Megabacteriosis as a cause of high mortality in rhea charabons (Rhea americana)

first diagnosis in Uruguay

Abstract

Necropsies in Rhea chicks were carried out in 10 different breeding farms counties in Uruguay in order to determine the cause of the high mortality in this category. In accordance to the frequent observation of alterations in the muscular and glandular stomaches, we decided to take smears from affected areas. These smears were coloured with the Giemsa staining method and were examined under a 400x optic microscope magnification. These observations showed the presence of a microorganism which, due to its size and morphology, is known as Megabacteria, being the first diagnosis of the disease in Uruguay. This diagnosis was confirmed in 472 necropsies, from a total of 546, carried out in only one breeding farm. Furthermore, we collected material from the intestines through hyssops, and we cultured them with CHRO Magar medium, in order to determine Salmonella spp. and E. coli. All the results were negative to the presence of this bacterias. We conclude that megabacteriosis would be one of the causes of high mortality in Rhea chicks.