Enterococcus hirae infections in psittacine birds: epidemiological, pathological and bacteriological observations

Cases of Enterococcus hirae septicaemia are described in 10 different species of psittacine birds. In most of the cases other disease causes were not detected, and cytological examination confirmed the aetiological role of the bacteria isolated. Despite these findings, attempts to reproduce the disease in young budgerigars failed. The bacterium was isolated frequently from the faeces of healthy psittacine birds belonging to a wide range of species, and appeared to be member of the normal intestinal flora of these birds. The bacteriological diagnosis of E. hirae, and especially its differentiation from Enterococcus durons, is discussed.