What are the characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci?
-gram neg. intracellular bacteria
-mostly affects cockatiels and budgies
-zoonotic via inhalation or direct contact
-young birds more susceptible
What are the clinical signs of Chlamydia?
-respiratory signs
-green urates/feces
-lethargy
-anorexia
-poor feathering
-paralysis
-weight loss
-neuro signs
-repro failure
What are the clinical and anatomical pathology findings with Chlamydia?
-marked leukocytosis
-hepatosplenomegaly
-pericarditis
-air sacculitis
What are the differentials for marked leukocytosis in birds?
-chlamydia
-mycobacteria
-west nile virus
-aspergillosis
What are the two life forms of chlamydia?
*infectious life stage = elementary body
-survives outside host
-infects epithelium
*reproductive life stage = reticulate body
-evades immune system
-undergoes binary fission inside host
-transforms into aberrant bodies
How is Chlamydia diagnosed?
-PCR of conjunctival-choanal-cloacal swab
-culture of CCC swab, liver biopsy, postmortem liver, or postmortem spleen
-serology for exposure
-marked leukocytosis
-radiographs
What is the treatment and prevention for chlamydia?
treatment:
-doxycycline for 45 days
-azithromycin PO
-remove calcium and mineral blocks (prevent doxy absorption)
-retest 2 to 4 weeks after completing treatment
prevention:
-quarantine
-isolation
-disinfect
-test prior to purchase
What are the characteristics of Mycoplasma gallisepticum?
-causes upper resp. signs
-relevant in poultry
-common in wild finches (passerines)
-diagnosed via PCR; culture possible but difficult
-difficult to cure; tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones decrease clinical signs
What are the characteristics of Salmonellosis?
-gram neg. rod
-enterobacteriaceae
-S. enterica serotype Typhimurium infects passerines/songbirds
-S. pollorum and S. gallinarum infect poultry
-increased transmission at bird feeders and in colder months
What are the clinical signs and pathology of Salmonellosis?
-range from subclinical to death
-arthritis in the wings in pigeons
-white foci in organs
-raised nodules in upper GI tract
What are the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention steps for salmonellosis?
diagnosis:
-multiple fecal cultures or PCR
treatment:
-TMS and fluids
-3 to 8 weeks; long term carriers and shedders
-no way to treat free living birds
prevention:
-multiple feeders
-feeder hygiene
What are the characteristics of mycobacteriosis?
-gram pos. and acid-fast pos.
-slow growing bacillus
-zoonotic potential
-non-tuberculous spp. are M. avium and M. genavense
-lipid-rich, waxy cell wall makes diagnosis and treatment difficult
-commonly affects brotogeris parakeets, amazons, budgies, and pionus parrots
-NOT the same as mycoplasma***
What are the signs of mycobacteriosis?
-chronic, gradual weight loss
-GI signs
-marked leukocytosis
-hepatosplenomegaly
-thickening of villi of intestines
-tan/white nodules
-liver, spleen, and bone marrow infection
How is mycobacteriosis diagnosed and treated?
diagnosis:
-aspirate/biopsy
-culture
-PCR
treatment:
-long term antibiotics
-euthanasia
What are the characteristics of aspergillosis?
-ubiquitous fungus
-A. fumigatus most common; also A. niger and A. flavus
-inhaled spores lodge in resp. tract and hyphae spread hematogenously
Why are birds very susceptible to aspergillosis?
-high body temp
-large resp. surface area
-no epiglottis or diaphragm
What are the risk factors for aspergillosis?
-high load of exposure
-humid environments
-immunosuppression
-stress
-penguins/sea birds/birds of prey
-peanuts or poorly stored feed
What are the clinical signs of aspergillosis?
-acute infection in lungs
-chronic infection disseminated to air sacs
-local or systemic dz
-signs ranging from respiratory to non-specific
What is the treatment and prevention for aspergillosis?
treatment:
-prolonged anti-fungals; oral, nebulized, or topical
prevention:
-air filtration
-prophylactic itraconazole when stressed
-avoid changes during molt
-decrease stress
How is aspergillosis diagnosed?
hematology:
-leukocytosis
-monocytosis
-lymphopenia
-anemia
proteins:
-elevated TP
-elevated beta and/or gamma globulins
-protein electrophoresis
molecular:
-PCR
-culture
-ELISA for antigen
-ELISA for antibody
imaging:
-radiographs
-CT
-endoscopy
other:
-plasma BD-glucan/plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate
-gliotoxin
What are the characteristics of candida albicans?
-yeast
-normal GI flora that overgrows
-may invade systemically
-common in juveniles on formula or antibiotics
What are the clinical signs of candida albicans?
-anorexia
-crop stasis
-oral white plaques
-regurg.
-weight loss
-difficulty swallowing
-halitosis
How is candida albicans diagnosed and treated?
diagnosis:
-gram or diff quick stain of crop contents, feces, or regurgitant
treatment:
-empty crop
-nystatin or fluconazole
What are the characteristics of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster?
-aka avian gastric yeast or megabacterium
-yeast; large PAS positive bacillus
-causes chronic wasting disease and GI signs
-affects small psittacines (budgies, cockatiels)
-colonizes mucosa of isthmus
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