Mycobacterium xenopi systemic infection in a domestic fiery-shouldered conure bird (Pyrrhura egregia).

INTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium xenopi is a rare opportunistic pathogen mainly causing infections in immunocompromised human patients or those with underlying chronic structural lung disease. Cases of disease in veterinary medicine remain scarce. Few animal species, including birds, are suspected of being vectors of the disease and there has not yet been a report of clinical disease in birds. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of systemic infection in a domestic bird. CASE PRESENTATION: A female fiery-shouldered conure was submitted after death for necropsy following episodes of heavy breathing. The necropsy revealed multiple granulomatous lesions within the liver, air sacs and kidneys. Ziehl-Neelsen stains demonstrated the presence of numerous intralesional acid-fast bacilli. PCR assays and culture confirmed the presence of M. xenopi. CONCLUSION: Through this case we hope to describe the characteristics of M. xenopi disease in birds and the possible close relationship between animal and human infections.

Esophagitis and Pharyngitis Associated with Avian Infectious Laryngotracheitis in Backyard Chickens: Two Cases.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a contagious viral respiratory disease of great economic importance for the global poultry industry caused by Gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1). Lesions of the upper digestive tract caused by this virus have not been reported before. Two small flocks of backyard chickens experienced an outbreak of ILT, one in 2006 and the other in 2014. These birds had typical ILT lesions, characterized by a necrohemorrhagic laryngitis and tracheitis but were also affected by a severe erosive and necrotic esophagitis and pharyngitis. On microscopic examination of the esophagus and pharynx, numerous individual epithelial cells were degenerated or necrotic. Syncytial cells were present in the mucosa or sloughed in the overlying inflammatory crust, and some of these cells contained an amphophilic intranuclear viral inclusion. GaHV-1 was detected in tissues, from respiratory and digestive tracts, either by PCR, immunohistochemistry, or both diagnostic assays. This case stresses the importance for veterinarians, owners, and technicians to pay attention to different or atypical clinical manifestations of ILT given its highly contagious nature.

Clinical leptospirosis in three cats (2001-2009).

Based on previous research, cats were thought to have been resistant to the development of clinical signs following infection with Leptospira spp. This case report presents three confirmed, naturally infected clinical cases of feline leptospirosis. The cases presented were all indoor/outdoor cats that were known to hunt. They were also all presented at different stages of renal insufficiency; however, they did not show any liver involvement. The authors suggest that there may be a longer incubation period in cats than dogs and recommend further research in the form of a large, clinical study.

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a horse: a case of myenteric ganglionitis.

An 11-year-old Quarter horse mare was presented for recurrent episodes of colic. A chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed. Medical treatment and surgical resection of the colon were performed but the condition did not improve and the horse was euthanized. Histopathological examination revealed a myenteric ganglionitis of the small intestine and ascending colon.

Systemic Cryptococcus albidus infection in a Doberman Pinscher.

Cryptococcus albidus is a saprophytic, encapsulated yeast usually found in air, both outdoor and indoor, and sometimes on human skin. It is not usually considered to be a primary pathogen. Most cryptococcal infections of humans and animals are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Several cases of C. albidus infection have been reported in humans over the past 20 years. In the veterinary literature, 2 equine cases have been described: genital infection and mycotic keratitis. The present report is the first documented case of C. albidus systemic infection in a dog. Veterinarians and diagnosticians should be aware that C. albidus may be a potential canine pathogen.