Necrotizing typhlocolitis associated with a spirochete in rheas (Rhea americana)
1992
Sagartz, J.E. | Swayne, D.E. | Eaton, K.A. | Hayes, J.R. | Amass, K.D. | Wack, R. | Kramer, L.
Necrotizing typhlocolitis was diagnosed in 13 juvenile common rheas (Rhea americana) from three separate and geographically isolated Ohio flocks, with mortality ranging from 25% to 80%. At postpartum examination, a diphtheritic membrane covered ulcerated cecal mucosa. Histologically, cecal sections showed necrosis and granulomatous to-suppurative inflammation that extended into the submucosa and often surrounded large eosinophilic colonies of bacteria. Warthin-Starry staining showed these colonies to be composed of entangled spirochetes that invaded the submucosa and frequently were present transmurally. Similar organisms were identified by Warthin-Starry staining in the cecum of a juvenile rhea from a fourth flock that histologically had mild lymphocytic typhlitis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a spirochete in the ceca, Anaerobic culture yielded a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic spirochete. Coccidia, histomonads, and Salmonella spp. were consistently absent,
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