Psittacine inclusion body hepatitis in an aviary

Psittacine inclusion body hepatitis (also known as Pacheco's parrot disease) was believed to be responsible for fatal necrotizing hepatitis and splenitis in a variety of psittacine birds from a private aviary. Splenic cells and degenerative hepatocytes around the outer zone of necrotic areas had margination of nuclear material and large intranuclear inclusion bodies. Clinical signs consisted of weakness, anorexia, vomiting, loose feces, and slight ruffling of feathers. The source of the infection was undetermined, but could have been associated with 3 Patagonian conures within the aviary. Patagonian conures are well-recognized as clinically normal carriers. The outbreak was limited by strict quarantine and disinfection of the aviary for 14 days.