[Mycobacteriosis in the hermit ibis (Geronticus eremita)]

The present paper reports on a case of mycobacteriosis in a colony of Hermit-Ibises, in which a so far unknown serovar of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare has been isolated. The serologic findings in the birds disagree with those of the isolate, a fact that has been mentioned in the literature several times. The hematological and clinical-chemical parameters can hardly be interpreted without knowledge of normal values. However, the high numbers of eosinophiles in the differential smears are striking. The autopsy shows the typical picture of a granulomatous inflammation. The small subserous granulomata of the intestinal wall can be found--in contrast to other birds--lying closely together. Histopathological findings indicate a certain weakness of the defense system which, together with the good state of nutrition in some of the Hermit-Ibises, is interpreted as a possible high susceptibility of this bird species to infections with Mycobacterium spp.