Probable herpesvirus infection in an eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus).

One wild eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin was necropsied. The lungs contained numerous multifocal, circumscribed, tan foci; the spleen was markedly enlarged and had a mottled reddish tan color; and the brain had a red to tan friable tract in the left hemisphere. Microscopically, the lung had a severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The bronchiolitis was characterized by epithelial cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. The encephalomalacia of the left cerebral cortex featured tissue disruption and astrocytes or neurons containing intranuclear inclusion bodies. Herpesvirus particles were found within the bronchiolar epithelial cells. Based on histopathological and ultrastructural findings, a herpesvirus seemed the most likely etiologic agent.     

Eimeria juniataensis sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the map turtle, Graptemys Geographica, in Pennsylvania.

Eimeria juniataensis sp. n. is described from the map turtle, Graptemys geographica, in Pennsylvania. The spherical to subspherical oocysts of E. juniataensis are 11.5 to 18.5 mu by 11.5 to 16.5 mu (mean, 13.5 by 12.9mu). The broadly fusiform sporocysts are 7.5 to 10 mu by 4 to 6.5 mu (mean, 8.3 by 5.0mu) and a Stieda body is present. Oocyst and sporocyst residua are present. This is the first report of an eimerian species from Graptemys.     

Tyzzer's disease in free-living cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) in Maryland

Complement-fixing (CF) antibody to Bacillus piliformis antigen was found in 9 of 14 (64%) serum samples obtained from cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) killed in the wild. CF antibody was not present in the serum of 8 cottontail rabbits trapped as juveniles in the same geographic areas and held in captivity for 4 years. Sero-negative cottontail rabbits died acutely with lesions typical of Tyzzer's disease following the intragastric administration of 10(3.8) ELD50 of B. piliformis spores. The possible influence of Tyzzer's disease upon the cyclic population pattern of cottontail rabbits in the wild is discussed. A hypothesis is presented that B. piliformis spores passed in the feces of diseased wild animals could contaminate pastures, hay and grain, and thereby serve as sources of infection to other animals.     

In vitro host erythrocyte specificity and differential morphology of Babesia divergens and a zoonotic Babesia sp. from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus)

A Babesia sp. isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) is morphologically similar and genetically identical, based on SSU rRNA gene comparisons, to 2 agents responsible for human babesiosis in the United States. This zoonotic agent is closely related to the European parasite, Babesia divergens. The 2 organisms were characterized by in vitro comparisons. In vitro growth of the rabbit Babesia sp. was supported in human and cottontail rabbit erythrocytes, but not in bovine cells. Babesia divergens was supported in vitro in bovine and human erythrocytes, but not in cottontail rabbit cells. Morphometric analysis classifies B. divergens as a small babesia in bovine erythrocytes, but the parasite exceeds this size in human erythrocytes. The rabbit Babesia sp. is large, the same size in both human or rabbit erythrocytes, and is significantly larger than B. divergens. Eight or more rabbit Babesia sp. parasites may occur within a single erythrocyte, sometimes in a floret array, unlike B. divergens. The erythrocyte specificity and morphological differences reported in this study agree with previous in vivo results and validate the use of in vitro methods for characterization of Babesia species.     

Eimeria dalli sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Dall Sheep Ovis dalli

Eimeria dalli sp. n. is described from fecal samples collected from Dall sheep, Ovis dalli, from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The oocysts are spherical or subspherical with mean dimensions of 43.7 × 37.4 μm. The outer oocyst wall is rough and irregular. No micropyle, micropylar cap or residuum was observed. Sporocysts were elongate ovoid with mean dimensions of 19.0 × 10.7 μm. Stieda bodies were not discernible.     

