Fatal aspergillosis in imported parrots

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Mycology
• Avian Pathology

Background:

• Spontaneous fatal aspergillosis was observed in multiple parrot species imported for psittacosis research.
• A significant number of imported parrots succumbed to the disease over a four-year period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and potential contributing factors of fatal aspergillosis in imported parrots.
• To identify the fungal species responsible for the observed aspergillosis cases.

Main Methods:

• Necropsies were performed on all deceased parrots during the study.
• Histopathology and fungal cultures were utilized to confirm aspergillosis diagnoses.
• Identification of causative Aspergillus species was conducted for confirmed cases.

Main Results:

• Out of 655 imported parrots, 32 cases of aspergillosis were culturally confirmed, with 3 additional cases confirmed by histopathology alone.
• Aspergillus fumigatus was identified in 13 cases, Aspergillus oryzae in 16 cases, and both in 3 cases.
• Factors potentially linked to fatal aspergillosis included capture and transport stress, chlortetracycline administration, and cortisone acetate treatment.

Conclusions:

• Capture, transport, and medical treatments (chlortetracycline, cortisone acetate) appear to be associated with the development of fatal aspergillosis in imported parrots.
• Further investigation into the interplay between environmental stressors, host immunity, and antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory drug administration is warranted.