Conjunctival mycobacteriosis in two emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Avian tuberculosis was diagnosed in two young adult female commercial emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) with granulomatous conjunctivitis. Histologically, the granulomas appeared typical of avian tuberculosis. Caseonecrotic cores were surrounded by a broad ring of palisading epithelioid macrophages and multinucleate giant cells with a moderate admixture of heterophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. One conjunctival granuloma had multifocal mineralization. At necropsy, granulomas were also found in visceral organs of both birds. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in all lesions using Ziehl-Neelsen or Fite's stains. Culture confirmed the bacilli to be Mycobacterium avium (complex).