Streptocariasis in Waterfowl (Parasitic Disease)

Diseases / List of Parasitic Diseases / Disease description:

Streptocariasis in Waterfowl

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS & PATHOLOGY

INVESTIGATION & DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT & CONTROL

SUSCEPTIBILITY & TRANSMISSION

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

Waterfowl Module Contents

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General and References

Disease Summary
WATERFOWL	Nematode infection which may cause mucosal lesions in the oesophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard and larynx/pharynx area.

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Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Streptocara infection.

(N.B. Also see: Gizzard Worm Infection)

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Disease Type

Parasitic - Roundworms

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Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease
Nematode (roundworm) Streptocara crassicauda, Streptocara spp.
Infective "Taxa"	Streptocara crassicauda Streptocara incognita Streptocara spp.
Non-infective agents	--
Physical agents	-- Indirect / Secondary

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References
Disease Author	Debra Bourne

Major References / Reviews
Code and Title List	B10.26.w1B12.55.w1, B13.36.w6, B13.46.w1, B15, B46, B78 J3.92.w1, J3.107.w3 J24.65.w1,
Other References
Code and Title List	B91 J4.99.w1

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Clinical Characteristics and Pathology

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics
General	WATERFOWL	Signs may include problems in food ingestion or in respiration, depending on the site of the necrotic/diptheritic lesions; weakness, weight loss and death.
Clinical Characteristics	WATERFOWL	Three main syndromes: OESOPHAGEAL Infection: difficulty in swallowing and weight loss may be noted prior to death. (J3.107.w3). LARYNX/PHARYNX Infection: rapid respiration, weakness, loss of appetite, sneezing may be noted, or birds found dead (J24.65.w1). GASTRIC Infection: Vomiting and weight loss (B13.46.w1); stunting and emaciation due to inability to properly grind food and therefore interference with food absorption (B12.55.w1).
Incubation	WATERFOWL	--
Mortality / Morbidity	WATERFOWL	--
Pathology	WATERFOWL	OESOPHAGEAL Infection: Ulcerative and Necrotizing oesophagitis, may form an annular ring in the oesophagus. May be associated food impaction (J3.107.w3, J24.65.w1, B10.26.w11, B15). LARYNX/PHARYNX Infection: Gross: Necrotic-diphtheritic plaque severely or totally obstructing the laryngeal opening. Nematodes found between the plaque and the underlying tissue. Minor lesions sometimes found in the oesophagus, around the choanal openings of the hard palate or in the commisures of the mouth and on the tongue. Histopathology: Mucosa of larynx and pharynx ulcerated, oedematous and containing inflammatory cell infiltrate. Overlying coagulated mass of fibrinopurulent exudate with embedded plant material and bacterial colonies (J24.65.w1). PROVENTRICULUS/GIZZARD INFECTION: May be present, usually low pathogenicity, but heavy infection may result in proliferative gastritis and damage to koilin layer, with ulceration and haemorrhage; parasites in gizzard or under mucus lining proventriculus and gizzard. (B12.55.w1, B13.36.w6, B13.46.w1, B15, B46).

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Human Health Considerations

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Susceptibility / Transmission

General information on Susceptibility / Transmission
WATERFOWL	Susceptibility: Juveniles may be more susceptible than adults. Muscovy ducks Cairina moschata may be relatively susceptible (J3.92.w1, J24.65.w1). Transmission: Daphnia and Gammarus sp. amphipods are intermediate hosts and some fish species may act as reservoir hosts (J1.92.w1, J24.65.w1, B78).

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Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:

Disease recorded in:

Muscovy duck juvenile in the U.K.; infection also recorded in a Sheldrake (Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna and domestic geese (J3.92.w1).
"Ducks" in the U.K. (J3.107.w3).
Muscovy ducklings Cairina moschata, Cayuga and other domestic duck Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, plumed whistling-duck Dendrocygna eytoni, Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa in Australia. Infections have also been noted in 'various ducks' and in magpie geese Anserana semipalmata in Australia and causing lesions in various ducks including wood duck Aix sponsa in the UK (J24.65.w1).

Infection also recorded in:

