CASES OF SPIROCHETE-ASSOCIATED NECROTIZING TYPHLITIS IN CAPTIVE COMMON RHEAS (RHEA-AMERICANA)

Ceca from greater or common rheas (Rhea americana) with gastrointestin al disease were collected from diagnostic labs and avian pathologists across the United States. The ceca were evaluated for the presence of spirochetes and necrosis using hematoxylin and eosin stain or Warthin- Starry silver-stained tissue sections and anaerobic culture. Spirochet e-associated necrotizing typhlitis was documented in II scares. Most c ases were reported in the summer and fall and occurred in rheas less t han 5 mo of age. Spirochetes isolated from ceca with necrosis were eit her strongly or weakly beta-hemolytic. All spirochetes isolated from c eca without necrosis were weakly beta-hemolytic. Rheas might be host t o both pathogenic and nonpathogenic spirochetes.