Avian cholera in a southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) from Antarctica

• Main Authors: Leotta, Gerardo Aníbal, Rivas, Marta, Chinen, Isabel, Vigo, Germán Blas, Moredo, Fabiana Alicia, Coria, Néstor, Wolcott, Mark J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: Ciencias Veterinarias; Antarctica; avian cholera; Escherichia coli; Macronectes giganteus; Pasteurella multocida; South Shetland Islands; Southern giant petrel; Giganteus; King George Island; Potter Peninsula; Antarc*; Giant Petrel
• Online Access: http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/137883

A southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) was found dead at Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland, Antarctica. The adult male was discovered approximately 48 hr after death. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions were compatible with avian cholera and the bacterium Pasteurella multocida subsp. gallicida, serotype A1 was isolated from lung, heart, liver, pericardial sac, and air sacs. In addition, Escherichia coli was isolated from pericardial sac and air sacs. This is the first known report of avian cholera in a southern giant petrel in Antarctica. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias