Ostrichrdi

Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Ostrich

Sasani*1, F., Khosravi, A.R.,2 Dordari, S.,3 Rajabi Moghadam, M.3 and

Hajibabaie, A.3

1. Veterinary Pathology Dept., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Iran,

P.O.Box:14155-6453

2. Mycology Dept., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran

3. Private veterinarian

Received 26 Nov 2002; accepted 19 Mar 2003

Birds are routinely exposed to this fungus and only rarely become pathogenic and

the lower respiratory tract is most severely affected by inhalation rout. There have

been some recent reports about respiratory aspergillosis in ostrich (Kyoung 2001,

Marks et al 1994). Aspergillus spp usually cause disease under condition of stress,

immunosupression, and prolonged treatment with antibiotics or massive exposure to

the microorganism. Clinical signs of aspergillosis in ostriches are weight loss,

lethargy and dyspnea (Kyoung 2001). Other less common forms of aspergillosis in

birds are encephalitis, ophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, dermatitis and systemic form

(Fitzgerald & Moisan (1995). A.fumigatus was isolated in some cases of respiratory

aspergillosis (Campbell (1986). It has been reported that aspergillosis was observed

in ostriches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but is relatively uncommon

today (Terzich & Vanhooser (1993). This is the first case report of aspergillosis due

to A.fumigatus in Iran. The ostriches of this report had received chloramphenicol and

enrofloxacin for a long time (45 days) so these drugs may have been the cause of the

pulmonary aspergillosis.

In a flock with 165 ostriches (Struthio Camelus) in Tehran province, two fourmonth-

old male ostriches with respiratory distress and dyspnea, open mouth

breathing, loss of appetite, weakness and retardation of growth were observed and

finally died. Four weeks before appearing of clinical findings, enrofloxacin and

chloramphenicol had been administered for 45 days.

Macroscopically, there were white and gray nodules about 1 to 4mm in diameter

on the lungs and air sacs (Figure 1). In direct examination active form of mycelia

were seen by DMSO and KOH. The mycelia were visible with routine hematoxylin

and eosin as well as with the periodic acid-schiff (PAS) reaction with branched and

septated form. (Figure 2).

Figure 1. White nodules of Aspergillosis on lungs and air sacs of ostriches

  Figure 2. Granulomatous pneumonia with mycelium of A.fumigatus (PAS) (400×)

Microscopically many granulomatous nodules showed central necrosis with

mycelia, mononuclear cells, giant cells and fibrosis. The nodules were cultured in

Sabouraud dextrose agar (Merck) and incubated at 37°C for 48-72h and the

causative agent media was diagnosed as A.fumigatus (Figures 3 and 4).

  Figure 3. Colony of A. fumigatus in Sabouraud culture media

Figure 4. Mycelia of A. fumigates (400×)

References

Campbell, T.N. (1986). Mycotic Disease. In: G. J.Harrison, L.R. Harrison

(Eds.). Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery. Pp: 464-466. Philadelphia, WB

Saunders Co.

Fitzgerald, S.D., Moisan, P.G. (1995). Mycotic rhinitis in an ostrich. Avian

Diseases 39:194-196.

Kyoung,O.H. (2001). Aspergillosis in an ostrich (Struthio Camelus). Journal of

Veterinary Clinics 18:174-177.

Marks, S.L., Stauber, E.H. and Ernstrom, S.B. (1994). Aspergillosis in an

ostrich. Journal of American Veterinary Medicine Association (JAVMA) 204:784-

785.

Terzich, M., Vanhooser, S. (1993). Postmortem findings of ostriches submitted

to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Avian Diseases 37:1136-

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