Evidence for cryptosporidial infection as a cause of prolapse of the phallus and cloaca in ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus)

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Authors

Bezuidenhout, A.J. (Abraham Johannes), 1942-
Burger, W.P.
Putterill, John Fraser

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Published by the Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute

Abstract

Cloacas of male ostrich chicks that had suffered prolapse of the phallus and cloaca were compared with cloacas of normal ostrich chicks of both sexes from the same area. Heavy infection of the cloacal and bursal tissue with Cryptosporidium sp. was present in all the cases of prolapse, while no cryptosporidia were observed in the normal chicks. Histopathological lesions as described in cryptosporidial infection in other species were present in the infected cloacas. These included loss of the microvillous border and epithelial hyperplasia, and degeneration, which was indicated ultrastructurally by vacuolation of the apical cytoplasm, swelling of organelles, and nuclear changes. It is suggested that these lesions, in combination with the anatomy of the male ostrich cloaca, may be responsible for prolapse of the phallus and cloaca.

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Keywords

Veterinary medicine

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Penrith, ML, Bezuidenhout, AJ, Burger, WP & Putterill, JF 1994, 'Evidence for cryptosporidial infection as a cause of prolapse of the phallus and cloaca in ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus)', Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 283-289.