First finding of libyostrongylosis in farm-reared ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Croatia: unusual histopathological finding in the brain of two ostriches, naturally infected with Libyostrongylus douglasi.

In the present work, the very first finding of Libyostrongylus douglasi in farm-reared ostriches in Croatia, was described, not only as the main cause of the death, but also as the cause of persistent infection. The results of histopathological examination of almost all parenchymatous organs in two routinely necropsied ostriches were presented, including atypical histopathological finding in the brain and the result of the L. douglasi scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examination. In order to determine the parasite species to which the larval form found in the brain belonged, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Total DNA was isolated from fresh L. douglasi, and from archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded brain section. Additionally, the smears of the proventricular mucosal lining were cytologically examined. Virological examination for newcastle disease virus (NDV) was also performed. As there was very limited information concerned ostrich's health status in Croatian farms, a preliminary evaluation of the parasite infestation level in the Croatian ostrich population over the period 2001-2002 was also done, and an attempt at characterising individual parasite species, was made.