Respiratory acariasis caused by Sternostoma tracheacolum in aviary finches

Authors: McCausland IP, Riffkin GG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 7, pp 109-112, Jul 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Parasites - external, Respiratory system
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Sternostoma tracheacolum, a Rhinonyssid mite parasitic in the trachea, lungs and air sacs of a variety of small birds, was described first by Lawrence (1948) and later by Stephan et al (1950) in caged canaries in South Africa. Since then, the mite has been recorded in many countries and a variety of species of wild birds. These include buntings, goldfinches, tanagers, warblers, wagtails, starlings, blackbirds, orioles, meadowlarks, swallows, parrots, parakeets, water thrush and sparrows. These hosts appear to have a high tolerance to the parasite as no lesions in the respiratory systems of parasitized wild birds have been recorded (Fain and Hyland, 1962). Descriptions of the clinical signs and lesions produced by infection with this mite have been recorded in canaries by Stephan et al (1950) and Cumming (1959), in Gouldian finches by Cumming (1959) and Murray (1966), in sugar birds by Fain and Hyland (1962), and in budgerigars by Mathey (1967). All these birds had been kept in captivity. Sternostoma tracheacolum was first reported in Australia byDomrow (1965). This account describes the occurrence of S. tracheacolum in cage birds in New Zealand.

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