Staphylococcus aureus infections in psittacine birds

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Avian Medicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• Staphylococcus aureus is a known pathogen in various animal species.
• Psittacine birds are susceptible to infectious diseases, impacting their health and welfare.
• Septicemic lesions are a common finding in necropsy cases of pet birds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections in psittacine birds.
• To identify concurrent pathogens and lesions in affected birds.
• To assess the potential for epidemic spread of staphylococcosis in psittacine populations.

Main Methods:

• Necropsy examinations of psittacine birds over a six-year period.
• Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus from internal organs.
• Phage typing of S. aureus isolates.
• Detection of concurrent infections with other microorganisms and examination for other pathological conditions.

Main Results:

• Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 13 psittacine birds with lesions consistent with septicaemia.
• Three different phage types of S. aureus were identified.
• Concurrent infections were detected in seven of the 13 birds, including Chlamydophila species, Enterococcus hirae, Candida species, unidentified streptococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci.
• One bird also exhibited lesions of lymphoid leucosis.
• Limited evidence suggested epidemic spread of staphylococcosis.

Conclusions:

• Staphylococcus aureus is pathogenic in psittacine birds, causing septicaemia.
• While pathogenic, S. aureus does not appear to be a frequent cause of disease in this species.
• Concurrent infections are common in psittacine birds with S. aureus.