Bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections in the ostrich (Struthio camelusvar.domesticus).

The ostrich is susceptible to microorganisms of bacterial, fungal and parasitic origin. Anthrax, caused byBacillus anthracis, is dangerous to other livestock and humans.Salmonellais transmitted from rodents or wild bird reservoirs. Pausterellosis caused byPasteurella multocidaresults in air sac infections in ostriches. Colibacillosis is caused byEscherichia coli. Tuberculosis caused byMycobacterium avium, is very rare in ostriches. Aspergillosis principally afflicts chicks. Zygomycosis, a secondary fungal infection of the upper gastrointestinal tract, is caused byBasidia,MucorandRhizopus.Leucocytozoon struthionisandPlasmodiumspp. are harmless protozoa transmitted from flying arthropods. The tapeworm,Houttuynia struthionis, is dangerous in young ostriches. The adult ratite fluke (Philophthalmus gralli) is transmitted to ostriches following ingestion of infected freshwater crustaceans. Tick infestations of ostrich skin in Africa includeAmblyommaspp.,Haemaphysalis punctata,Hyalommaspp.,Rhipicephalus turanicusandArgusspp. The ostrich quillmite (Pterolichus bicaudatus) and louse (Struthioliperus struthionus) may lower skin and leather quality via pruritis and/or excessive preening and feather loss. Nemododa infections are rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]