Eimeria reedi sp. n. and E. chobotari sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Heteromyid Rodents

SYNOPSIS The oocysts of 2 new species of Eimeria are described from heteromyid rodents. The subspherical to ellipsoidal cocysts of Eimeria reedi from Perognathus formosus averaged 22.6 by 20.8 μ. An ellipsoidal polar granule was present. The oocyst residuum was a single globule about 8 μ in diameter. The ovoid sporocysts averaged 10.9 by 7.7 μ and had a residuum of 6-12 granules. A Stieda body and substiedal body were present in the sporocysts. Eimeria chobotari oocysts, from Dipodomys merriami and D. microps , were ellipsoidal to ovoid and averaged 47.7 by 35.2 μ. No polar granule was seen. The large oocyst residuum consisted of several granules of various sizes. The ovoid sporocysts averaged 15.8 by 11.3 μ and had a residuum of many small granules. A Stieda body and substiedal body were present in the sporocysts.     

Eimeria clethrionomysis sp. n., Eimeria gallatii sp. n., Eimeria pileata sp. n. and Eimeria marconii sp. n. from the red-backed vole Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors, from Pennsylvania.

Four new eimerian species are described from red-backed voles, Clethrionomys gapperi in Pennsylvania. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria clethrionomyis sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 18.8 (16.5-21.5) x 14.9 (14.0-16.5) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 10.6 (9.5-12.0) x6.1 (5.5-7.0). The oocyst wall is smooth, with 2 layers, and thins, with terminal cap at one or both ends. Polar granules, dark Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The oocyst residuum is absent. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria gallatii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 27.7 (21-32) x 19.3 (17-24) with ovoid sporocysts, 13.5 (12-15) x 8.8 (8-10). The oocyst wall is smooth, 2-layered, with a micropyle and thin wall at the end opposite the micropyle. Polar granules, Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The oocyst residuum is atypical, of cobwebby material. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria pileata sp. n. are subspherical to spherical, 25.2 (20.5-29.5) x 22.5 (19.5-25.5) with ellipsoidal sporocysts, 13.4(10.5-15.0) x 8.4 (7.5-9.5). The oocyst wall is rough, pitted, striated, 2-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, oocyst and sporocyst residuum, Stieda body and stiedal cap are present. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria marconii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 13.0 (10.5-15-0) x 10.6 (9.5-12.0) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 7.7 (7.0-8.5) x 4.2 (3.0-4.5). The oocyst wall is smooth, single-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, dark Stiedal body and sporocyst residuum are present. There is no oocyst residuum.     

Eimeria yukonensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the Arctic Ground Squirrel Spermophilus undulatus

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria yukonensis sp. n. is described from the Arctic ground squirrel Spermophilus undulatus. The sporulated oocysts are elongate-ellipsoidal, averaging 24.5 by 13.3 μ. A micropyle is present but an oocyst residuum and polar body are absent. The ovoid sporocysts average 10.9 by 5.9 μ. The sporocyst residuum is ellipsoidal to spheroidal.     

Eimeria gastrosauris n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the stomach epithelium of Australian geckoes

Eimeria gastrosauris n. sp. exhibited endogenous development in the stomach lining and secretory epithelia of Heteronotia binoei from the Mt Isa region, northern Queensland. Morphologically similar coccidians were found in the stomach of Oedura monilis from the Mt Speke region, northern Queensland. Oöcysts were oblong-ellipsoids, with bivalved sporocysts, two distinct residua and endogenous sporulation. Oöcysts of similar shape and size were also found in faeces of Gehyra australis from the Townsville region of northern Queensland. Developmental stages, consisting of meronts, merozoites, microgamonts, macrogamonts and developing oöcysts, were observed in H. binoei and O. monilis, and are described.     

Eimeria aurati n. sp. (Protozoa:Eimeriidae) from Goldfish (Carassius auratus) in North America

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria aurati n. sp. is described from the intestine of the goldfish, Carassius auratus , from Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Oocysts were very numerous in long, whitish, opaque fecal casts. They were 16 to 24 by 14 to 17 μ (mean, 20.1 by 16.3) and were non-sporulated when passed but sporulated 2 to 5 days later.