General information about megabacteriosis in rhea

Abstract

Megabacteriosis is a disease caused by a large (30 mm to 60 mm), elongated, Gram-positive, PAS-positive microorganism, whose taxonomy is under debate, but is believed to be related to the Lactobacillus family. The symptomatology commonly observed in rhea, the diagnosis, described treatments with antibiotics and above all the early detection of the agent and its prevention are reported. Prevention by means of a closed shed rearing system has been the only effective control measure so far.