Pasteurellosis in great white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) - A case report

Abstract

An adult, female Great white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), was found dead on the grounds of the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Assam, India. Postmortem examination revealed congested carcass, multifocal necrotic areas on liver, congested heart and haemorrhagic enteritis. Histologically, liver revealed areas of coagulative necrosis, with numerous basophilic rod shaped organism in the blood vessel and sinusoids. Spleen showed swelling of endothelial layer and presence of numerous organisms. Polymerase chain reaction identified Pasteurella multocida which has been associated with avian pasteurellosis. Exposure of the pelican to a variety of native and exotic anseriform and galliform birds at the Assam State Zoo could have led to cross-species infection and manifestation of disease. This report describes a naturally occurring case of Pasteurella multocida infection in a Great white Pelican.