Avian

Growth and metabolic characterization of Macrorhabdus

ornithogaster. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:256–265 (2007).
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (M. ornithogaster) is an anamorphic
ascomycetous yeast found only in the stomach of birds. Infection is
often benign but has also been associated with disease in some
species of birds under some circumstances. has been associated with
a chronic wasting disease in budgerigars, canaries, and finches and an
acute hemorrhagic gastritis in budgerigars and parrotlets. A stunting
syndrome was noted in chickens naturally infected with M.
ornithogaster, but these birds were also affected by a number of other
pathogens.

Toxinotypes of Clostridium perfringens isolated from sick and

healthy avian species. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:329–333 (2007). All C.
perfringens isolates were classified as type A regardless of species or
disease history. Although many isolates (from all avian groups) had the
gene encoding the C. perfirngens beta2 toxin, only 54% produced the
toxin in vitro when measured using Western blot analysis. Surprisingly,
a large number of healthy birds (90%) carried CPB2-producing isolates,
whereas over half of the cpb2-positive isolates from diseased birds
failed to produce CPB2. These data from this investigation do not
suggest a causal relationship between beta2 toxin and necrotic
enteritis in birds.

Application of polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting to

differentiate Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale isolates. J Vet
Diagn Invest 19:417–420 (2007). Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale
(ORT) is an infectious respiratory pathogen of chickens, turkeys, and
wild birds. The disease caused by ORT is characterized by tracheitis,
airsacculitis, and fibrinous pneumonia in severely affected birds.

Sarcocystis sp.-associated meningoencephalitis in a bald eagle

(Haliaeetus leucocephalus). J Vet Diagn Invest 19:564–568 (2007).
Protozoal meningoencephalitis -The predominant histologic lesion was
lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic meningoencephalitis involving the
cerebrum and cerebellum. There was a marked segmental loss of
granular cells and Purkinje cells, as well as segmental atrophy of the
molecular layer in the cerebellum. Protozoal merozoites and schizonts
were observed in the gray matter of the cerebellum. Ultrastructurally,
the merozoites were classified as a species of Sarcocystis due to the
lack of rhoptries. Immunohistochemistry of the agent revealed a
positive reaction for Sarcocystis neurona, while sections were negative
for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum.
Respiratory herpesvirus infection in two Indian Ringneck parakeets. J Vet Diagn
Invest 20:235–238 (2008). Diffuse consolidation and red discoloration of the lungs, as
well as thickened, congested air sacs. multifocal, necrotizing bronchitis, parabronchitis,
and interstitial pneumonia. large syncytial cells with up to 15 nuclei. The nuclei of these
syncytial cells often contained large, eosinophilic inclusion bodies, consistent with
herpesvirus. Recently, a novel Psittacid herpesvirus strain was isolated from the
mucosal papillomas of neotropical parrots and from cloacal and cutaneous papillomas of
African grey parrots. However, there have been reports of a different herpesvirus of
parakeets that has tropism for the lower respiratory tract, with no hepatic or significant
upper-respiratory-tract involvement. One was from the United States, in a Bourke’s
parakeet, and the other was from Japan. This virus is referred to as ‘‘respiratory
herpesvirus of parakeets’’ and represents an unusual manifestation of herpesvirus-
induced disease in parakeets. In these 2 parakeets, the herpes-like inclusion bodies were
identified within epithelial cells and syncytial cells of the trachea, bronchi, parabronchi,
air capillaries, and air sacs. Herpesvirus subfamilies include alpha-herpesviruses, beta-
herpesviruses, and gamma-herpesviruses. Alpha-herpesviruses are associated with rapid
viral replication, host cell lysis, and the ability to establish latent infection.5 An example
of avian alpha-herpesvirus is Gallid herpesvirus 1 (family Herpesviridae, subfamily
Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Iltovirus), commonly known as Infectious laryngotracheitis
virus (ILTV) of chickens, which causes upper-respiratorytract infection manifested as
necrotizing pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, and, occasionally, mild pneumonia.23. In
Psittaciformes, there are several recognized diseases associated with avian alpha-
herpesviruses. Infection with Psittacid herpesvirus 1 (PsHV-1), formerly known as
Pacheco’s disease (PD), is characterized by massive hepatic necrosis with formation of
syncytial cells.18 Amazon tracheitis virus (ATV) is a cause of upper-respiratory-tract
lesions similar to ILTV in chickens.18 There are several other herpesviruses associated
with more chronic, non–lifethreatening skin and/or mucosal lesions. It is speculated that
the feather abnormalities referred to as ‘‘feather dusters’’ in European Budgerigars are
caused by a herpesvirus.

Hepatic hemorrhage, hemocoelom, and sudden death due to Haemoproteus

infection in passerine birds: eleven cases. J Vet Diagn Invest 20:304–313 (2008). A
promiscuous genotype of Haemoproteus capable of undergoing host switching on a
familial level was identified. This protozoan caused severe disease with high mortality in
6 species of exotic passerine birds housed in California at the San Diego Zoo. Necropsy
findings consisted of hemocoelom and irregularly scattered areas of hemorrhage and
hepatocellular necrosis. Affected areas of liver contained solitary protozoal
megaloschizonts in varied states of degeneration and peripheral nonsuppurative
inflammation. No other parasite life stages were found in parenchymal organs or blood
smears.

Interaction of ionophore and vitamin E in knockdown syndrome of turkeys. J Vet

Diagn Invest 20:472–476 (2008). Turkeys with knockdown syndrome had myopathy of
skeletal muscles, but no lesions in the myocardium. Generally, concentration of monensin
in serum was highest in turkeys diagnosed with knockdown syndrome given more than
90 mg/kg of monensin in the diet. Vitamin E concentrations in the livers were
statistically higher in healthy turkeys fed a diet free of monensin than in the livers of
birds from the 3 groups exposed to monensin. This suggests that the concentration of
monensin in serum positively correlates to the severity of clinical signs and pathology
and to the amount of monensin in the feed. The current study also suggests that monensin
in the feed could induce lower concentrations of vitamin E in the liver of turkeys and can
predispose the turkeys to knockdown syndrome.

Diffuse intestinal T-cell lymphosarcoma in a yellow-naped Amazon parrot

(Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata). J Vet Diagn Invest 20:656–660 (2008).
Lymphosarcoma (LSA) is the most commonly reported lymphoid neoplasm in parrots.

Pathology of Natural Infections by H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

in Mute (Cygnus olor) and Whooper (Cygnus cygnus) Swans. Vet Pathol 44:137–143
(2007). multifocal hemorrhagic necrosis in the pancreas, pulmonary congestion and
edema, and subepicardial hemorrhages. Major histologic lesions were acute pancreatic
necrosis, multifocal necrotizing hepatitis, and lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis with
neuronal necrosis. Adrenals displayed consistently scattered cortical and medullary
necrosis. In spleen and Peyer’s patches, mild lymphocyte necrosis was present. In the
brain, a large number of neurons and glial cells, especially Purkinje cells, showed
immunostaining.

Pathology and Virus Tissue Distribution of Turkey Origin Reoviruses in

Experimentally Infected Turkey Poults. Vet Pathol 44:185–195 (2007). bursal
atrophy characterized by lymphoid depletion and increased fibroplasia between the bursal
follicles. Both IHC and ISH revealed viral antigen and RNA in the surface epithelial
cells of the bursa, in macrophages in the interstitium of the bursa and, to lesser degree, in
splenic red pulp macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells. The lymphoid depletion
observed in the bursa appears to be the effect of an indirectly induced apoptosis and
would most likely result in immune dysfunction in poults infected with TRV.

Pathologic Findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

A/Duck/Vietnam/12/05 (H5N1) in Experimentally Infected Pekin Ducks, Based on
Immunohistochemistry and In Situ Hybridization. Vet Pathol 44:635–642 (2007).
Clinical signs - conjunctivitis and slight depression, severe neurologic signs consisting of
torticollis, incoordination, tremors, and seizures. Gross lesions- hemorrhages in the
duodenum, ceca, proventriculus, ventriculus, trachea, pancreas, and brain. Histologic
lesions, as well as immunohistochemistry positivity, were recorded in the pancreas and
brain.

Fatal Coxiellosis in Swainson's Blue Mountain Rainbow Lorikeets Vet Path 2008 Mar: Clinical signs
= head pressing, hemiparesis, seizures, obtunded mentation. Grossly= hepatomegaly, splenomegaly; Histo=
disseminated microgranulomas in the liver, spleen, and brain, and lymphohistocytic perivascular
encephalitis and cephalic vasculitis. Bacteria were Gimenez and PAS positive.

Feather-picking Psittacines: Histopathology and Species Trends Vet Path 2008 May: Inflammatory
skin disease was diagnosed in 210 birds, and traumatic skin disease was diagnosed in 198 birds. The
inflammatory cells associated with the lesions were typically lymphocytes and occasionally plasma
cells, histiocytes, and granulocytes. The pattern and the cellular constitu- ents of the inflammation are
most suggestive of cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity.

Cutaneous Pythiosis in a Nestling White-faced Ibis. Vet Pathol 45:538–541 (2008). multifocal skin
ulceration. cutaneous infection by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum. The microscopic features of the
disease, including intense, necrotizing eosinophilic and granulomatous inflammation, are similar to those
previously described in mammals. oomycete hyphae that are blunt to sinuous, pauciseptate, and range from
3 to 7 um in diameter.

Naturally Occurring Multiple Perineuriomas in a Chicken (Gallus domesticus). Vet Pathol 45:685–
689 (2008). Nerves of the lumbosacral plexus, brachial plexus, and spinal ganglia. Diffuse proliferations
of spindle cells with characteristic onion bulb–like structures around residual axons. The spindle cells were
immunohistochemically positive for glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and negative for S-100 a/b protein.
Neoplasms that originate from the perineurium (perineuriomas) are classified into 2 types, intraneural
perineurioma and extraneural/soft tissue perineurioma. Schwannomas consist of tumors composed of
Schwann cells that are arranged in streams of elongated spindle cells. Neurofibromas are characterized by
proliferation of fibroblasts or perineurial cells in addition to Schwann cells.

Ganglioneuroma of the Brachial Plexus in Two Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Vet Pathol
45:690–692 (2008). Ganglioneuroma involving the brachial plexus, paraspinal ganglia, and cervical-
thoracic spinal cord. unilateral, firm, gelatinous white to tan multilobular mass at the thoracic inlet
expanding and partially obliterating the brachial plexus and cervical spinal cord. Histologically, the masses
were characterized by a locally infiltrative neoplasm comprised of spindyloid cells forming streams and
sheets with interspersed distinct neuron cell bodies consistent with ganglion cells. Ganglioneuromas are
composed of both mature ganglion cells and nerve fascicles with axons, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and
other connective tissue elements.

Pathologic and Immunohistochemical Studies of Newcastle Disease (ND) in Broiler Chickens

Vaccinated with ND: Severe Nonpurulent Encephalitis and Necrotizing Pancreatitis. Vet Pathol
45:928–933 (2008). Macroscopically, bursal atrophy, white spots on the pancreas, and discoloration and
enlargement of kidneys and spleen were observed in the broilers. Histologically, perivascular cuffing,
neuronal degeneration and necrosis, and glial proliferation were present in the cerebrum, cerebellum,
and medulla oblongata. There was extensive rarefaction and malacia in the parenchyma of severely
affected brains. There were extensive degeneration, necrosis, and depletion of acinar cells in the
pancreas. ND virus isolated from the present cases did not cause encephalitis or pancreatitis in specific-
pathogen- free chickens, but it induced mortality with hepatocytic sinusoidal thrombi, splenic necrosis,
lymphoid necrosis and depletion, and conjunctival hemorrhage. (Vaccine attenuated the infection making it
not as lethal and altering the tropism.)

Sarcocystis falcatula–associated encephalitis in a free-ranging great horned owl

(Bubo virginianus). J Vet Diagn Invest 21:283–287 (2009). Marked granulomatous
encephalitis with focal brainstem malacia was detected microscopically. The brainstem
was the most severely affected brain location and the only place in which schizonts and
merozoites, morphologically compatible with Sarcocystis spp., were detected.
Immunohistochemistry with the use of polyclonal antisera indicated the presence of
Sarcocystis falcatula. The species identification of the protozoa as S. falcatula was
confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Evidence for Clostridium septicum as a primary cause of cellulitis in commercial

turkeys. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:374–377 (2009). Turkey cellulitis is an acute diffuse
infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue with edema and moderate diffuse
heterophil infiltration of the subcutis. Clostridium septicum > Clostridium perfringens >
Clostridium sordelli.

Selective Vulnerability of Peripheral Nerves in Avian Riboflavin Deficiency Demyelinating

Polyneuropathy: Riboflavin deficiency in young, rapidly growing chickens produces selective injury to
peripheral nerve trunks, with relative sparing of spinal nerve roots and distal nerve branches to muscle and
skin.

Bilateral Nocardial Endophthalmitis in a Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea): severe

pyogranulomatous endophthalmitis with retinal necrosis and detachment with intralesional branching,
gram-positive, beaded, filamentous bacteria formed a thick mat attached to the retinal pigmented
epithelium and extending into the pecten.

Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus–Induced Histiocytic Sarcomatosis Occurs Only in Persistently

Viremic but Not Immunotolerized Meat-type Chickens: histiocytic sarcomatosis was observed only in
persistently viremic, meat-type chickens that were inoculated at hatch, but not in immunotolerized
(persistently viremic, with no antibodies), in ovo inoculated chickens. However, the immunotolerized, in
ovo inoculated chickens developed a high incidence of myeloid tumors. Spleen was consistently in all cases
of ALV-J induced HS, other organs involved were lung, liver, bone marrow and kidney.

Oligoastrocytoma of the Brain in a Hooded Crane: The tumor was composed of 2 discrete components
that resembled oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma. Oligodendrogliomatous cells were partially
immunoreactive for vimentin and myelin basic protein, and the astrogliomatous component were vimentin,
S-100, GFAP positive.

Adenoviral gizzard erosions in Italian chicken flocks. Veterinary Record (2009) 164,
54-56. Gross Lesions: gizzards- erosions variable in size, brown to black colour .
Histolopath: Multifocal loss or degeneration of the cuticle of the koilin layer, ulcers or
sloughing/flattening of glandular epithelium of the gizzards, associated with heterophils,
macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Large intranuclear basophilic inclusion
bodies in the enlarged nuclei of degenerating epithelial cells . Intranuclear and
perinuclear positive immunolabelling for fAdV-1. fAV-2 is Marble Spleen Disease of
pheasants and related to Hemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys

Pathogenesis of Newcastle disease (ND) in commercial & specific pathogen-free

(SPF) turkeys experimentally infected with isolates of different virulence. pp168-78.
March 2006 COVER JTP
- NCD < Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (Avulavirus)
- fusion protein major determinant of virulence; hemagglutinin-neuraminidase also
contributes
- lentogenic (low virulence): no CS
- mesogenic (moderate virulence): depression in some birds; some SPF w/mild
myocarditis
- velogenic (hi virulence, neurotropic or viscerotropic): severe depression + neuro signs
- lesions mostly in lymphoid, intestinal, & CNS tissues
- dz in turkeys less severe than in chickens
- chicken:
lentogenic = mild or inapparent respiratory infection
mesogenic = low mortality, acute respiratory dz, neuro signs in some
NVND = respiratory & neuro signs w/hi mortality
VVND = acute lethal, necrohemorrhagic lesions esp. in GIT
- IHC positive cells: lymphocytes, monocytes, myocytes, air sac epithelium,
Dendrites of Purkinje cells and glial cells in the molecular layer of the
cerebellum

Cerebellar hypoplasia associated w/an avian leukosis virus inducing fowl glioma.
pp294-301. May 2006 AR
• Fowl glioma-inducing virus (FGV) (in ALV subgroup A)→ astrocytoma, perineurioma
• Chickens inoculated w/FGV via yolk sac on day 7 incubation→ cerebellar hypoplasia
• Apoptotic granular cells were frequently observed in external granular layer and
molecular layer
• Cell loss induced obstruction of granular cell migration and disarrangement of
Bergmann's fibers in the molecular layer

Mycotic pododermatitis and mycotic pneumonia in commercial turkey poults in

northern California. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:554–557 (2009). The unique feature of
this case was the colonization of footpad epidermis and subcutis by fungal hyphae in
commercial turkey species. Cryptococcus saitoi and Cladosporium and Cudoniella
species were identified. The fungi identified from lungs were Aspergillus species,
most closely matching Aspergillus flavus and Arxiozyma telluris.

An Epizootic of Avian Pox in Endemic Short-toed Larks (Calandrella rufescens) and Berthelot's
Pipits (Anthus berthelotti) in the Canary Islands, Spain: The most common cutaneous form of avian
pox involves the unfeathered parts of the body: legs, feet, face at the base of the beak, and eyelids. Lesions
consist of epithelial hyperplasia of the epidermis resulting in proliferative, wartlike projections. With the
diphtheritic form, caseous, necrotic lesions develop in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory
tract, mouth and pharynx. Light microscopic evaluation of affected tissues can confirm the presence of the
typical large, solid or ringlike, eosinophilic intra-cytoplasmic inclusions known as Bollinger bodies.

