Infectious coryza in a grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) recovered from captivity

Abstract

We report Avibacterium paragallinarum and Klebsiella pneumoniae coinfection in a grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum). The crane was recovered from illegal captivity and released at a grey crowned crane (GCC) rehabilitation facility located at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. One year after being transferred, the bird presented with clinical signs suggesting a respiratory disease. Those signs included severe dyspnoea with mouth breathing, sneezing and nasal discharge. The crane was put on a 3-day treatment with antibiotics (ceftiofur 200 mg/ml at 50 mg/kg intramuscularly) and antiinflammatory drug (meloxicam, intramuscular injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg), after which the crane seemed to have recovered. A month later, the same crane presented similar clinical signs and was treated with enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg intramuscularly.Despite the treatment, the crane died 19 h later. At necropsy, adhesive air sacculitis and hydroperitoneum were observed, and a reddish fluid in air sacs and in the abdominal cavity was found. Also, a marked hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed.Samples were collected for laboratory examination. Molecular tests done on the tracheal and cloacal swabs revealed A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae, respectively. This is the first case of A. paragallinarum and K. pneumoniae coinfection reported in a grey crowned crane. Our study contributes to knowledge on the ecological distribution of both these pathogens in wild birds. It provides an opportunity to investigate further the clinical significance of infectious coryza in Rwanda's wild and domestic birds.

Metagenomics for pathogen detection during a wildlife mortality event in songbirds

“…Although no causative agent for the mortality event was identified, findings highlight the potential of using non-targeted approaches, such as mNGS, to help describe the microbial community circulating in wild populations including both pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes (39,40). For example, the detection of Avibacterium paragallinarum in this study is important to document as it is known primarily as a respiratory disease affecting chickens and is rarely described to cause disease in wild avian species (41). Generating baseline data and understanding how it changes over time further enables downstream comparisons to be made between diseased and healthy individuals and supports diagnostic responses to future mortality events.…”

Metagenomics for Pathogen Detection During a Mass Mortality Event in Songbirds

“…Although no causative agent for the mortality event was identified, findings highlight the potential of using nontargeted approaches, such as mNGS, to help describe the microbial community circulating in wild populations including both pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes (Martin et al 2018; Jurburg et al 2022). For example, the detection of A. paragallinarum in this study is important to document as it is known primarily as a respiratory disease affecting chickens and has rarely been described to cause disease in wild avian species (Nsengimana et al 2022). The differences in background microbes detected between case and control birds may be attributed, in part, to the inherent diversity expected in wildlife stemming from various factors such as habitat, diet, and age.…”

Avibacterium paragallinarum: an emerging birds pathogen in Qinling wildlife conservation center, China

“…A. paragallinarum infections in chickens have been reported in many different countries, and cases have also been related to quails and captive grey crowned cranes (Nsengimana et al 2022;Priya et al 2012;Wahyuni et al 2018). In this study, we aim to illustrate the effects of IC on different bird species.…”