4,5 Diagnosisĭiagnostic testing includes blood work (complete blood count, biochemistry), fungal culture, serology, imaging, endoscopy, and histopathology. Signs of ocular aspergillosis typically include discharge, dull/cloudy cornea, blepharospasm, photophobia, swelling, and/or conjunctival yellow exudate. 4 Hyphae can also penetrate the air sacs and/or invade into blood vessels, consequently leading to a systemic infection through hematogenous spread. Lack of an epiglottis, diaphragm, and surface macrophages, along with limited pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells, may be predisposing factors in the spread of aspergillosis after initial infection. This makes respiration extremely efficient it is also the reason aspergillosis typically starts in the air sacs before reaching the lungs. 1,2īirds have a unique respiratory system in which air sacs direct airflow in one direction through the lungs. Some affected birds can have biliverdinuria (green discoloration of the urates). A sudden change in voice pitch during vocalization is often observed in psittacines with a granuloma in the upper respiratory tract. Infection in the lower respiratory tract should be associated with an audible expiration, while inspiratory stridor may be due to an upper respiratory tract or tracheal infection. The patient’s respiratory system should be examined. Initial physical examination findings typically include weight loss, respiratory abnormalities (dyspnea, tachypnea, cyanosis), lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia, vocalizing, open-beak breathing, tail bobbing, and/or enlarged nares. Typically, birds present with vague and nonspecific signs (depression, inappetence, difficulty breathing, reluctance to fly/perch, drooped wings). Associated conditions include anorexia, depression, dyspnea, weakness, and nasal granulomas. Humid environments propagate excessive fungal growth, and very dry and dusty ones with poor ventilation favor spore formation both can predispose birds to aspergillosis because of the increased potential for fungal growth. 2 Captive psittacines (such as African grey parrots, amazons, and macaws), birds of prey (merlins, gyrfalcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, rough-legged hawks, goshawks, snowy owls), waterfowl (swans), penguins, pheasants, turkeys, bird of paradise, and mynahs are some species known to have been infected with aspergillosis. However, certain species have been reported to be more at risk for Aspergillus infection. The fungus is nondiscriminatory-all species and ages and both sexes can be affected. Aspergillosis initially affects the air sacs because of the bird’s unique respiratory system. 1,2Īn acute presentation of aspergillosis can occur from an overwhelming concentration of fungal spores, whereas a chronic case is typically due to immunosuppression. 2 The clinical disease typically appears as a result of immunosuppression. 1 It is a common disease in captive birds, and the most common causative species is Aspergillus fumigatus. The spores are ubiquitous in the environment, and most birds can be considered exposed outdoor environments pose a higher risk than does being kept completely indoors. It is also known as a mycotic infection, which may cause a fungal pneumonia. Aspergillosis-a noncontagious, opportunistic fungal infection-is caused by Aspergillus species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |