Non-West Nile virus-associated mortality in a population of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos): a gross and histopathologic study

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2010 Mar;22(2):289-95. doi: 10.1177/104063871002200223.

Abstract

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a common urban and rural inhabitant of the Northeast and Midwest United States that is commonly infected with West Nile virus (WNV). The current study was initiated to determine non-WNV-associated causes of mortality in the American crow. All animals (40/40) tested negative for WNV infection via polymerase chain reaction and had no evidence of infection based on immunohistochemistry. Common gross necropsy findings included external trauma (6/40), hepatosplenomegaly (6/40), poxviral dermatitis (5/40), and pneumonia (3/40). Common histologic findings included endoparasitism (32/40), multifocal hepatic and splenic necrosis (7/40), pigment accumulation in the spleen (5/40), and disseminated bacterial infection (3/40). The most significant and debilitating diseases included fungal pneumonia and poxvirus-associated lesions. The present report increases the knowledge of diseases present in the American crow population.

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / mortality
  • Abscess / pathology
  • Abscess / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / mortality*
  • Bird Diseases / pathology
  • Crows*
  • Filariasis / mortality
  • Filariasis / pathology
  • Filariasis / veterinary
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / mortality
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / veterinary
  • Pneumonia / mortality
  • Pneumonia / pathology
  • Pneumonia / veterinary
  • Poxviridae Infections / mortality
  • Poxviridae Infections / pathology
  • Poxviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Ulcer / mortality
  • Ulcer / pathology
  • Ulcer / veterinary
  • West Nile virus
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality
  • Wounds and Injuries / pathology
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary