Osteoma in Agapornis roseicollis / Osteoma em Agapornis roseicollis

Neoplasias are important causes of illness and death in domestic animals. However, in birds, they are less frequent compared with other species such as dogs and cats. Moreover, benign tumors of bone are even less frequent in captive birds being considered sporadic, which make it a poorly understood entity due to the lack of clinical and histopathological data. Thus, we present a case of an osteoma in a Peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) approaching clinical and morphological aspects. A two-years-old lovebird was referred to the veterinary hospital with a 4-month evolution round to oval tumoral mass on the wing. The nodule was firm, painful when manipulated. Radiographic examination revealed a radiopaque mass in the radius and ulna bones. The animal has died during the surgical procedures. The affected wing was submitted to pathology service and histopathology revealed an osteoma.

As neoplasias são importantes causas de doença e morte em animais domésticos. No entanto, em aves, são menos frequentes em comparação com outras espécies, como cães e gatos. Além disso, tumores ósseos benignos são ainda menos frequentes em aves de cativeiro sendo considerados esporádicos, o que o torna uma entidade pouco compreendida devido à falta de dados clínicos e histopatológicos. Assim, apresentamos um caso de osteoma em Periquito cara-de-pêssego (Agapornis roseicollis) abordando aspectos clínicos e morfológicos. Um periquito de dois anos foi encaminhado ao hospital veterinário com uma massa tumoral ovalada na asa com evolução de 4 meses. O nódulo era firme, doloroso quando manipulado. O exame radiográfico revelou uma massa radiopaca nos ossos rádio e ulna. O animal morreu durante os procedimentos cirúrgicos. A asa afetada foi submetida ao serviço de patologia e a histopatologia revelou um osteoma.

Sarna knemidocóptica (Knemidokoptes spp. ) Em periquitos australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus): relato de caso / Knemidocoptic mange (Knemidokoptes spp. ) In australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus): case report

Sarna knemidocóptica apresenta relevante importância na clínica e criação de aves. São caracterizadas como ectoparasitos penetrantes, escavadores de túneis dérmicos de hospedeiros susceptíveis, causando-lhes lesões cutâneas graves e parasitando extensa gama de espécies, principalmente aquelas criadas em cativeiro. Periquitos australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus) são uma das aves psitacídeas mais comumente mantidas como animais de companhia e, destacando-se entre outras ectoparasitoses, como: ácaros das penas, dos ninhos e larvas de moscas, está o gênero Knemidokoptes spp., responsável pela sarna dos periquitos. Neste relato, foram observados sete M. undulatus da variedade inglesa, adultos sendo quatro fêmeas e 3 machos obtidos na cidade de Porto Ferreira, São Paulo. As aves apresentavam-se irritadas, coçando-se, com mutilações variadas. Pode-se observar níveis distintos de patologia nos exemplares e lesões foram observadas em toda a extensão da pele: do crânio, cera (nariz), bico, derme das asas, cauda e membros inferiores (patas), levado a ausência de penas, formação de placas elevadas de superfície irregular, porosa de coloração brancacenta e aspecto crostoso poroso. Os bordos das lesões apresentavam-se avermelhadas, onde as aves bicavam para coçar até se mutilarem. Foi coletado material córneo das áreas lesionadas e em 100%, observou-se ao microscópio óptico (40x), instares da sarna que, por características morfológicas e parasitárias, sugere-se ser a espécie K. pilae. Cinco dos sete animais: quatro fêmeas e um macho, com maior nível de lesões vieram a óbito mesmo iniciado o tratamento e duas aves: macho, menos infestadas foram curadas, porém perdurando sequelas dérmicas e hábito de coçar os membros. Este é o primeiro relato, comprovado por identificação microscópica do ácaro parasitando periquitos padrão inglês atendidos em Descalvado, SP.(AU)

