A bacterial proventriculitis in canaries(Serinus canaria)

Abstract

SUMMARYA description is given of the pathomorphology and pathomorphogenesis of a bacterial infection of the proventriculus of canaries. The cause appeared to be a large, rod-shaped, Grampositive bacterium, in which no spore formation could be observed. Cultivation in vitro has not as yet been achieved. Thirty % of the 30 canaries examined contained this bacterium in the proventriculus. In the rest of the digestive tract much smaller numbers were found. The bacteria were associated with a proliferative inflammatory reaction in the proventriculus. The infected proventriculi had an increased pH and an altered synthesis of mucopolysaccharides. The coilin layer of the gizzard was thinner in the infected canaries than in the control group, possibly as a result of the increased pH in the proventriculus. INTRODUCTIONDuring post-mortem examination of canaries, the mucosa of the proventriculus was found in several to be covered with thick, whitish mucus, in which large numbers of large, rod-shaped microorganisms were found.

Gross Anatomy of Some Digestive Organs of the Domestic Canary (Serinus Canariа)

“…On the basis of literature reports, the rearing of canaries as pets is often accompanied by pathological states in some digestive organsstomach, small intestine and liver (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) With this respect, digestive tract pathology requires precise anatomical data that could be reliably used in ante-and post mortem diagnostics.…”

Growth and Metabolic Characterization of Macrorhabdus Ornithogaster

“…In that report, the stomach pH in birds without infection ranged from 0.7 to 2.3 as compared to the stomach pH of infected birds, which ranged from 7.0 to 7.3. 16 It is not clear from that paper whether the investigators actually measured the pH of the microenviron- ment where the M. ornithogaster grew. The data do not suggest that the pH change observed in this previous investigation could have been caused by M. ornithogaster or that it would be beneficial for this organism to cause the pH to rise to these levels, as M. ornithogaster can grow only in the range of pH of 3 to pH of 4.…”

“…However, M. ornithogaster has been associated with a chronic wasting disease in budgerigars, canaries, and finches and an acute hemorrhagic gastritis in budgerigars and parrotlets. [1][2][3]5,10,16 A stunting syndrome was noted in chickens naturally infected with M. ornithogaster, but these birds were also affected by a number of other pathogens. 7,8 Experimentally infected chickens did not show clinical signs of disease but had a reduced feed-conversion ratio as compared to controls.…”

“…1 Infection has been described in a range of species of birds including chickens, turkeys, ostriches, several species of parrots, and both captive-bred and wild finches. [1][2][3]5,[7][8][9][10]12,14,16,17 The prevalence of M. ornithogaster infection is highest in captive-bred budgerigars (Melopsitticus undulatus), parrotlets (Forpus spp. ), and canaries (Serinus canaria) and can be found in these birds throughout the world.…”

“…), and canaries (Serinus canaria) and can be found in these birds throughout the world. [1][2][3]10,16 Most M. ornithogaster infections cause little detectable disease. However, M. ornithogaster has been associated with a chronic wasting disease in budgerigars, canaries, and finches and an acute hemorrhagic gastritis in budgerigars and parrotlets.…”