Balfouria monogama Leiper, 1909 induced lesions in intestine of Leptoptilos dubius, an endangered stork of Indian subcontinent

Parasite induced intestinal lesions encountered during post-mortem examination of a free-living juvenile male Greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius) constitutes the material for the present investigation. Parasites were identified as Balfouria monogama Leiper, 1909 (Family: Echinostomatidae); its surface morphology is described. Eggs measured average

0.342 × 0.172 mm. The parasite produced extensive nodular lesions (2–5 mm in diameter) on the wall of small intestine, grossly visible from serosal surface, contained 1–2 adult parasites and necrotic masses in each. Submucosal glandular structures were disappeared. In some of the areas in subserosal layer proliferating connective tissues were arranged in crisscross pattern resembling a fibroma. There were infiltrations of a large number of eosinophils inside the fibroma, periphery to it as well as in the serosal layer. Blood vessels in the serosal layer were hyperaemic with oedema resulting into thickening of serosal layer of intestine. There was distinct evidence of new nodule formation on the gut wall. B. monogama was considered highly pathogenic.