Knemidocoptic mange is of relevant importance in clinical and poultry breeding. They are characterized as penetrating ectoparasites, burrowing into dermal tunnels of susceptible hosts, causing severe skin lesions and parasitizing a wide range of species, especially those bred in captivity. Australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) are one of the parrot birds most commonly kept as companion animals and, standing out among other ectoparasitosis such as: feather mites, nest mites and fly larvae, is the genus Knemidokoptes spp., responsible for mange of birds. parakeets. In this report, seven M. undulatus of the English variety were observed, adults, four females and 3 males, obtained in the city of Porto Ferreira, São Paulo. The birds were irritated, scratching themselves, with various mutilations. Different levels of pathology can be observed in the specimens and lesions were observed along the entire length of the skin: skull, wax (nose), beak, wing dermis, tail and lower limbs (legs), leading to the absence of feathers, formation of raised plaques with irregular surface, porous, whitish color and scaly porous appearance. The edges of the lesions were reddened, where the birds pecked to scratch until they mutilated themselves. Corneal material was collected from the injured areas and 100% of the scab instars were observed under an optical microscope (40x), which, due to morphological and parasitic characteristics, is suggested to be the species K. pilae. Five of the seven animals: four females and one male, with a higher level of lesions, died even after the treatment was started, and two birds: male, less infested were cured, but with dermal sequelae and the habit of scratching the limbs. This is the first report, confirmed by microscopic identification of the mite parasitizing English standard parakeets in Descalvado, SP.(AU)

Sarna knemidocóptica (Knemidokoptes spp. ) Em periquitos australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus): relato de caso / Knemidocoptic mange (Knemidokoptes spp. ) In australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus): case report

Sarna knemidocóptica apresenta relevante importância na clínica e criação de aves. São caracterizadas como ectoparasitos penetrantes, escavadores de túneis dérmicos de hospedeiros susceptíveis, causando-lhes lesões cutâneas graves e parasitando extensa gama de espécies, principalmente aquelas criadas em cativeiro. Periquitos australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus) são uma das aves psitacídeas mais comumente mantidas como animais de companhia e, destacando-se entre outras ectoparasitoses, como: ácaros das penas, dos ninhos e larvas de moscas, está o gênero Knemidokoptes spp., responsável pela sarna dos periquitos. Neste relato, foram observados sete M. undulatus da variedade inglesa, adultos sendo quatro fêmeas e 3 machos obtidos na cidade de Porto Ferreira, São Paulo. As aves apresentavam-se irritadas, coçando-se, com mutilações variadas. Pode-se observar níveis distintos de patologia nos exemplares e lesões foram observadas em toda a extensão da pele: do crânio, cera (nariz), bico, derme das asas, cauda e membros inferiores (patas), levado a ausência de penas, formação de placas elevadas de superfície irregular, porosa de coloração brancacenta e aspecto crostoso poroso. Os bordos das lesões apresentavam-se avermelhadas, onde as aves bicavam para coçar até se mutilarem. Foi coletado material córneo das áreas lesionadas e em 100%, observou-se ao microscópio óptico (40x), instares da sarna que, por características morfológicas e parasitárias, sugere-se ser a espécie K. pilae. Cinco dos sete animais: quatro fêmeas e um macho, com maior nível de lesões vieram a óbito mesmo iniciado o tratamento e duas aves: macho, menos infestadas foram curadas, porém perdurando sequelas dérmicas e hábito de coçar os membros. Este é o primeiro relato, comprovado por identificação microscópica do ácaro parasitando periquitos padrão inglês atendidos em Descalvado, SP.