Multiple Perineuriomas in Chicken: multiple enlargements of PNs in 11 chickens inoculated with an

avian leukosis virus (ALV) causing so-called fowl glioma. All chickens clinically exhibited progressive leg
paralysis. Lumbosacral plexus, brachial plexus, and/or spinal ganglion were commonly affected, and these
nerves contained a diffuse proliferation of spindle cells arranged concentrically in characteristic onion
bulb–like structures surrounded by residual axons and myelin sheaths. IHC negative for S-100 /ß protein.
EM: cells have short bipolar cytoplasmic processes, occasional cytoplasmic pinocytotic vesicles, and
discontinuous basal laminae. 73% birds were positive with ALV with PCR.

Pathology of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Infection in Canada

Geese (Branta canadensis): Preliminary Studies. Vet Pathol 46:966–970 (2009).
Immunohistochemistry was used to locate influenza A virus nucleoprotein in brain, spinal
cord, respiratory and digestive systems, pancreas, heart, and peripheral and
parasympathetic nervous systems. HPAI virus replicates in endothelial cells
throughout the vascular system during initial infection in chickens. Penetration of the
blood-brain barrier by virus is followed by infection of neurons and glial cells, and
concurrently virus is able to infect a wide variety of parenchymal cells in other organs.
focal neuronal pycnosis and mild edema, usually near or surrounding a capillary (Fig. 1).
Purkinje cell necrosis and gliosis was prominent in the cerebellum. Ependymal cells
lining the ventricles of the brain and spinal canal (Fig. 2) were surrounded by a
mild glial reaction, and focal gliosis w as present in some gray matter horns of
the spinal cord. Significant viral damage also occurred in many other organs,
including the heart, trachea, and pancreas.

Pathology and Virus Distribution in Chickens Naturally Infected with Highly

Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus (H7N7) During the 2003 Outbreak in The
Netherlands. Vet Pathol 46:971–976 (2009). Influenza virus antigen occurred in
endothelial cells and mononuclear cells, parenchymal cells of heart, lung, kidney,
pancreas, and trachea, often associated with multifocal inflammation and necrosis.
edematous wattle skin. Virus histochemistry showed that this H7N7 virus attached to
more endothelial cells in wattle skin than in other vascular beds.

West Nile virus detection in nonvascular feathers from avian carcasses. J Vet Diagn
Invest 21:616–622 (2009). Feathers of corvid passeriforms had the highest sensitivity of
detection (64%), followed by noncorvid passeriforms (43%), columbiforms (33%), and
falconiforms (31%). Storing feathers for 1 year at 220uC or at ambient room temperature
resulted in detection rates of infectious WNV of 16% and zero, respectively, but had no
effect on detection rates of WNV RNA in a subset of matched feather pairs (47% for
both storage temperatures). The efficacy of WNV detection in nonvascular feathers
is greatly enhanced by testing multiple feathers.

Pathology of natural highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection in wild

tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula). J Vet Diagn Invest 21:579–587 (2009). Gross: The
most prominent gross lesions were mildly to moderately congested lungs , red-brown
mottling of the pancreas, and moderately enlarged spleens The main histologic lesions
associated with the presence of avian influenza antigen were found in the brain,
pancreas, and upper respiratory tract. nonsuppurative encephalitis or meningo-
encephalitis. There were multifocal areas of gliosis, neuronophagia, and occasional
lymphocytes, as well as mild-to-moderate perivascular cuffs, with a predominance of
macrophages and lymphocytes in both the gray and white matter. Neurons within these
areas had degeneration or necrosis. In the nasal mucosa, a mild intraepithelial
infiltration of heterophils, especially in the lamina propria and deeper parts of the
epithelium. The lungs had marked congestion and hemorrhages. Fibrin thrombi
were occasionally observed in smaller vessels and capillaries. Inflammatory changes
were observed in the lungs of more than half of the cases (11/17) and ranged from
mild infiltration of heterophils in parabronchi to severe inflammation, with
necrofibrinous exudate and sloughed necrotic epithelial cells. Pancreatic lesions were
dominated by severe, acute, multifocal-to-coalescing coagulative necrosis of the acini.
Histologic, Immunohistochemical, and Electron Microscopic Features of a Unique
Pulmonary Tumor in Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus): Six Cases. Vet Pathol
46:1100–1108 (2009). compact sheets of anaplastic round to polygonal cells. All
tumors had a high mitotic index, and had occasional large clear to slightly basophilic
intranuclear inclusions (cytoplasmic invaginations). Neoplastic cells stained positive for
vimentin, lysozyme, and in 1 bird, pan cytokeratin. All 6 pulmonary neoplasms
were negative for avian polyomavirus. may be poorly differentiated carcinomas of
pulmonary or thymic origin.