Fungal Infections

Aspergillosis in Wild Birds

“…Only a small percentage of the approximately 340 accepted Aspergillus species are implicated in the development of avian aspergillosis [ 8 ]. Aspergillus fumigatus is by far the most prevalent species, representing up to 95% of cases, in both wild and domestic avifauna [ 3 , 9 ]. Isolation of A. flavus is less common and has been described in falcons [ 10 , 11 ], parrots [ 12 ], and a royal tern Thalasseus maximus [ 13 ].…”

“…In domestic birds, both field data and experimental results have clearly demonstrated a higher susceptibility of turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) and quails ( Coturnix japonica ) to aspergillosis when compared to chickens, for example [ 125 ]. Furthermore, differences in susceptibility have been demonstrated between different turkey and chicken lineages following experimental inoculation of spores [ 3 ]. In wild species, empirical data claim that gyrfalcons ( Falco rusticolus ) and hybrids, merlins ( Falco columbarius ), goshawks, red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ), ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus), rough-legged hawks ( Buteo lagopus ), golden eagles and snowy owls ( Nyctea scandiaca ) are highly susceptible to aspergillosis [ 99 , 126 ].…”

“…Souza and Degernes [ 80 ] found than male swans were twice as likely as females to have fungal disease, whereas the role of gender in susceptibility to aspergillosis has not been documented in raptors [ 126 ]. Cumulative data show that young animals are particularly prone to the development of aspergillosis in poultry [ 3 ] and wild birds. Young raptors, notably, immature red-tailed hawks, seem to be more susceptible between 2 to 4 months of age [ 99 , 126 ].…”

“…Aspergillosis holds a very special place in veterinary and human medicine, because it is the main type of mycosis affecting birds and mammals, including human beings [ 1 ]. The Aves class is particularly concerned, due to [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The great diversity of species susceptible to this infection, including domestic and wild animals living in captivity or in natural environments; the omnipresence of the Aspergillus fungi in varied indoor and outdoor environments on all continents except Antarctica; the ability of this opportunistic mold to grow efficiently in its ecological niche and in birds following inhalation of its spores; the severity of the infections observed, which can result in a high mortality rate; the fact that, despite the relatively large number of case reports and amount of experimental data, particularly those obtained from poultry species, the pathogenesis of avian aspergillosis is still poorly understood [ 2 , 5 ].…”

“…In young birds, the disease referred to as “brooder pneumonia” is the most commonly diagnosed infection in nestlings around the time of hatching. Other synonyms for avian aspergillosis include fungal or mycotic pneumonia, pneumomycosis, bronchomycosis, and colloquialisms such as “asper” and “air sac” [ 3 ].…”