Lymphoma in two wild tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) in Victoria

Lymphoma was diagnosed in two wild tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) presented to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria. The first case presented with extensive feather loss refractory to treatment. Bacterial and fungal folliculitis and beak and feather disease virus were excluded as primary causes, and the bird was euthanised due to poor response to treatment. Histopathological examination of the skin showed an extensive infiltrate of pleomorphic mononuclear leucocytes, suggestive of cutaneous lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed >95% of these cells were CD3 positive, consistent with T cell lymphoma. The second case presented debilitated and in poor body condition and was euthanised due to poor prognosis. Histopathological examination revealed extensive infiltrates of pleomorphic mononuclear leucocytes in multiple tissues, suggestive of disseminated lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed 70%-80% of these leucocytes were Pax5 positive, consistent with a B cell lymphoma. To the authors' knowledge these cases constitute the first report of malignant neoplasms in members of the Order Caprimulgiformes. Cutaneous lymphoma should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for severe feather loss in tawny frogmouths and other avian species, when other more common causes have been ruled out. Similarly, disseminated lymphoma is a differential diagnosis worthy of consideration in cases of systemic debilitation in tawny frogmouths.