Aspergillosis in raptors

Diagnostic Procedures and Available Techniques for the Diagnosis of Aspergillosis in Birds

“…4,9,10,15,16,40 Individuals belonging to the avian species listed above species be thoroughly examined for aspergillosis; however, only few experimental studies have been performed to determine true differences in susceptibility between bird species 41 or poultry lineages 42 . Recent infection trials could not confirm a predisposition based on species tested.…”

Aspergillusinfections in birds: a review

“…Aspergillosis is mostly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus but Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus nidulans, and other Aspergillus species or mixed infections can play a role in the disease (Barton et al, 1992;Perelman & Kuttin, 1992;Joseph, 2000). The reason why A. fumigatus is the predominant species of airborne fungal infections might be that the spores are much smaller than the spores of other Aspergillus species (Richard & Thurston, 1983).…”

Susceptibility of adult pigeons and hybrid falcons to experimental aspergillosis

“…Although several authors claim that birds of prey, especially gyrfalcon (Falco rusticollis) and its hybrids, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), roughlegged hawk (Buteo lagopus) and red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), are highly susceptible to aspergillosis (Redig, 1993;Joseph, 2000;Tell, 2005;Silvanose, 2012, personal communication), the expected difference in species susceptibility between 8-month-old hybrid falcons and 8-month-old pigeons was not observed. On the other hand, age-related susceptibility to aspergillosis is reported for falcons (Joseph, 2000), pigeons (Beernaert et al, 2008), turkeys (Femenia et al, 2007) and white storks (Olias et al, 2010). Therefore, infection trials with young hybrid falcons and pigeons should be performed to determine the influence of age in the development of aspergillosis within the model used.…”