PROTOZOAN PARASITES AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN HYDROMYS CHRYSOGASTER (MURIDAE, HYDROMYINAE) FROM QUEENSLAND

Tissues from 23 Australian water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) collecte d from live localities in central and northern Queensland, Australia, between February 1992 and May 1993, were examined for protozoan parasi tes and additional pathological changes. We found Klossiella hydromyos in the kidneys, Toxoplasma gondii in the brain and skeletal muscles a nd Sarcocystis sp. in the somatic musculature. Other pathological find ings, including interstitial nephritis, interstitial pneumonia and a t ongue abscess, as well as helminth-induced lesions in the lungs, mesen teries, stomach wall and cecal wall were also noted.