Eustrongylidiasis in eastern great blue herons (Ardea herodias)

The nematode Eustrongylides ignotus was found in peritoneal lesions of seve ral great blue herons (Ardea herodias) submitted for necropsy from a wildli fe rehabilitation center in northern Delaware. Prior to death, signs of dis ease included ataxia, emaciation, weakness, and anemia. Blood collection wa s not uniformly performed, but in cases where it was performed, affected bi rds demonstrated abnormal clinical hematology. Postmortem findings included numerous lesions associated with verminous peritonitis. Significant histol ogic granulomatous response to the presence of these organisms was noted, p articularly in the proventricular specimens. Other organs involved included intestine, spleen, pancreas, and liver.