Diagnostic Study of Serratospiculum spp in Starlings

Abstract

Serratospiculum species was diagnosed in thoracic cavity and air sacs of 15 starlings, with a percentage of 30% out of 50 starling birds examined for the first time in Mosul city/Iraq. Numbers of adult white worms were detected in the thoracic cavity ranging from 3-20 worms with mean intensity was 7.9. Large numbers of embryonated eggs were detected in the impression smears from the respiratory tract and uterus of worms measuring 52.4x25.93 µm with ranging 50-55x25-28.5 µm. These worms were characterized by possessing cuticular orientation, particularly in the anterior end. The female's posterior end is pointy, and her uterus is packed with a huge quantity of eggs. Moreover, the male's posterior end is characterized by the presence of spicules and papillae. At gross examination air saculitis and pneumonia were the most common lesions in infected birds. Histologically, embryonated eggs, adult worms with mild focal hemorrhage, mild myocardial degenerative changes, congestion of blood vessels and focal infiltration of lymphocytes, and plasma cells were diagnosed in the myocardium and lung tissues.