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Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp septicemia in a lovebird
D I Bounous1, D O Schaeffer, A Roy
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70801.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|October 15, 1989
Summary
Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infection caused blindness and CNS disease in a psittacine. Prompt treatment with chloramphenicol led to successful recovery, highlighting a rare but treatable cause of severe illness in birds.
Area of Science:
- Avian medicine
- Veterinary microbiology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) is typically considered less pathogenic than coagulase-positive strains.
- Ocular and central nervous system (CNS) disease in psittacines can have various etiologies.
- Hematogenous spread of bacteria can lead to systemic and localized infections.
Observation:
- Gram-positive cocci were identified within phagocytes in the blood of a psittacine presenting with blindness and neurological deficits.
- Clinical signs included blindness and central nervous system (CNS) disease.
Findings:
- A coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species was successfully isolated from blood cultures.
- The psittacine was treated with chloramphenicol, resulting in a successful clinical outcome.
- The infection likely spread hematogenously, localizing intraocularly, despite the primary route remaining undetermined.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential pathogenicity of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in avian species, challenging the traditional view.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of Staphylococcus bacteremia, even from CoNS strains, can be crucial for preventing severe outcomes like blindness and CNS disease in birds.
- Chloramphenicol demonstrated efficacy in treating this specific Staphylococcus infection in a psittacine.