Bald Eagles Luiza Assis Andrew Dietrich Simla Sahin

Case Juvenile male was found in distress Juvenile male was found in distress No evidence of injury No evidence of injury Initially responded to supportive care in the first week Initially responded to supportive care in the first week Developed respiratory distress and died Developed respiratory distress and died Juvenile eagle

Results of Necropsy Weighed 3.5 kg. Weighed 3.5 kg. Gross lesions were present on the liver, which was enlarged. Gross lesions were present on the liver, which was enlarged. Congested lungs Congested lungs Undefined nematode in the small intestines. Undefined nematode in the small intestines. Inflamed lungs, heart, and liver Inflamed lungs, heart, and liver

Figure 1 Sections of the heart stained with: Sections of the heart stained with: T. gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Neospora caninum polyclonal rabbit antibodies T. gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Neospora caninum polyclonal rabbit antibodies Antibodies against T. gondii bradyzoites (BAG-1) Antibodies against T. gondii bradyzoites (BAG-1) Tests conducted on tissue Tests conducted on tissue Gram stained, acid fast test Gram stained, acid fast test Also, HE, GMS, and PAS Also, HE, GMS, and PAS Tissues examined under the microscope Tissues examined under the microscope

Figure 1 Necrotizing and lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis Necrotizing and lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis Perivascular cuffing of coronary vessels Perivascular cuffing of coronary vessels By lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and eosinophils By lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and eosinophils

Figure 1 Other features Other features Mild splenic lymphoid necrosis, mild lymphoplasmacytic and necrotizing periportal hepatitis, and multifocal lymphoplasmacytic bronchopneumonia Mild splenic lymphoid necrosis, mild lymphoplasmacytic and necrotizing periportal hepatitis, and multifocal lymphoplasmacytic bronchopneumonia

Figure 1 In areas of necrosis In areas of necrosis Groups of protozoa present Groups of protozoa present Protozoans Protozoans Stained + with T. gondii antibodies only Stained + with T. gondii antibodies only Some stained + with BAG-1 (presence of bradyzoites) Some stained + with BAG-1 (presence of bradyzoites)

Discussion New host record for T. gondii New host record for T. gondii T. gondii should be considered in diagnosing necrotizing myocarditis in eagles T. gondii should be considered in diagnosing necrotizing myocarditis in eagles

Questions What were the key factors that made this eagle susceptible to this infection? What were the key factors that made this eagle susceptible to this infection?

Answer to Question Juvenile Juvenile Likely exposure to cat/cat feces in the wild Likely exposure to cat/cat feces in the wild