Central nervous signs, blindness and cerebral vermicosis in free-ranging peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) associated with aberrant larval migrations.

Four free-ranging peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) were submitted with a history of unilateral or bilateral blindness and central nervous signs to a veterinary clinic in Germany. There were no indications of trauma or ocular disease. Likewise, other differential diagnoses for CNS signs were ruled out within the diagnostic process. The clinical diagnostic panel in live falcons included general examination, radiography, endoscopy, hematology, ophthalmoscopy and parasitological examination of the feces, blood gas analysis and blood chemistry as well as computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A complete pathological and histopathological examination was performed post-mortem. The only common finding in all birds was an infection with the nematode parasite Serratospiculum tendo. The parasite was confirmed morphologically and via PCR. In two falcons intracerebral vermicoses was suspected in MRI and confirmed in subsequent histopathology, but molecular biological identification of the parasite species failed from brain tissue. Until today, S. tendo had been reported to affect the respiratory system, the liver and different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and to cause cachexia, inappetence, regurgitation, dyspnea and general signs of illness such as lethargy, poor plumage, and reduced reproduction. Our findings indicate that aberrant migration should be considered as cause for CNS signs in falcons. As S. tendo might be a possible cause for this, CNS signs might be included in the list of clinical signs of serratospiculiasis in falcons.

Nocturnal electromyographic evaluation of masseter muscle activity in the complete denture patient.

Nocturnal oral activity was evaluated in 12 complete denture wearers by means of EMG measurements of the masseter muscle. Patients who had worn dentures for at least 6 months were selected. EMG levels were compared when subjects slept with and without the dentures in the mouth. Three subjects appeared to have reduced EMG values when sleeping with the dentures. However, no overall group trends or significant differences were obtained. High variability in nightly EMG values could not be explained by a post hoc analysis of patient oral symptoms or denture characteristics. Efforts should be directed at improved methodology to study the specific mechanism of the effect of denture wearing on nocturnal muscle activity levels. Additional knowledge is needed on the occurrence and effects of parafunctional habits in the edentulous patients.