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (J4.99.w1).
Wild cinnamon teal Anas cyanoptera in southwest Texas, USA (J1.13.w6).
Anser anser domesticus - Domestic goose (Streptocara crassicauda), Anser cygnoides - Swan goose (Streptocara crassicauda), Anser cygnoides domesticus - Chinese goose (Streptocara incognita), Branta sandvicensis - Nene (Streptocara crassicauda), Cygnus columbianus - Tundra swan (Streptocara crassicauda), Cygnus cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan (Streptocara crassicauda), Tadorna ferruginea - Ruddy shelduck (Streptocara crassicauda), Tadorna tadorna - Common shelduck (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard (Streptocara crassicauda, Streptocara incognita), Anas platyrhynchos domesticus - Domestic duck (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas acuta - Northern pintail (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas angustirostris - Marbled teal (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas clypeata - Northern shoveler (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas crecca - Common teal (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas cyanoptera - Cinnamon teal (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas formosa - Baikal teal (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas penelope - Eurasian wigeon (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas querquedula - Garganey (Streptocara crassicauda), Anas strepera - Gadwall (Streptocara crassicauda), Somateria mollissima - Common eider (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya ferina - Common pochard (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya fuligula - Tufted duck (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya marila - Greater scaup (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya nyroca - Ferruginous pochard (Streptocara crassicauda), Aythya valisineria - Canvasback (Streptocara crassicauda), Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard (Streptocara crassicauda), Bucephala clangula - Common goldeneye (Streptocara crassicauda), Bucephala islandica - Barrow's goldeneye (Streptocara crassicauda, Streptocara incognita), Clangula hyemalis - Long-tailed duck (Streptocara crassicauda), Histrionicus histrionicus - Harlequin duck (Streptocara crassicauda), Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter (Streptocara crassicauda), Melanitta nigra - Black scoter (Streptocara crassicauda), Melanitta perspicillata - Surf scoter (Streptocara crassicauda), Mergus albellus - Smew (Streptocara crassicauda), Mergus cucullatus - Hooded merganser (Streptocara crassicauda), Mergus merganser - Common merganser (Streptocara crassicauda), Mergus serrator - Red-breasted merganser (Streptocara crassicauda), Oxyura jamaicensis - Ruddy duck (Streptocara crassicauda, Streptocara incognita). (B91)

WATERFOWL Host Species List

Aix sponsa - Wood duck
Anas acuta - Northern pintail
Anas clypeata - Northern shoveler
Anas crecca - Common teal
Anas cyanoptera - Cinnamon teal
Anas formosa - Baikal teal
Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus - Domestic duck
Anas penelope - Eurasian wigeon
Anas querquedula - Garganey
Anas superciliosa - Pacific black duck
Anas strepera - Gadwall
Anser anser domesticus - Domestic goose
Anser cygnoides - Swan goose
Anser cygnoides domesticus - Chinese goose
Anseranas semipalmata - Magpie goose
Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup
Aythya ferina - Common pochard
Aythya fuligula - Tufted duck
Aythya marila - Greater scaup
Aythya nyroca - Ferruginous pochard
Aythya valisineria - Canvasback
Branta sandvicensis - Nene
Bucephala clangula - Common goldeneye
Bucephala islandica - Barrow's goldeneye
Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck
Clangula hyemalis - Long-tailed duck
Cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan
Cygnus columbianus - Tundra swan
Dendrocygna eytoni - Plumed whistling-duck
Histrionicus histrionicus - Harlequin duck
Lophodytes cucullatus - Hooded merganser
Marmaronetta angustirostris - Marbled teal
Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter
Melanitta nigra - Black scoter
Melanitta perspicillata - Surf scoter
Mergellus albellus - Smew
Mergus merganser - Common merganser
Mergus serrator - Red-breasted merganser
Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard
Oxyura jamaicensis - Ruddy duck
Somateria mollissima - Common eider
Tadorna ferruginea - Ruddy shelduck
Tadorna tadorna - Common shelduck

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Disease / Agent has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:
Infection recorded in: Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (J4.99.w1). Wild cinnamon teal Anas cyanoptera in southwest Texas, USA (J1.13.w6).
WATERFOWL Host Species List	Anas cyanoptera - Cinnamon teal Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard

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Environment/Geography

General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality

Disease has been noted in late summer/early autumn (Australia), mid-winter (England) and spring (Russia) (J24.65.w1).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

Worldwide distribution; disease reported from UK, Australia, Russia (J3.92.w1, J3.107.w3, J24.65.w1, B46).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

USA (J1.13.w6, J4.99.w1).

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General Investigation / Diagnosis

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis
WATERFOWL	Clinical signs may indicate disease but identification of nematodes in association with lesions is required for diagnosis (J1.107.w3, J24.65.w1, B13.46.w1)
Related Techniques	Physical Examination - General Necropsy - General Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

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Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)
WATERFOWL	--

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Treatment and Control

Specific Medical Treatment
WATERFOWL	Mebendazole has been suggested (J3.107.w3). Levamisole may be effective (B46)
Related Techniques	Treatment and Care - General

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General Nursing and Surgical Techniques
WATERFOWL	Liquid gruel diet suggested for oesophageal infection (J3.107.w3).
Related Techniques	Treatment and Care - General

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Preventative Measures
Vaccination	WATERFOWL	--
Prophylactic Treatment	WATERFOWL	For information on routine parasite control see Preventative Medicine for Birds - Parasite screening and Routine Control Measures
Related Techniques	Treatment and Care - General
	Treatment and Care - General

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Environmental and Population Control Measures
General Environment Changes, Cleaning and Disinfection	WATERFOWL	For information on routine parasite control see Preventative Medicine for Birds - Parasite screening and Routine Control Measures.
Population Control Measures	WATERFOWL	--
Isolation, Quarantine and Screening	WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	Treatment and Care - General Preventative Medicine for Birds - General

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