Fatal cardiomyopathy caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in an aardwolf
Fletcher, K.C.; Hubbard, G.B.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 187(11): 1263-1264
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 3935617 Document Number: 256537
An adult female Proteles cristatus in a zoo in Texas, USA, presented with ataxia, generalized muscular weakness and polypnoea and died during examination. Necropsy results indicated a markedly dilated heart, with a rounded apex. Microscopically, severe-to-diffuse necrotizing myocarditis was seen in the left ventricle. Inflammatory infiltrate was composed of macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Amastigotes of T. cruzi were seen often within the inflammatory cells. Ultrastructurally, aggregates of T. cruzi were in myofibres between myofibrils.