Knemidocoptic mange is of relevant importance in clinical and poultry breeding. They are characterized as penetrating ectoparasites, burrowing into dermal tunnels of susceptible hosts, causing severe skin lesions and parasitizing a wide range of species, especially those bred in captivity. Australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) are one of the parrot birds most commonly kept as companion animals and, standing out among other ectoparasitosis such as: feather mites, nest mites and fly larvae, is the genus Knemidokoptes spp., responsible for mange of birds. parakeets. In this report, seven M. undulatus of the English variety were observed, adults, four females and 3 males, obtained in the city of Porto Ferreira, São Paulo. The birds were irritated, scratching themselves, with various mutilations. Different levels of pathology can be observed in the specimens and lesions were observed along the entire length of the skin: skull, wax (nose), beak, wing dermis, tail and lower limbs (legs), leading to the absence of feathers, formation of raised plaques with irregular surface, porous, whitish color and scaly porous appearance. The edges of the lesions were reddened, where the birds pecked to scratch until they mutilated themselves. Corneal material was collected from the injured areas and 100% of the scab instars were observed under an optical microscope (40x), which, due to morphological and parasitic characteristics, is suggested to be the species K. pilae. Five of the seven animals: four females and one male, with a higher level of lesions, died even after the treatment was started, and two birds: male, less infested were cured, but with dermal sequelae and the habit of scratching the limbs. This is the first report, confirmed by microscopic identification of the mite parasitizing English standard parakeets in Descalvado, SP.

Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Bacterial Communities in Feces of Pet Birds Using 16S Marker Sequencing.

Birds and other animals live and evolve in close contact with millions of microorganisms (microbiota). While the avian microbiota has been well characterized in domestic poultry, the microbiota of other bird species has been less investigated. The aim of this study was to describe the fecal bacterial communities of pet birds. Pooled fecal samples from 22 flocks representing over 150 individual birds of three different species (Melopsittacus undulatus or budgerigars, Nymphicus hollandicus or cockatiels, and Serinus canaria or domestic canaries) were used for analysis using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing in the MiSeq platform (Illumina). Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum (median 88.4 %; range 12.9-98.4 %) followed by other low-abundant phyla such as Proteobacteria (median 2.3 %; 0.1-85.3 %) and Actinobacteria (median 1.7 %; 0-18.3 %). Lactobacillaceae (mostly Lactobacillus spp.) was the most abundant family (median 78.1 %; 1.4-97.5 %), especially in budgerigars and canaries, and it deserves attention because of the ascribed beneficial properties of lactic acid bacteria. Importantly, feces from birds contain intestinal, urinary, and reproductive-associated microbiota thus posing a serious problem to study one anatomical region at a time. Other groups of interest include the family Clostridiaceae that showed very low abundance (overall median <0.1 %) with the exception of two samples from cockatiels (14 and 45.9 %) and one sample from budgerigars (19.9 %). Analysis of UniFrac metrics showed that overall, the microbial communities from the 22 flocks tended to cluster together for each bird species, meaning each species shed distinctive bacterial communities in feces. This descriptive analysis provides insight into the fecal microbiota of pet birds.

Prevalence of Shiga Toxin-Producing and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in Wild and Pet Birds in Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains and to identify the stx gene types in wild captive and companion birds. In total,657 E. coli isolates from 219 birds belonging to 38 different species were investigated for the presence of STEC and EPEC strains. It was shown that five birds (2.28%) carried strains positive for one or more of the virulence factors investigated. The results indicated that 1.8% (n=4) and 0.45% (n=1) of the birds carried STEC and EPEC strains, respectively. All STEC strains harbored the stx2f and eae genes and this finding reveals the role of other birds, in addition to pigeons, as reservoirs of STEC. The only EPEC strain in this study was isolated from a Myna. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report of Stx2f-producing STEC in Geese, Duck and Lesser kestrel. In conclusion, the results indicate a low frequency of STEC carriage in wild and companion birds, and point out the need of additionally screening for the presence of stx2f in all the eae-harboring strains from birds.(AU)

