Aspergillosis in ostriches

Abstract

SUMMARYA severe case of aspergillosis was observed in a flock of 3-to 8-week-old ostriches at a farm in Israel. A. niger and A. flavus were isolated from the lungs of affected ostriches. A heavy contamination with both fungi was detected in the hatchery, suggesting a brooder borne infection. The clinical and pathological findings observed in this case are described.

Zygomycosis in ostriches

“…Sporangia and sporangiospores sometimes develop in vivo. Thick zygospore-like structures have also been observed in invaded tissues, although a true zygospore formation has not been found in vivo (Baker, 1971;Rippon, 1974;Emmons et al, 1977;Koheler et al, 1978;Chandler et al, 1980;Scholer et al, 1983;Kuttin, 1992). Similar morphological characteristics may be seen in infected tissues of aquatic and terrestrial animals with some oomycetes like Saproleqnia and Pythium sp.…”

“…Aspergillosis and candidosis have been reported in wild and domestic birds including ostriches (Archibald, 1913;Jowett, 1913;Ainsworth & Austwick, 1973;Campbell, 1986;Chute & Richard, 1991;Fuchs, et al, 1991;Perelman, 1991;Perelman & Kuttin, 1992). Zygomycosis occurs more seldom in birds (Loupal, 1981;Fuchs et al, 1991) and has not previously been reported in ostriches.…”

“…Similar morphological characteristics may be seen in infected tissues of aquatic and terrestrial animals with some oomycetes like Saproleqnia and Pythium sp. (Ainsworth & Austwick, 1973;Emmons et al, 1977;Chandler et al, 1980;Kuttin, 1992), but these infections should not be considered as zygomycoses as the oomycetes are classified in the prostista (Ajello, 1977;Chandler et al, 1980). Therefore, a final correct diagnosis of zygomycosis can be made only by isolation and identification of the agent or by immunological staining procedures.…”

“…In ostriches the most common mycotic disease is aspergillosis (Archibald, 1913;Jowett, 1913;Perelman & Kuttin, 1992), but oral treatment with antibiotics may induce candidosis, involving usually the upper alimentary tract (Perelman, 1991). Other mycotic infections such as zygo-penicillium and malasseziamycosis occur more rarely in birds (Ainsworth & Austwick, 1973;Campbell, 1986;Breuer-Strosberg et al, 1990;Chute & Richard, 1991;Fuchs et al, 1991).…”

Postmortem Findings in Bustards in the United Arab Emirates

“…Both the kori and houbara bustard chicks that died of aspergillosis were reared together. Poor hatchery and brooder sanitation are reported to be important sources of infection in ostrich chicks ( Perelman et al, 1992). Predisposing factors to aspergillosis include immunosuppression, malnutrition and unhygienic environmental conditions (Cooper, 1978, Redig, 1980, Campbell, 1986and Jordan, 1990).…”