Psophiatrema greineri, and Szidatitrema yamagutii. Findings from retrospective review of medical records, necropsy records, and author observations are presented. Potential terrestrial snail intermediate hosts were collected from three indoor aviaries. A high prevalence (47%) of larval trematode infections was demonstrated in one species of nonnative snail (Prosopeas achatinacea); one larva was isolated and matched to the adult species (C. momota) from birds using PCR. Problems with introducing potentially infected wild-caught birds into aviaries, and exchanging captive individuals between aviaries where they potentially may carry infections, are discussed.
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