GRANULOMATOUS FILARIAL ENCEPHALOMYELITIS CAUSED BY CHANDLERELLA QUISCALI IN A NORTHERN CRESTED CARACARA (CARACARA CHERIWAY)

Abstract

A northern crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) was presented after being found nonambulatory in a field. On physical examination, the bird had severe hind-limb paresis. The bird did not improve after 10 days of hospitalization and was euthanized. Histologic examination of the cerebrum and spinal cord revealed multiple adult filarial nematodes surrounded by granulomatous inflammation with several multinucleated giant cells. These parasites were confirmed to be Chandlerella quiscali with polymerase chain reaction. This is the first report of C. quiscali in a bird of prey.

Keywords: Avian; Caracara cheriway; Chandlerella quiscali; encephalomyelitis; northern crested caracara.