Avian mycobacteriosis in captive brolgas (Antigone rubicunda)

Abstract

Case series Avian mycobacteriosis is a significant disease of a wide range of bird species worldwide. The most common causative agent, Mycobacterium avium, is reported to also infect a range of mammals, including humans. Of 11 brolgas (Antigone rubicunda) submitted to the University of Melbourne for postmortem examination over a 10-year period, 7 were diagnosed with mycobacteriosis. All were from a wildlife park and kept in permanent enclosures as part of a breeding program. Most of the brolgas with mycobacteriosis were in poor body condition and had widely disseminated granulomas throughout the body, especially within the liver, spleen and gastrointestinal tract. Respiratory tract involvement was common, with all disseminated cases having pulmonary or air sac granulomas. Rare to moderate numbers of acid-fast organisms were detected in granulomas by histological examination. Where examined by appropriate bacteriological examinations, M. avium complex was isolated from affected tissues.Conclusion This case series is the first known report of mycobacteriosis in brolgas and highlights the pathological changes seen. The complications in maintaining an avian mycobacteriosisfree breeding program and in eradication of the disease from an enclosed wildlife environment are discussed.

In this issue – March 2019: Clinical review of feline viral diagnosis · Vaccination reactions in experimental sheep · Swimming excercise in Standardbreds · Bone fragments in young Thoroughbreds · Cefovecin in marsupials · Mycobacteriosis in captive brolgas

“…6 These birds are can live in captivity for approximately 30 years but are a threatened species in Victoria. 6 These birds are can live in captivity for approximately 30 years but are a threatened species in Victoria.…”

“…A case series describes Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in captive brolgas. 6 These birds are can live in captivity for approximately 30 years but are a threatened species in Victoria. Over a 10-year period, 11 brolgas were submitted for necropsy, and 7 had findings consistent with mycobacteriosis.…”

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium Strain Isolated from Cow

“…According to World Organization for Animal Health, avian mycobacteriosis is defned as type B disease [13]. MAA not only has economic signifcance to various animals and endangers animal health [14][15][16][17][18] but also occasionally causes infections and diseases in humans [19] leading to potential zoonotic hazards. At present, although a great deal of attention has been paid to MAC research in other parts of the world, but there have been only limited reports of the isolation of MAC strains in China [20][21][22][23][24], and only one case of a MAA strain related outbreak has been reported in recent years [25].…”