[Tuberculosis in raptorial birds. Clinical cases and differential diagnosis]

Four cases of avian tuberculosis in two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis gentilis), a lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus sp.) and a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus) are reported. All birds, except for the kestrel, were affected with generalized tuberculosis. Clinically, the lanner falcon and kestrel showed lameness due to tuberculous arthritis of a knee joint. One of the goshawks died suddenly. On post-mortem examination, the bird was found to be emaciated, and there was involvement of one knee joint. The other goshawk showed convulsive seizures for three weeks before she died. Histological examination revealed tuberculous meningitis and encephalitis. The diagnosis was based on the detection of acid-fast organisms in every case and was verified in three cases by cultures of the causative organism. Tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of emaciation, lameness, arthritis, skin lesions, convulsions and frounce in raptors.