Prevalence of Shiga Toxin-Producing and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in Wild and Pet Birds in Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains and to identify the stx gene types in wild captive and companion birds. In total,657 E. coli isolates from 219 birds belonging to 38 different species were investigated for the presence of STEC and EPEC strains. It was shown that five birds (2.28%) carried strains positive for one or more of the virulence factors investigated. The results indicated that 1.8% (n=4) and 0.45% (n=1) of the birds carried STEC and EPEC strains, respectively. All STEC strains harbored the stx2f and eae genes and this finding reveals the role of other birds, in addition to pigeons, as reservoirs of STEC. The only EPEC strain in this study was isolated from a Myna. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report of Stx2f-producing STEC in Geese, Duck and Lesser kestrel. In conclusion, the results indicate a low frequency of STEC carriage in wild and companion birds, and point out the need of additionally screening for the presence of stx2f in all the eae-harboring strains from birds.

Lipossarcoma em caturrita (Myiopsitta monachus) / Liposarcoma in a quaker parrot (muiopsitta monachus) - case report

Os lipossarcomas são tumores malignos de lipócitos e lipoblastos raramente relatados em espécies aviárias. Acometem geralmente pássaros adultos ou velhos e em regiões onde existe acúmulo de tecido adiposo. O presente trabalho relata um caso raro de lipossarcoma em uma caturrita (Myiopsitta monachus) com cinco anos de idade que apresentava nódulo de crescimento progressivo na extremidade distal da asa esquerda, com evolução de seis meses. Apesar da dificuldade de deambulação, a ave apresentava disposição e normorexia. Procedeu-se à extirpação cirúrgica da massa tumoral, e o exame histopatológico permitiu o diagnóstico de lipossarcoma bem diferenciado. Não foram observadas recidivas ou metástases durante o período de 24 meses após o procedimento, o que confirma a adequação da conduta cirúrgica realizada.(AU)

Liposarcomas are malignant tumors that involve lipocytes and lipoblasts. This neoplasm is not frequently reported in avian species and generally occurs in adult or old birds and it is always seen in areas of adipose accumulation. This report presents a rare case of liposarcoma in a five-year-old quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus). The patient had a 6-month progressive growing nodule at the left wing extremity and ataxia; however, normal appetite and disposition were noticed. After the neoplasm extirpation, the pathological study pointed out a well-differentiated liposarcoma. Local disease or metastasis signals were not observed within 24 months after the surgery. The surgical procedure was effective to control the liposarcoma in this bird.(AU)

Lipossarcoma em caturrita (Myiopsitta monachus) / Liposarcoma in a quaker parrot (muiopsitta monachus) - case report

Os lipossarcomas são tumores malignos de lipócitos e lipoblastos raramente relatados em espécies aviárias. Acometem geralmente pássaros adultos ou velhos e em regiões onde existe acúmulo de tecido adiposo. O presente trabalho relata um caso raro de lipossarcoma em uma caturrita (Myiopsitta monachus) com cinco anos de idade que apresentava nódulo de crescimento progressivo na extremidade distal da asa esquerda, com evolução de seis meses. Apesar da dificuldade de deambulação, a ave apresentava disposição e normorexia. Procedeu-se à extirpação cirúrgica da massa tumoral, e o exame histopatológico permitiu o diagnóstico de lipossarcoma bem diferenciado. Não foram observadas recidivas ou metástases durante o período de 24 meses após o procedimento, o que confirma a adequação da conduta cirúrgica realizada.

Liposarcomas are malignant tumors that involve lipocytes and lipoblasts. This neoplasm is not frequently reported in avian species and generally occurs in adult or old birds and it is always seen in areas of adipose accumulation. This report presents a rare case of liposarcoma in a five-year-old quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus). The patient had a 6-month progressive growing nodule at the left wing extremity and ataxia; however, normal appetite and disposition were noticed. After the neoplasm extirpation, the pathological study pointed out a well-differentiated liposarcoma. Local disease or metastasis signals were not observed within 24 months after the surgery. The surgical procedure was effective to control the liposarcoma in this bird.