AN UNUSUAL COCCIDIAN PARASITE CAUSING PNEUMONIA IN A NORTHERN CARDINAL (CARDINALIS-CARDINALIS)

In June 1993 an unusual coccidian parasite was identified in lung tiss ue from a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) collected near Tuc son, Arizona (USA), which died in respiratory distress. Histologically there was evidence of severe, generalized interstitial pneumonia, ass ociated with the parasite. Both asexual and sexual stages were seen. S chizonts, gamonts, and sporulated oocysts were seen in lung tissue. Th e parasite most closely resembled coccidia of the genus Lankesterella. This is the first report of such a coccidian parasite in the alveolar tissue of a cardinal.