Avian coxiellosis in 9 psittacine birds, 1 black-browed barbet, and 1 paradise tanager.

Avian coxiellosis in 9 psittacine birds, 1 black-browed barbet, and 1 paradise tanager. Avian Pathol. 2020 Feb 14;:1-22 Authors: Needle DB, Agnew DW, Bradway DS, Nordhausen RB, Garner MM Abstract Infection with a novel species of the genus Coxiella was first described in 3 Swainson's Blue Mountain Rainbow Lorikeets from a zoological collection, and days later in a group of seven other psittacine birds and a toucan. We provide an update on coxiellosis in 9 additional psittacines, and two non-psittacines. Psittacines originated in New England, the mid Atlantic, the Midwest, the South and the Northwest. Psittacines most commonly had lesions in the brain, spleen, liver, and lungs, consisting of meningoencephalitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and interstitial pneumonia. Lesions contained histiocytic infiltrate, with intracytoplasmic, Gimenez-positive coccobacilli. Transmission electron microscopy revealed bacteria with trilaminar cell walls, electron dense cores, and spore-like forms. PCR revealed homology to the organism in index cases. In addition, one Black-browed barbet and one Paradise tanager were found with systemic coxiellosis; sequencing identified the same pathogen. These are the second piciforme and the first passerine affected by this pathogen, indicating expanded infectivity and pathogenicity. PMID: 32054295 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research