Aspergillosis in an ostrich

A 4-month-old sexually intact blue-neck ostrich was examined because of chronic respiratory tract disease and poor performance. The bird was coughing and dyspneic on physical examination. Thoracic radiographs were consistent with air sacculitis. Bronchoscopy was used to view and to biopsy plaques within the bronchus and lower airways. Aspergillus spp was identified in culture and in biopsy specimens examined microscopically. Aspergillosis was confirmed on postmortem examination. Bronchoscopy may aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.