Molecular Characterization and Pathological Findings of Syngamus trachea in Captive White Storks in University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Nigeria

O.S., Olaifa; N.F., Ogbonna; O.R., Anifowose; T.A., Jarikre; H., Awobode; O.O., Ola; B.N., Ogunro; M.O., Tijani; E.A., Adebowale; O.G., Ohore; V.O., Taiwo; A.A., Usman; T.O., Adebiyi; A.A., Alaka

doi:10.21608/javs.2025.346511.1493

Molecular Characterization and Pathological Findings of Syngamus trachea in Captive White Storks in University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Nigeria

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

¹ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

² Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

³ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

⁴ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

⁵ Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

⁶ Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

⁷ Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

10.21608/javs.2025.346511.1493

Abstract

This case report highlights the clinical presentation, postmortem findings, and diagnostic evaluation of syngamosis and severe dehydration in two white storks (Ciconia ciconia). The storks, a male and female, introduced into a zoo four months prior, succumbed to parasitic tracheitis and dehydration. Necropsy and histopathology examinations were conducted while molecular parasite identification was carried out by using species-specific primers. Parasites found were cleaned with isotonic NaCl solution, preserved in 70% ethanol, and examined under microscopes. Intestinal scrapings were used to assess parasite egg burden, and various organ tissue samples were collected and sent for histopathological examination, including the trachea, lung, heart, liver, kidney, proventriculus, ventriculus (gizzard), small and large intestines, and bursa of Fabricius. Histopathological analysis was performed through paraffin embedding and staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Necropsy revealed dehydration, cachexia, parasitic tracheitis, nephrosis, and generalized hemorrhages. Histopathological examination confirmed subacute tracheitis with goblet cell hyperplasia, pulmonary hemorrhages, and renal damage. Molecular analysis identified Syngamus trachea via amplification of the 18S rRNA gene. This case report sheds light on the clinical presentation and pathological observation in white storks diagnosed with syngamosis and severe dehydration. The identification of parasitic tracheitis underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections in avian mortality investigations. Dehydration should also be addressed as a significant factor in assessing the health of captive birds.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Parasitology

References

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