Fatal Aberrant Parasite Migration of Echinuria uncinata in Two African Pygmy Geese (Nettapus auritus)

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Two adult African pygmy geese (Nettapus auritus) were found dead with minimal clinical disease signs. Necropsy revealed aberrant migration of the nematode parasite Echinuria uncinata, as confirmed morphologically and through DNA sequencing. This common waterfowl parasite typically lives in the proventriculus, burying headfirst into the mucosa and laying eggs into the gastrointestinal lumen. In these geese, the parasites tunneled through the gastrointestinal tract wall to invade the coelomic cavity; from which, a substantial quantity of eggs found their way into the coelomic space and into the air sacs and lungs. This potential parasite migration should be monitored for in Anseriformes species that present with similar disease conditions, and the use of Daphnia species, the intermediate host, as a waterfowl feed source is not recommended.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Avian Medicine and Surgery
Volume34
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)390-395
Number of pages6
ISSN1082-6742
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

    Research areas

  • aberrant parasite migration, African pygmy geese, avian, Echinuria uncinata, nematode, Nettapus auritus

ID: 282939434