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. 1990 Dec;28(12):2845–2847. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.12.2845-2847.1990

Fatal encephalitis caused by Dactylaria constricta var. gallopava in a snowy owl chick (Nyctea scandiaca).

I F Salkin 1, D M Dixon 1, M E Kemna 1, P J Danneman 1, J W Griffith 1
PMCID: PMC268292  PMID: 2280022

Abstract

Dactylaria constricta var. gallopava (Cooke) Salkin et Dixon was found to cause fatal encephalitis in a 28-day-old, captivity-bred snowy owl chick (Nyctea scandiaca). The previously healthy bird suddenly developed ataxia, severe torticollis, and extensor rigidity of the legs. Since the animal did not improve with antibiotic or vitamin-mineral supplement therapy, the chick was euthanized 5 days after the onset of neurologic signs. At necropsy, all tissues except the brain were grossly normal. Cultures inoculated with blood from the brain and heart yielded a dematiaceous mould that subsequently proved to be D. constricta var. gallopava. This is the first report of natural central nervous system infection caused by D. constricta var. gallopava in a snowy owl.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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