Cerebrospinal nematodiasis in pheasants.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Parasitology
• Avian Pathology

Background:

• Baylisascaris procyonis, a raccoon ascarid, can cause larval migrans.
• Neurologic disease outbreaks in commercial poultry require identification of causative agents and transmission routes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of chronic neurologic disease in young pheasants on a commercial farm.
• To identify the source of Baylisascaris procyonis infection in the pheasant flock.

Main Methods:

• Histopathologic examination of affected pheasant brains.
• Correlation of disease onset with environmental changes, specifically bedding material.
• Identification of Baylisascaris procyonis eggs in fecal samples from contaminated bedding.

Main Results:

• Histologic lesions in pheasant brains showed necrosis and inflammation associated with Baylisascaris larvae.
• Disease incidence (1-2% of birds) correlated with the introduction of chopped straw bedding.
• Raccoon feces containing Baylisascaris procyonis eggs were found in the contaminated straw.

Conclusions:

• Baylisascaris procyonis larval infection was the cause of neurologic disease in the pheasants.
• Contaminated straw bedding served as the source of infection.
• Cessation of using contaminated straw eliminated the disease, confirming the transmission pathway.