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Case Reports
. 2018 Aug 10;80(8):1255-1258.
doi: 10.1292/jvms.18-0072. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

The first clinical cases of Haemoproteus infection in a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) and a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) at a zoo in the Republic of Korea

Seung-Hun Lee  1   2 , Dongmi Kwak  1 , Kyoo-Tae Kim  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

The first clinical cases of Haemoproteus infection in a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) and a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) at a zoo in the Republic of Korea

Seung-Hun Lee et al. J Vet Med Sci. .

Abstract

This study reports two clinical cases of avian haemosporidian infection caused by a Haemoproteus sp., involving a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) and a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), at a zoo. The snowy owl died after presenting with anorexia, depression and lethargy. A blood smear with Wright's staining confirmed Haemoproteus infection. Necropsy of the snowy owl revealed hypertrophy of the internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, kidney and adrenal glands. The goshawk showed anorexia, depression and a lowered head position, and was diagnosed with a Haemoproteus infection based on a blood smear. The goshawk was completely cured by treatment with a combination of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. Both cases showed decreased erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit values on complete blood count.

Keywords: Accipiter gentilis; Bubo scandiacus; Haemoproteus infection; avian malaria; captive bird.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Haemoproteus infection in a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) and a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). (A) A snowy owl presenting with lethargy, dullness and anorexia before death. Necropsy of the snowy owl showed (B) discoloration of the liver and enlargement of the gall bladder, (C) congestion and hemorrhage of the proventriculus, (D) fat infiltration in the epicardium (dark arrows) and fibrous inflammation at the apex of the heart (dark circle). A blood smear, stained with Wright’s solution, of the (E) snowy owl and (F) goshawk. Arrows (E, F) indicate Haemoproteus infection in erythrocytes.
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