CHLAMYDIOSIS IN COMMERCIAL RHEAS (RHEA-AMERICANA)

Mild to marked splenomegaly was observed in three of four rheas that d ied acutely in three unrelated commercial ratite facilities in Southea stern Louisiana. Mortalities occurred within a 5-week period in birds ranging from 2 months to 3 years of age. Multifocal hepatic and spleni c necrosis with mononuclear cell infiltrates, typical of chlamydiosis in other avian species, was present on histopathologic sections. The d iagnoses were confirmed by demonstration of inclusion bodies in spleni c impression smears and fluorescent-antibody testing performed on Vero cell cultures.