Disseminated protozoal infection in a wild feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) in Australia

This is the first report of a disseminated protozoal infection in a wild feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from south-eastern Australia. The glider was found dead in poor body condition. Histologically, large numbers of zoites were seen predominantly in macrophages in the liver, spleen and lun...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Peter H. Holz, Anson V. Koehler, Robin B. Gasser, Elizabeth Dobson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-12-01
Series:International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224420300766
Description
Summary:This is the first report of a disseminated protozoal infection in a wild feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from south-eastern Australia. The glider was found dead in poor body condition. Histologically, large numbers of zoites were seen predominantly in macrophages in the liver, spleen and lung, with protozoal cysts present in the liver. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses inferred that the protozoan parasite belongs to the family Sarcocystidae and is closely related to previously identified apicomplexans found in yellow-bellied gliders (Petaurus australis) in Australia and southern mouse opossums (Thylamys elegans) in Chile.
ISSN:2213-2244