Malaria in a captive emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) from Florida

Severe anemia and intraerythrocytic stages of an unusual Plasmodium sp. were identified in the blood of a 5-month-old female emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) that had a 4-week history of malaise. Examination of blood taken 3 days prior to the death of the bird revealed a packed cell volume of 10%. Erythrocytes showed a marked regenerative response. Approximately 4% of erythrocytes had intracytoplasmic inclusions, mainly within immature cells, resembling malarial parasites. The schizonts were a combination of the Haemamoeba and Huffia subgenera type with 8-16 merozoites in mature forms. The gametoctyes were elongate. The abnormal morphology was probably a reflection of a new host-parasite relationship. Exoerythrocytic parasite stages were not identified at necropsy. The anemia was tentatively attributed to the Plasmodium infection.