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Helminth Collection and Identification from Wildlife
Published on: December 14, 2013
Encephalitozoon hellem in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)
S S Black1, L A Steinohrt, D C Bertucci
1Diagnostic Laboratory Services, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|May 1, 1997
Summary
This study reports the first confirmed case of microsporidiosis in budgerigar chicks caused by Encephalitozoon hellem. This finding highlights a potential link between pet bird infections and human health.
Area of Science:
- Avian pathology
- Veterinary microbiology
- Zoonotic disease research
Background:
- Microsporidiosis and megabacteriosis pose economic threats to commercial pet bird operations.
- Budgerigar chicks are susceptible to enteric and hepatic infections.
Observation:
- Necropsy of three budgerigar chicks revealed enterocyte microsporidiosis, hepatic lesions, and gastric megabacteriosis.
- Ultrastructural analysis identified microsporidian spores consistent with Encephalitozoon species.
- Molecular identification confirmed the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem.
Findings:
- This is the first documented instance of microsporidiosis in budgerigars.
- Encephalitozoon hellem, previously identified only in humans, was detected in these birds.
- The identified strain of E. hellem was associated with significant pathology in young budgerigars.
Implications:
- The presence of Encephalitozoon hellem in budgerigars may offer new insights into the epidemiology of human infections.
- This discovery underscores the importance of diagnostic vigilance for microsporidian infections in pet bird populations.
- Understanding avian-borne pathogens like E. hellem is crucial for public health and zoonotic disease control.
